Science

amortentia

Hi, I'm in 6th year and considering the Science course in Maynooth. I've searched the forum and I can't find specific information regarding this. Does anyone do Maths, Experimental Physics, Mathematical Physics and Computer Science? How do you find it, especially Computer Science? This course is very appealing because of the way I'm able to combine Computer Science and Physics, but I'd be commuting and there's no point if I could do Science (but without computers) in a college in Dublin and it would be pretty much the same. So basically, do you think the Computer Science module is worth it? Sorry this post is very convoluted, I'd appreciate any information at all

LeixlipRed

Can't comment on the other stuff but Maths is compulsory in 1st year and it would be a great combination with any of those subjects in later years.

squishykins

Is this not supposed to be asked in the course info thread...? I don't mean to be a bitch like, but yeah

Seren_

amyputz wrote: »

Is this not supposed to be asked in the course info thread...? I don't mean to be a bitch like, but yeah

Somebody wants to be mod but yeah it is meant to go in that thread.

Amortentia - I know a few people doing Computer Science, and they seem to really like it. Quite a few people who post here seem to do it too, so I'm sure you'll get a good few replies about it.

Oh and look through the other stickies at the top of the forum too. A wealth of info if you're thinking of coming to NUIM ^_^

amortentia

Sorry, looked through all 20 or so pages of that thread and didnt even think to post it in there, silly me.

Thanks very much for the helpful info, good to see that people like it anyway.

squishykins

Your Text Here wrote: »

Somebody wants to be mod

Whoooo, me? Neverrrr! :P

Also, maths is amazing. maths is wonderful. Yay maths! =D

philologos

OP: I do Computer Science through Arts, and I'd recommend it at least for getting a good enough foundation into programming, and computer systems. If you are interested in computers already you should do well. If you are not then I would recommend that you stick with the others.

Mastroph

I do all of those subjects, I'm in first year.
Computer science is probably my favourite of the 4 right now, the course is really interesting, and there's a lot of practical work, programming in Java. If you're into computers already it's easy enough as well. So far all the lecturers and demonstrators are really helpful and friendly. Can't reccommend it enough, totally worth taking it if you have an interest in computers.

amortentia

Mastroph wrote: »

I do all of those subjects, I'm in first year.
Computer science is probably my favourite of the 4 right now, the course is really interesting, and there's a lot of practical work, programming in Java. If you're into computers already it's easy enough as well. So far all the lecturers and demonstrators are really helpful and friendly. Can't reccommend it enough, totally worth taking it if you have an interest in computers.

Sounds good, thank you! How do you find the Physics and Maths? I'm into computers so it sounds like I'd enjoy it. I think this course will be my second choice.

Mastroph

amortentia wrote: »

Sounds good, thank you! How do you find the Physics and Maths? I'm into computers so it sounds like I'd enjoy it. I think this course will be my second choice.

I can only account for first semester, of course, but the maths is around higher level leaving cert maths level, but if you find it tough there's a huge amount of support available in the forms of tutorials and the Maths Support Centre.

The first half of 1st semester experimental physics is mostly leaving cert physics, so if you've done that already you'll be grand there. The second half is earth science and astrophysics, which is really interesting, learning about types of stars and galaxies and black holes and the structure of the earth and stuff.

Mathematical physics is a lot like leaving cert applied maths so far, but we've also covered special relativity and touched on general relativity, which are hugely interesting but can be a little tough to get your head around.

That's all I have to say really. There's lots of support for anyone who's struggling, but still enough challenge that you won't be bored to death.

Alo, I personally find Maynooth in general to be a lot more friendly and close-knit than bigger colleges like UCD, and there will always someone to drink with if you're so inclined.

Maynooth!

manna

I personally loved maths physics when I was doing it, and a little part of me regrets dropping it. I know a few people who didn't do physics in leaving cert who struggled to keep up because they didn't put in the groundwork at the start of the year.

Maths is compulsory in first year and second year if you're doing computer science (or at least it was in my day). If you're numerically minded (as you seem to be, judging by the subjects you're interested in), and go to the lectures, you shouldn't have a problem.

I tried computer science back in first year and only lasted three lectures, but that's just me. My friends who came to Maynooth with an interest in it stuck with it and really enjoy it. All in all I think it's a great course and recommend sticking it on your CAO form.

bobafro

amortentia wrote: »

Hi, I'm in 6th year and considering the Science course in Maynooth. I've searched the forum and I can't find specific information regarding this. Does anyone do Maths, Experimental Physics, Mathematical Physics and Computer Science? How do you find it, especially Computer Science? This course is very appealing because of the way I'm able to combine Computer Science and Physics, but I'd be commuting and there's no point if I could do Science (but without computers) in a college in Dublin and it would be pretty much the same. So basically, do you think the Computer Science module is worth it? Sorry this post is very convoluted, I'd appreciate any information at all

Hello, I'm in my 7th year here in NUIM. With a degree in Physics with Astrophysics.
In the first year of my degree i did the 4 subjects you mentioned. For me computer science was a fantastic asset for the computational physics modules that you do in 3rd year and 4th year of physics.
1st year computer science involved JAVA programming when i did it and despite that being removed for a few years i think they are back doing JAVA again. It's a little bit different to the languages you would use for physics but learning the skills nessecary for programming are very transferable to other languages.

In 3rd year mathematical physics, the computational physics course revolves around a higher level application/language called MATLAB and computer science probably won't help as much with this.

However,in 3rd year experimental physics, the computational physics course is taught through C++ and programming skills learned in computer science would be a huge help here. 4th year computational physics uses an application called Labwindows which is based around the C language and again computer science will definitely help here. There are other languages that you will learn in physics (like LABView) that a general understanding of programming will be a huge asset.

In short, if physics is something you are interested in the long run... programming is something that you will 100% have to be proficient at, so starting as early as possible is a great idea.

As far as the course structure un maynooth goes, you do have to tak maths in 1st year and it's heavily suggested that if you want to do computer science in second year that you also do maths in second year. But if you have hons. maths for the leaving cert and are doing mathematical physics you should be able to wrangle yourself out of doing maths in second year and do both physics courses along with computer science.

Hope this was a bit of help. Any questions, send me a PM