UCC physics vs. TCD physics

dog_pig

I have to decide which college to put on top of my CAO in the next few days and so far I really am lost as to which one to choose, so I'm looking for a bit of help from you guys.

I'd be happy doing either theoretical physics or one of the physics specialisations done through the science course in Trinity so it really just does come down to a choice between the two colleges.

I've lived in both Cork and Dublin and so I have experience of both of the cities and wouldn't mind living in either.

So would anyone like to offer opinion one why I should go to either college to do physics?

Morbert

dog_pig wrote: »

I have to decide which college to put on top of my CAO in the next few days and so far I really am lost as to which one to choose, so I'm looking for a bit of help from you guys.

I'd be happy doing either theoretical physics or one of the physics specialisations done through the science course in Trinity so it really just does come down to a choice between the two colleges.

I've lived in both Cork and Dublin and so I have experience of both of the cities and wouldn't mind living in either.

So would anyone like to offer opinion one why I should go to either college to do physics?

I have experience with both physics departments and both are very good. However, if it is theoretical physics you are looking at then Trinity does have an edge over UCC. The quantum field theory and general relativity courses, which are the bread and butter of theoretical physics, are more thoroughly explored in Trinity.

dog_pig

Morbert wrote: »

I have experience with both physics departments and both are very good. However, if it is theoretical physics you are looking at then Trinity does have an edge over UCC. The quantum field theory and general relativity courses, which are the bread and butter of theoretical physics, are more thoroughly explored in Trinity.

Thanks for the insight.

However if you took TP out of the situation and compared both respective departments overall, which would you recommend?

Is Trinity's international reputation a considerable factor?

dog_pig

Bump

SOL

I'd say if you want to continue in physics in research then definitely tcd, you are very much right about the relative international reputations... some will dissagree but tbh the reality is how it is...

raah!

I am planning ot transfer to ucc from trinity this coming semester start up. I'll tell you after a year then :P

amen

I'd say if you want to continue in physics in research then definitely tcd

what sort of research ? If its optices/sensors then why not DUC ?
If astronomy then why not UCG ?

such a blanket statement that tcd is better is crazy

SOL

Well no, tbh it's not really. Given that he hasn't even started his degree yet then it is unlikely that he will know the specific area of research into which he would like to go, but even if he does then having a degree from a better recognised institution will make it easier to enter postgraduate positions. It will also help him to get into better research positions as an undergraduate. Obviously there are exceptions to this in very specialised cases, but from the sound of this I don't think this is one of those. So yes if the OP has his heart set on a very specific thing and he knows that there is one researcher in a particular institution who he feels will open the right doors and he thinks that by doing his degree there he will be able to make that connection then he should go for that.

Otherwise TCD remains the better choice.

KnifeWRENCH

I'm going into my final year of Physics with Math Science in September. The standard of lecturing in the Physics department of UCC is pretty good in general; some lecturers are better than others obviously but that's the way it is everywhere.

After first year, there are a few different degree paths you can take:
*Single Honours Physics (by far the most popular choice, or it was in my year anyway)
*Astrophysics (you do Single Honours for 2nd year and move into Astro in 3rd year)
*Joint Honours; Physics and Pure Maths (which is what I do)
*Joint Honours; Physics and Applied Maths (which is a lot more popular than the Pure math option!)
*Education in Physical Sciences (afaik, this allows you to become a qualified secondary school science teacher without having to do further training afterwards.)
*Chemical Physics (not sure if this will still be offered in future, as hardly anyone takes it)

Anyway, if any of those degree paths sounds like what you want than pick UCC. But if Theoretical Physics is what you're after, I'd say stick with Trinity.