Electives

aine92

I know some people will prob be going mad at this buuut... does anybody know of any easy-ish electives I could take? I got great ones last year and it took so much worry away from the final exams.

Anybody any ideas?

Conor108

I did Earth, Environment & Society last year. Was reaalllly boring but the assessment was just an MCQ for the midterm and another MCQ for the final. Human health & disease is supposed to be good I think.

**Timbuk2**

Introductory Statistics (STAT10010) - fairly easy, good lecturer, and a good knowledge of statistics is always useful no matter what your degree program, especially those involving research and studies, etc.

Davidius

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics sounds easy enough.

Conor108

Davidius wrote: »

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics sounds easy enough.

lol'd before realising Intro Quantum Mechanics is core for me this year

parker kent

I say this a lot, but one person's easy module does not translate to being universally easy.

MissRealist

Cognitive Science - COMP20090 (I think!) Interesting and relatively easy. No knowledge of science necessary 40% short question midterm exam (Most my class came out of that with 60% of the marks or higher... Final is essay questions... only need to be about a page and a half long and reasonably predictable... 3 of them if memory serves... Easiest A I've ever had in my life

unknown13

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Introductory Statistics (STAT10010) - fairly easy, good lecturer, and a good knowledge of statistics is always useful no matter what your degree program, especially those involving research and studies, etc.

Tim, I am not having a go at you but people should know you do a maths based degree and you are good at maths.

I know too many people who did that module last year because it is now a mandatory / core module for Sociology and they raved about it. They said the lecturer was shít, it was confusing and very hard.

amtaxi

unknown13 wrote: »

Tim, I am not having a go at you but people should know you do a maths based degree and you are good at maths.

I know too many people who did that module last year because it is now a mandatory / core module for Sociology and they raved about it. They said the lecturer was shít, it was confusing and very hard.

One class even had a class party the night of that exam because they never would have to do the module again.

I thought it is only fair I give my account about what I have heard about the module in question.

did this last year - only because I had to! Managed to get a B+ but most people failed! Lectures awful! Gave up going - decided to teach myself - asked questions in lectures and was not helped in anyway! Would not advise anyone to do this unless it's a core and you have no choice or maths is really really your thing!

Who lectured STAT10010 last year? It looks like a useful module to me, for students in politics and social science, say, or something similar, who want a taste of stats.

If it was Dr. Gormley, the module co-ordinator, who took the lectures then I'm surprised. I had her before and she was very clear. One of the better stats lecturers in the college.

Is it at all possible that the students were just thrown by having to do stats at all, in a course where they didn't expect to see so many numbers?

aine92

Has anybody any idea if theres a WW2 module offered? I've looked but can't find one

Conor108

Theres Nazi Germany HIS20820. Probably the closest, it's a level 2 history module.

Your best bets look like Modern Europe (not really that relevant) and Nazi Germany (a bit more specific than you might have been looking for).

As for easy electives, they don't come much easier than:
Social Computing and Media.

flag123

Does anyone know when Elective Reg opens?

Thanks!

aine92

flag123 wrote: »

Does anyone know when Elective Reg opens?

Thanks!

29th which is Monday coming!

Conor108 and Conorstuff, I'm not doing a history related course in anyway I just absolutely love WW2 stuff, do you think they'd be awfully hard considering? I've read Mein Kampf and other books but that's about the extent of it!

Conor108

aine92 wrote: »

29th which is Monday coming!

Conor108 and Conorstuff, I'm not doing a history related course in anyway I just absolutely love WW2 stuff, do you think they'd be awfully hard considering? I've read Mein Kampf and other books but that's about the extent of it!

I'm doing astro so I've never done a history module, couldn't tell you if it's difficult! Theres no requirements for that module anyway, did you do history for the leaving?

Fad

What's the intro to Astronomy module like?

kkumk

aine92 wrote: »

Has anybody any idea if theres a WW2 module offered? I've looked but can't find one

GER20030 is a really good module about Nazi Germany, and its pretty basic, although I know that's subjective :rolleyes: But if you've done Leaving Cert History you should definetly get at least a B+.
Assesment is one 10 min presentation worth 30%, topics include Nazi Propaganda, Roots of Nazi Ideology, Mein Kampf, Hitler's Foreign Policy etc etc. Then there's two in class exams at the end of the year, 1 hour each, and they're based on everyones presentation so you're guaranteed a question on your topic and then you can just learn off whichever other presentation you found interesting! (2 questions in total!) And although its a German module its taught through English so anyone can do it!

http://www.ucd.ie/students/course_search.htm

**Timbuk2**

unknown13 wrote: »

Tim, I am not having a go at you but people should know you do a maths based degree and you are good at maths.

I know too many people who did that module last year because it is now a mandatory / core module for Sociology and they raved about it. They said the lecturer was shít, it was confusing and very hard.

Deleted User wrote: »

Who lectured STAT10010 last year? It looks like a useful module to me, for students in politics and social science, say, or something similar, who want a taste of stats.

If it was Dr. Gormley, the module co-ordinator, who took the lectures then I'm surprised. I had her before and she was very clear. One of the better stats lecturers in the college.

Is it at all possible that the students were just thrown by having to do stats at all, in a course where they didn't expect to see so many numbers?

That module is nearly all theory - there's very little maths in it, just a small bit near the end! If you wanted the maths side of statistics, take STAT10050 (Intro to Statistical Modelling) and STAT10060 (Statistical Modelling) as your electives. Anyone who is doing a degree that involves research need to know about the basics of statistics - how to get representative data, how statistics can be misused, and of course a knowledge of correlation and the basics of hypothesis tests come into play - I doubt there's a degree program in UCD which doesn't involve stats, even at a very basic level. Even if you don't have to do the research yourself, you need to know how to analyse data properly, and if given things like the mean/median/mode/standard deviation etc., what do these actually mean and are they useful at summarising the data!

And I thought the lecturer was very good - Conor it was Dr. Claire Gormley, and she was excellent at explaining things - better than the lecturers I had for my core stat modules!

I think what threw some people off who weren't expecting numbers was the computer labs. We had to do a few things with R (this is freeware statistical software) - it backs up the learning you do in class, because in 'real life', nearly all statistics is done on computer. However, people found this difficult, even after the lecturer holding extra lab sessions, so she cancelled the lab exam and made lab attendance optional (needless to say this resulted in a huge decrease in lab attendance) and made the mid-term assignment worth double. The mid-term assignment was just a short essay, critically analysing a survey.

littlefriend

aine92 wrote: »

Has anybody any idea if theres a WW2 module offered? I've looked but can't find one

This isn't specifically WWII but it has quite a bit about it in it. Its a good course though a fair amount of work. If you are interested in it though you'll do fine. I got a B+ in it.

20th Century War and Peace: International History 1914-1991 (HIS20560)
Credits 5 Subject History
Level 2 School History & Archives
Semester Semester One Module Coordinator Dr William Mulligan

This module offers a survey of international history in the twentieth century. We start with the outbreak of World War I in 1914 and move chronologically towards the end of the Cold War and beyond. Particular emphasis is given to the three great conflicts of the century - World War I, World War II, and the Cold War, as well as the shifting balance of power in Europe and Asia. In seminars you will be asked to explore the controversial debates that surround this period. Special prominence is given to the policies of the Great Powers, and the major ideological, cultural, and economic forces that shaped these policies.

kev9100

Anyone know of any good music modules that can be taken as electives? I used to study a bit of music theory and can play a few instruments.

virtus1

I'd like to take an elective in Women's Studies, but this year's modules don't seem to be listed on the site. Anyone know what's up with that?

LifesaverNiall

This is probably a silly question.. but what do the levels mean? like when youre searching for a course?

Sad Professor

LifesaverNiall wrote: »

This is probably a silly question.. but what do the levels mean? like when youre searching for a course?

The level of difficulty. Within your programme you will generally be doing level 1 modules in first year, level 2 in second year and so on. With electives it doesn't really matter as long as there isn't any pre-requisites. Some people do level 3 electives in first year, but it's probably not very wise. So for this year it's probably best to stick to level 1 and 2 elective modules.

LifesaverNiall

Thanks for the reply Its all very exciting isnt it? haha.. i think im going to go and look for help when registering all this stuff during the orientation week.. knowing me ill end up making a balls of it and hindering myself from doing something in later years!

**Timbuk2**

LifesaverNiall wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Its all very exciting isnt it? haha.. i think im going to go and look for help when registering all this stuff during the orientation week.. knowing me ill end up making a balls of it and hindering myself from doing something in later years!

If you've any questions, the people in the Tierney building (directly across from the Arts building, linked by a bridge so you can't miss it) will be able to help, as will your program office! Just make sure you know who your program office is (e.g. Science, Arts) - I'm doing Actuarial Finance and a guy in Tierney couldn't decide whether I was Science or Business and eventually sent me to Quinn (the business school) - turns out I was science

LifesaverNiall

Yes im definitely science, DN200 BBB

Victoria.

Has anyone done How the Earth Works?

It's a 1st year geology module for semester 1.

mc8755

Victoria. wrote: »

Has anyone done How the Earth Works?

It's a 1st year geology module for semester 1.

Did it in semester one of first year, it's very easy. There's a bunch of Friday morning MCQ tests (or at least there was when I took it) which are nice, easy marks. The stuff you do is basically a little more than LC geography which I didn't do and still got an A in the module.


Anyone interested, take BMOL10030 (Science of Human Disease) as an elective. I couldn't take it because I did a similar outcome module, but it sounds incredibly easy and the co-ordinater Dr. Maguire is a great lecturer.

Anybody any suggestions for electives for a 3rd year Biochem who's freaked out enough by the amount of **** to learn this year?

Sierra Oscar

I always found the development studies modules relatively easy going and at the same time very interesting, would definitely recommend them.

Electives still are not first come first served during registration, right?

WoollyRedHat

Just some questions about electives, going into first year..

Is Psychology of perception an interesting elective to do? Anyone do it that can reccomend it?

Also am doing both English and History. For English, there are four core modules which add up to 20 credits. In the modules, there are two modules I can do for English after this, Literary Genre ( loved this in 6th Year) and Coming of age narratives.. this would add up to 30 programme credits in English ( am I right?) and am wondering if I can do this.

In History there's only one core module with 4 options after that, so could I maybe do 3 modules in History, along with the core module, adding up to 20 credits, which would then be 50 programme credits.

And then, would I be correct in saying that you are offered 10 elective credits thereafter?Also is it true that after the 10th September that this is further extended to another 10 elective credits?

Thanks and sorry for long post but I just wanted it clarified.

smndly

Are you allowed do as many Level 1 electives as possible or is there a limit?

parker kent

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

Electives still are not first come first served during registration, right?

Random allocation for all electives other than in-programme electives. So no need for people to be up cursing and swearing at 7am!

Siuin

smndly wrote: »

Are you allowed do as many Level 1 electives as possible or is there a limit?

There's a limit of 80 credits- the savvy student would have 1st year's 60 credits in level 1, then use their 20 credits over 2nd and 3rd year on easy level 1 electives. That said, it's more important that you actual enjoy and have an interest in what you're studying!

Siuin

parker kent wrote: »

Random allocation for all electives other than in-programme electives. So no need for people to be up cursing and swearing at 7am!

Thank fook! I wasn't sure, and need to work tomorrow, so this is good news!

**Timbuk2**

Is there any way of seeing a list of in-programme electives?

I'm doing Actuarial and Financial Studies (BAFS), but I remember in first year there were no in-programme electives! Will it be the same for someone going into 2nd year?

And if you miss out on an elective due to random selection, does that mean you have to try and find a vacant elective even though most of them will be full?

._.

Tomorrow?
I still don't have a clue..

I'd rather not do any at this stage..

LifesaverNiall

so far im going to probly go for japanese, that geology one.. and the human disease one? but im still major confused.. gonna go for that stage 2 registration help during orientation week

littlefriend

WoollyRedHat wrote: »

Is Psychology of perception an interesting elective to do? Anyone do it that can reccomend it?

I did it and really liked it. AFAIR there was a MCQ mid term worth 40% and then a final 1 hour MCQ and some short questions at the end worth 60%. There were 3 tutorials which didn't have any attendance marks but were useful.

In relation to the rest of your post - make sure you do your core subjects. I'm surprised there is only one core History subject - though maybe what you mean is you have one core and then must to 3 additional options with it?

Are the Literary Genre module and the Coming of age narratives one both in the same semester? If they are you will be giving yourself a very heavy workload - doable of course but you might regret it a bit. Lots of reading required for History and English.

Anyway yes you are right - the 6 English subjects will give you 30 credits and the 4 History 20 credits. This will leave you with 10 for electives. I don't know anything about an extra electives from September 10th. I suspect what you may be talking about is that some courses offer extra places on them and you may be able to join one of them after that date.

LifesaverNiall

Sorry but what does MCQ stand for? :S

**Timbuk2**

LifesaverNiall wrote: »

Sorry but what does MCQ stand for? :S

Multiple Choice Questions.

Laserhead

Sorry if this has been asked/answered before but where can you find what electives are available for 1st year arts? I'm totally lost on the website. :S

Victoria.

mc8755 wrote: »

Did it in semester one of first year, it's very easy. There's a bunch of Friday morning MCQ tests (or at least there was when I took it) which are nice, easy marks. The stuff you do is basically a little more than LC geography which I didn't do and still got an A in the module.


Anyone interested, take BMOL10030 (Science of Human Disease) as an elective. I couldn't take it because I did a similar outcome module, but it sounds incredibly easy and the co-ordinater Dr. Maguire is a great lecturer.

Thanks
Seriously considering that geology one now if it slots in ok with my labs!

I definitely agree with you that Dr.Maguire is a great lecturer. I did Intro to Biochem or something along those lines last year and she was great. Makes it less stressful especially for a first year.

Emzer92

._. wrote: »

Tomorrow?
I still don't have a clue..

I'd rather not do any at this stage..

I think Regisrtration for 1st years isn't until Thursday, when we register for all modules: Core, Option and Elective.

That's what I gleaned from here anyway:

http://www.ucd.ie/incomingstudents/

Please please please, correct me if I'm wrong!

parker kent

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Is there any way of seeing a list of in-programme electives?

I'm doing Actuarial and Financial Studies (BAFS), but I remember in first year there were no in-programme electives! Will it be the same for someone going into 2nd year?

And if you miss out on an elective due to random selection, does that mean you have to try and find a vacant elective even though most of them will be full?

1: Check the Science student handbook (it is probably online) and whatever modules you aren't doing as a core or option should be an in-programme elective AFAIK. Basically whatever modules you are not already doing. Although I actually haven't a clue about BAFS.
2: See above!
3: Yes. Then it is first come, first served.
http://www.ucd.ie/students/electives.html

**Timbuk2**

Thanks parker kent!

dr gonzo

Anyone know what English is liking marking wise? Im looking at one for an elective but i'd be coming from pure archaeology so probably a very different style of writing is required. On top of that i can afford to take any risks with my GPA due to where it currently stands.

Can anyone advise me in that regard? Its the crime novel one, ENG30920.

Actually while im here does anyone know anything about the horror cinema module?

**Timbuk2**

Is it a bad idea to do a Level 1 elective in 2nd year? If potential employers are looking at your subject list they might think that I'm purposely taking easier modules than I should be - it'll stand out amongst the Level 2 and Level 3 modules I'm doing in 2nd year!

BlandKitten

Emzer92 wrote: »

I think Regisrtration for 1st years isn't until Thursday, when we register for all modules: Core, Option and Elective.

That's what I gleaned from here anyway:

http://www.ucd.ie/incomingstudents/

Please please please, correct me if I'm wrong!

No, you're right! Check here for all the registration dates in case you were wondering.

Witcher

Confused here..someone help me:P
Going into 2nd year arts-
Registered for 55 core credits at moment-
25 in subject 1, 30 in subject 2
Question is..do my final 5 credits have to be an elective in subject 1 this year or could I take a different elective now and make up that 5 credits next year?

Scratch that..when choosing in-programme electives..can you only choose the modules you didn't choose as cores?

WoollyRedHat

littlefriend wrote: »

I did it and really liked it. AFAIR there was a MCQ mid term worth 40% and then a final 1 hour MCQ and some short questions at the end worth 60%. There were 3 tutorials which didn't have any attendance marks but were useful.

In relation to the rest of your post - make sure you do your core subjects. I'm surprised there is only one core History subject - though maybe what you mean is you have one core and then must to 3 additional options with it?

Are the Literary Genre module and the Coming of age narratives one both in the same semester? If they are you will be giving yourself a very heavy workload - doable of course but you might regret it a bit. Lots of reading required for History and English.

Anyway yes you are right - the 6 English subjects will give you 30 credits and the 4 History 20 credits. This will leave you with 10 for electives. I don't know anything about an extra electives from September 10th. I suspect what you may be talking about is that some courses offer extra places on them and you may be able to join one of them after that date.

Hello Littlefriend ( Scarface?) Thanks for your post, was helpful! O.k that sounds good, did many people do the Physcology perception module last year or was it a small group? Would you reckon that it will fill up fast ?


No, just checked it there and the Literary Genre is in Semester Two, and Coming of Age Narratives in Semester One, thanks for that tip though, will certainly bear that in mind!

Yes, sorry, in History there is 1 core listed with the rest underneath offered as options, whereas in English it is simply listed one after the other

I dunno, I just heard after September 10th you may choose more electives, but would you have to pay for these? I was thinking of picking two film electives and then doing one biology and psycology one after that but don't want to give myself a massive workload and as you say, there's lots of reading for both english and history

Anyway, thanks for your post again really has made things way more clearer and means I won't be panicking like mad come Thursday! What did you do as a matter of interest?