B.A. (Maths & Education) as Mature Student

fun.bobby1981

Hi folks,

I've applied through CAO to do the B.A. (Maths & Education) in NUIG as a full-time mature student.

I've done the MSAP exam & I'm coming to the end of a foundation course in Maths & Science (just to bolster my application).

I've been told by the mature students office that the entry criteria will come down to a combination of my grade for Maths in the foundation course plus my grade in the MSAP.

While I'm not worried in the slightest about the Maths end of things (if I was, I should hardly be applying for the course), I'm not really the best when it comes to structured writing, as I've more of a logical brain & I've been working in that vein for the past 7 years.

My question (after all that) is, does anyone have a rough idea about what level of a mark in the MSAP exam would be required to get offered a place in the BA in NUIG?

While I know it can vary year on year depending on relative results, it would be nice to have a rough idea, as I'm expecting results in a coupel of weeks & places wont be offered until July.

Would save me a lot of nail-biting etc, so if theres anybody thats done the MSAP exam & gotten a place on an Arts degree in NUIG, drop me a line to let me know ...?

Thanks in advance,
FB

Ficheall

I know nothing about MSAP, I'm afraid, but half the students in NUIG couldn't write a properly structured sentence to save their lives.

From your post alone, I would say that you should be just fine.

fun.bobby1981

Ficheall wrote: »

I know nothing about MSAP, I'm afraid, but half the students in NUIG couldn't write a properly structured sentence to save their lives.

From your post alone, I would say that you should be just fine.

Haha, I suppose thats oddly comforting ... Cheers Ficheall!! :-)

fun.bobby1981

Also, if there's anybody thats doing this course at the moment, pleaes let me know what its like in terms of any or all of the below:

- quality of subject matter
- quality of lecturers
- availability of relevant textbooks (new/used/library)
- how difficult is it to organise practical experience with schools
- timetable intensity
- level of additional work needed
- anything els ethat might be relevant

Thanks a mill.
FB

niamhocxox

Hey FB! I'm in first year in this course
I don't know anything about the MSAP thing but here is an overview of the course. There are 26 in my year, 16 girls and 10 boys On the maths side, this year we have studied analysis and algebra and applied maths. In education we did the history and structure of education, principles of 2nd level maths, educational technology, introduction to psychology and also sociology.
Your questions......
- quality of subject matter
The maths subjects we studied this year were analysis and algebra and also applied maths. I never did physics so I was expecting to hate applied maths but I love it. I thought I'd love analysis and algebra but I didn't really......its totally different to secondary school in that its all letters etc and personally I like being given problems to solve It does depend on the lecturer though. I loved analysis last semester because the lecturer was so nice and helpful but I'm not too keen on the lecturer this semester so it kinda put me off it

- quality of lecturers
Unfortunately I have to say the majority (but not all) the maths lecturers aren't great. They are incredibly talented but its like they just can't seem to get the information across effectively......as for the education lecturers, in general they are fantastic and so approachable. Some of the maths ones are very helpful too but others you just know there is no point even asking them for help.

- availability of relevant textbooks (new/used/library)
The library here in NUIG is brilliant and will have everything you need. In the education department there is a resource library too which is great. We didn't need to buy any books in first year by the way.

- how difficult is it to organize practical experience with schools
In first year we only do observation in a primary school and had to write a report on it. We do work experience in 2nd and 3rd year and as far as I know, we cannot choose the school ourselves.

- timetable intensity
The timetable isn't intense at all, roughly 15 hours a week including tutorials.

- level of additional work needed
If you attend every class and tutorial you should do really well but I do think it is a good idea to keep up by studying every week so you find the exams easier at the end.

- anything else that might be relevant
This really is a fantastic unique course. Its challenging but very enjoyable, you'll love it
I can answer any other questions you have
You've probably already looked at this but just incase its a good outline of the course.
http://www.nuigalway.ie/education/ite/ba_mathsed/ba_mathsed.html

fun.bobby1981 wrote: »

Also, if there's anybody thats doing this course at the moment, pleaes let me know what its like in terms of any or all of the below:

- quality of subject matter
- quality of lecturers
- availability of relevant textbooks (new/used/library)
- how difficult is it to organise practical experience with schools
- timetable intensity
- level of additional work needed
- anything els ethat might be relevant

Thanks a mill.
FB

niamhocxox

fun.bobby1981 wrote: »

Hi folks,

I've applied through CAO to do the B.A. (Maths & Education) in NUIG as a full-time mature student.

I've done the MSAP exam & I'm coming to the end of a foundation course in Maths & Science (just to bolster my application).

I've been told by the mature students office that the entry criteria will come down to a combination of my grade for Maths in the foundation course plus my grade in the MSAP.

While I'm not worried in the slightest about the Maths end of things (if I was, I should hardly be applying for the course), I'm not really the best when it comes to structured writing, as I've more of a logical brain & I've been working in that vein for the past 7 years.

My question (after all that) is, does anyone have a rough idea about what level of a mark in the MSAP exam would be required to get offered a place in the BA in NUIG?

While I know it can vary year on year depending on relative results, it would be nice to have a rough idea, as I'm expecting results in a coupel of weeks & places wont be offered until July.

Would save me a lot of nail-biting etc, so if theres anybody thats done the MSAP exam & gotten a place on an Arts degree in NUIG, drop me a line to let me know ...?

Thanks in advance,
FB

I think you should contact one of these, they are the course co-ordinators of the Maths and Education course so they might be able to tell you about the MSAP.
They are lovely by the way
Dr. Catherine Paolucci, School of Education [URL="javascript:mail('catherine.paolucci');"]catherine.paoluccinuigalway.ie[/URL]
Dr. Kevin Jennings, School of Mathematics, Statistics & Applied Mathematics [URL="javascript:mail('kevin.jennings');"]kevin.jenningsnuigalway.ie[/URL]

fun.bobby1981

Hey thanks Niamh ... thats some great info!
I had actually spoken with Kevin & Catherine already but they were quick, unscheduled chats. They both seem really nice alright & said if I had any more questions to give them a shout, but I think its better to get the student viewpoint on a lot of things.

Thats really made me feel at ease about the course now.
Like I said, I'm doing the Foundation Maths/Science course at the college currently, more to get the brain back into the practice of learning before I hit the full-time!

Wow, 15 hours a week sounds like a nice easy timetable, but like you say, its the additional work that'll be the important part. Obviously plenty time left in the day for additional researching etc.

Glad to hear from someone who's enjoying the course, as its getting me pretty excited about it now! I just hope I can sort something out work-wise so I can actually start the course in September, as opposed to deferring!

Sounds like you're doing well in your first year anyway!
Hope the exams go well for you!!


BTW ... I was reading up on the NUIG website about the different years & it was mentioned that some students begin to work towards setting a base for their final year projects right from the start of the course. Is there much emphasis being put on that side of things in the first year?

Thanks a mill again.
FB

niamhocxox

fun.bobby1981 wrote: »

Hey thanks Niamh ... thats some great info!
I had actually spoken with Kevin & Catherine already but they were quick, unscheduled chats. They both seem really nice alright & said if I had any more questions to give them a shout, but I think its better to get the student viewpoint on a lot of things.

Thats really made me feel at ease about the course now.
Like I said, I'm doing the Foundation Maths/Science course at the college currently, more to get the brain back into the practice of learning before I hit the full-time!

Wow, 15 hours a week sounds like a nice easy timetable, but like you say, its the additional work that'll be the important part. Obviously plenty time left in the day for additional researching etc.

Glad to hear from someone who's enjoying the course, as its getting me pretty excited about it now! I just hope I can sort something out work-wise so I can actually start the course in September, as opposed to deferring!

Sounds like you're doing well in your first year anyway!
Hope the exams go well for you!!


BTW ... I was reading up on the NUIG website about the different years & it was mentioned that some students begin to work towards setting a base for their final year projects right from the start of the course. Is there much emphasis being put on that side of things in the first year?

Thanks a mill again.
FB

Hey I'm glad your excited! When I was deciding on the course I couldn't find anyone who was in it to tell me how great it was!

There is a mature student in my year and I don't think she did the course your doing so she had to work hard this year but at least you'll be well prepared!

The timetable is really good except for the 2 to 3 hour breaks each day.....good opportunity to hit the library though. It also allowed me to do volunteering in the evenings, you might want to do some too?

About the final project, I knew that we have one because its on the course outline on the website but I know the majority of my class wouldn't know. It hasn't been mentioned to us in person either so really there is no emphasis on it at all this year.

I hope it all works out for you and best of luck with everything! I'll hopefully see you here in September and feel free to PM anytime about the course!

fun.bobby1981

Hey there,

Hope you're well.
How did your exams go for you this summer? Enjoying the break already I hope.

Got the offer from CAO last week & I've accepted it, so I'll be at college come Spetmebre, thank God!!

Was just wondering if you have an answer to a question though.
Was wondering about start dates & all that & I can see that for the school of arts, there is an orientation weekend, usually in the 2nd weekend of September. Do you know if this is the same for all course under the Arts umbrella, or is that just the Arts omnibus course?

If you know off the top of your head, that would be great!
If not, dont worry.

Enjoy the summer & will probably see ya next year at some stage!
Thanks again for all the info on the course.

Rob

niamhocxox

fun.bobby1981 wrote: »

Hey there,

Hope you're well.
How did your exams go for you this summer? Enjoying the break already I hope.

Got the offer from CAO last week & I've accepted it, so I'll be at college come Spetmebre, thank God!!

Was just wondering if you have an answer to a question though.
Was wondering about start dates & all that & I can see that for the school of arts, there is an orientation weekend, usually in the 2nd weekend of September. Do you know if this is the same for all course under the Arts umbrella, or is that just the Arts omnibus course?

If you know off the top of your head, that would be great!
If not, dont worry.

Enjoy the summer & will probably see ya next year at some stage!
Thanks again for all the info on the course.

Rob

Hi Rob!

I'm good, passed all my exams back in April so I'm well into my summer now!

Congratulations on your acceptance into the course, I really hope you love it just as much as I do.

Here is all the info on the dates http://www.nuigalway.ie/academic_dates/academic_term_dates.html

Yes the orientation is the same for all arts and we do fall under that umbrella. To be honest you won't get much out of the orientation at all because a lot of it is on the subjects you can choose from etc which has nothing to do with us.

Just read the information pack you will receive in the post a few weeks before the orientation and you will know everything on the college itself and its facilities etc.

Hope this helps!

fun.bobby1981

niamhocxox wrote: »

Yes the orientation is the same for all arts and we do fall under that umbrella. To be honest you won't get much out of the orientation at all because a lot of it is on the subjects you can choose from etc which has nothing to do with us.

Cool yeah thanks thats a great help!
Its unreal the amount of outdated crap thats floating around on that website ... makes it impossible to find the current version of what you're looking for!

Anyway, yeah I'll have a look at all the info they send to me.
I'm waiting to hear from Boston Scientific about the possibility of a night shift job to keep me going through the course & to pay my tuition, so it'll be a hard slog, but I'll get through it!

Glad that you passed your exams anyway. Good luck next year!
Thanks for all the help!!

Rob