Science TR071

Iceuil

Thanks so much guys, helped me a lot!

1sparkey

Hi guys, just a quick question. Im currently a junior freshman in science and was planning to pick 8 modules in biology next year along with geology. I think this is possible , if so , do you know anyone that picked 8 biology modules before and how did they find it. Was it to many labs or to much work, any info you have would be great. Thanks.

Hollzy

I think most people who do biology do eight modules. I am anyway. Still in second year so I only have half the year done. I think second year is a lot of work no matter what modules you pick to be honest!

1sparkey

Hi Hollzy, Thats good to hear, really wasnt sure if many took 8. It makes sense for me, as I plan on going on to do something biology related. Hope next semester goes well for you , thanks again.

Hollzy

Yeah, I want to do zoology myself so I decided to do as much biology as possible! And I do geology as well. Some parts are more interesting than others, but I have no regrets about picking it.

Jammyc

SS here, most people going for a biology based moderatorship did 8 biology modules in SF year. I did and so did pretty much all of my classmates.

zuluin

Does anyone know that if I choose genetics on the cao form, would I have the option to pick my own modules or else will I be assigned modules? Also if yes how would I find out which modules I am assigned prior to applying to cao. My final question is how are the job prospects in genetics?

You select modules the week before lectures start. I don't remember anything "filling up" so you can do whatever modules you want. I'll leave the job prospects bit to someone else.

fishtastico

zuluin wrote: »

Does anyone know that if I choose genetics on the cao form, would I have the option to pick my own modules or else will I be assigned modules? Also if yes how would I find out which modules I am assigned prior to applying to cao. My final question is how are the job prospects in genetics?

From what I recall, you can either select Natural Sciences or Human Genetics on the CAO if you want to do Genetics. If you go through the Natural Sciences route, you pick your modules and then specialise in third year.

If you want to do it this way, you have to compete for places in the Genetics course at the end of second year, much like in the Leaving Cert. If you pick Human Genetics on your CAO and get the points, you go right in.

As far as jobs are concerned, you can opt for a career in research, which would mean doing a PhD (not an easy route), or try to get a job as some kind of analyst. Doing a Bachelor's degree in science doesn't really "qualify" you do do genetics or anything else for that matter. I did Microbiology and most of the people that graduated with me are in jobs entirely unrelated to the subject, and this is common for all fields.

In terms of ease of getting a job, nobody is going to knock down your door because you have a BA in Genetics, but you should go for it if it interests you.

zuluin

I really want to study general science instead of human genetics because there is more options for math modules, but I am a bit worried that I might not do well in maths. I have looked at the tutorial questions in some of the maths modules and they look scary. I got an a1 in maths and a2 in applied maths. Would anyone have an idea as to how hard the maths is?

bscm

zuluin wrote: »

I really want to study general science instead of human genetics because there is more options for math modules, but I am a bit worried that I might not do well in maths. I have looked at the tutorial questions in some of the maths modules and they look scary. I got an a1 in maths and a2 in applied maths. Would anyone have an idea as to how hard the maths is?

If you're getting those grades now, you shouldn't find the Maths modules to be a problem.

leaveiton

zuluin wrote: »

I really want to study general science instead of human genetics because there is more options for math modules, but I am a bit worried that I might not do well in maths. I have looked at the tutorial questions in some of the maths modules and they look scary. I got an a1 in maths and a2 in applied maths. Would anyone have an idea as to how hard the maths is?

You should have no problem with grades like that and if you're interested in maths. I was really worried going in as I had a very bad teacher for leaving cert maths but so far I haven't had any major problems with the material.

YoursSincerely

Hi, its time to fill out my Cao and i am stuck between theoretical physics and physics though this science degree. I was just wondering is there very big competition for places on the physics courses when specialising in third year? Also if i was hoping to go into research in physics or a research and product development lab for a company would it be better to do physics through science or the theoretical physics degree?

Thanks in advance:)

fungie

YoursSincerely wrote: »

Hi, its time to fill out my Cao and i am stuck between theoretical physics and physics though this science degree. I was just wondering is there very big competition for places on the physics courses when specialising in third year? Also if i was hoping to go into research in physics or a research and product development lab for a company would it be better to do physics through science or the theoretical physics degree?

Thanks in advance:)

When I was doing science (2010) there was no competition for physics, once you passed the exams you were in.

As for research there wouldn't be much difference, alot of TP's end up doing experimental work and they do the only a bit less lab work than physics students while in college.

overall, id say TP gives you more options.

ride-the-spiral

Even if you find you want to change, it is easy enough to move from one to the other (although its harder to move into TP in later years.)

I'd go with TP (although I am in TP...) because if you want to switch to physics or maths at any stage up to the start of 3rd year you can quite easily.

SligoBrewer

ride-the-spiral wrote: »

Even if you find you want to change, it is easy enough to move from one to the other (although its harder to move into TP in later years.)

I'd go with TP (although I am in TP...) because if you want to switch to physics or maths at any stage up to the start of 3rd year you can quite easily.

You can switch up until the beginning of 4th year into Experimental Physics anyways.

Vito Corleone

What would your average day be like? Is there many early starts? Much group work? Do you have to turn up all the time or can you miss certain days and get notes on what you've missed?

What sort of lab work do you do?

I'm talking about if you were to choose Biology as one of the subjects, btw.

Lawliet

Vito Corleone wrote: »

What would your average day be like? Is there many early starts? Much group work? Do you have to turn up all the time or can you miss certain days and get notes on what you've missed?

What sort of lab work do you do?

I'm talking about if you were to choose Biology as one of the subjects, btw.

Your average day depends on what other subjects you're taking. Generally Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning you'll have lectures and tutorials, Thursday and Friday are usually just labs. From what I remember first year was mostly 10 o'clock starts, you could get the odd 9 o'clock or late start depending on labs and tutorials but those are different for everyone. You work in pairs in labs but are assessed individually so no group projects there.
Labs are compulsory, miss too many without a doctors note and your tutor will be contacting you to find out why, you may also get a slap on the wrist called a 'Non-satisfactory.' Get a couple of NS and they stop you from sitting exams. That's an extreme case though, I haven't heard of it happening. But really going to labs is important, if you fail an exam and your attendance there is bad no one is going to be very sympathetic.
For lectures, you're going to be in a big hall, with poor lighting, over 300 other students and attendance is rarely taken. You could miss every lecture and no one would notice. Notes are available online as well.

Lab work in the first biology module is split between genetics and microbiology. You'll be doing things like spectrometry, chromatography, gel electrolysis, PCR, and enzyme assays. For the microbiology stuff they make sure you can use a microscope, prepare and examine slides properly, you'll be catching and growing some microbes floating around the place and learning some staining techniques.
The second biology module was more plant and animal focused. There were photosynthesis experiments, dissections of worms and prawns, an assignment to play with a computer program that showed evolution, and I remember spending one lab looking at pictures of bees with different stripes, but I don't fully remember what the purpose of that was.

Hope that was somewhat helpful!

Vito Corleone

Lawliet wrote: »

Hope that was somewhat helpful!

Very helpful, thanks.

Iceuil

Could anybody please give any advice to us, poor 2nd years, doing microbiology MCQ tomorrow? Thank you!

Lawliet

Iceuil wrote: »

Could anybody please give any advice to us, poor 2nd years, doing microbiology MCQ tomorrow? Thank you!

I don't remember too much about it tbh, but know the online gallery if you don't already, a good few questions came from there. RR generally prefers to ask about background knowledge rather than techniques, if he left anything supplementary on the BTC read it. The lab book alone won't get you a good mark unfortunately. And its negative marking so don't guess too much, you're not doing yourself any favours.
Being a bit pessimistic here I know, but this is a tough one to do well on.

nommm

Ugh really? He told us that the online gallery things were 'just for fun'. Hopefully, I'll be able to scrape a pass with what I've learnt so far.

Lawliet

nommm wrote: »

Ugh really? He told us that the online gallery things were 'just for fun'. Hopefully, I'll be able to scrape a pass with what I've learnt so far.

Maybe its changed since last year, but it barely mentioned to us and then we were hit with several questions from it

Iceuil

Thank you so much! The MCQ wasnt as bad as I expected

Dropping No Eaves

Could anybody tell me how important having the science subjects for LC is? I only have Bio and Geo and am worried ill be at a huge disadvantage.

bscm

Dropping No Eaves wrote: »

Could anybody tell me how important having the science subjects for LC is? I only have Bio and Geo and am worried ill be at a huge disadvantage.

I only sat Physics, no other "Science" subject. Most lectures courses in First Year start at a "basic level" (a few lectures going over introductory things, before moving onto "now this is what that LC topic/related topic really meant").

Chemistry and Physics would be considered to be the most "challenging" modules to start from scratch, but you only need Physics for Physics/Astrophysics and Chemistry has an introductory week for people who haven't sat it as a Leaving Cert subject.

Geology, Geography and Maths are pretty straightforward modules. If you're anyway comfortable at Maths, stick with the full modules instead of doing Maths Methods.

Sparticle

Dropping No Eaves wrote: »

Could anybody tell me how important having the science subjects for LC is? I only have Bio and Geo and am worried ill be at a huge disadvantage.

You can get away with not doing chemistry for the LC but should you want to do physics/astrophysics starting from scratch might be a bit too much. It's not impossible but you have to have a really firm grip on maths.

You choose modules btw so if you don't want to do physics you don't have to subject yourself to it.

DancingQueen:)

Dropping No Eaves wrote: »

Could anybody tell me how important having the science subjects for LC is? I only have Bio and Geo and am worried ill be at a huge disadvantage.

I only had Biology and Geography too and it didn't put me at any huge disadvantage!

It was a little tough taking up Chemistry in 1st year but they have extra classes/tutorials to help you out and once you put in a bit of effort (Youtube/Khan Academy were a big help) you should be fine. I didn't do Chemistry in 2nd year though, dropped it to focus on Geog and Bio.

You can pick what modules you want to do (although you do have to make up a certain amount of credits) so you can avoid some of the ones you're not interested in!

Dropping No Eaves

That's good to hear thanks for the replies! Do many people who take up Chem keep it on passed Year 1? Unfortunately I'm quite weak at maths.

DancingQueen:)

Dropping No Eaves wrote: »

That's good to hear thanks for the replies! Do many people who take up Chem keep it on passed Year 1? Unfortunately I'm quite weak at maths.

Yeah, I think they majority of people in my year did anyway! There were still a good few people who dropped it for Geography/Geology though.

Maths Methods is pretty straight forward in 1st year and probably the way to go if you think full maths will be a bit too much.