Mathematical Science...

Cosmic.Postman

Hello! I'm a leaving cert student and I'm currently trying to decide between this course and Mathematics in Trinity. To any of you who may be doing this course: What's it like? Do you enjoy it? Would you recommend it? How difficult is it?
Any other information you'd like to share would be greatly appreciated!

numbers man

I do Financial Maths so I'll be able to give an insight into some of the subjects. In 1st year Maths Science you do Maths, Applied Maths, Comp. Science, Probability and Stats, and one of Physics, Chem and Biology.

Having done some of those this year they're not too bad especially if you've done Hons. Leaving Cert in them. Some maths can be difficult as there is a lot of new concepts. Probability and Stats is difficult enough but the lecturers are very good and help you step by step. Computer science has a difficult project but the theory isn't too bad. We didn't do the rest but from knowing people who did they are easy enough if you have done them for Leaving Cert. SUMS is also there to help and they can really make a difference.

For 2nd year maths gets considerably more difficult, but is definitely manageable with work. Assignments can help you get a goo grade as the exams themselves are hard to get good marks in.

As for NUIG, I think it's a nice college and there's a lot to do. Clubs and societies are good and varied. Best nightlife in Ireland for students as well.

Cosmic.Postman

Cheers for the bit of insight! I absolutely love maths, so all these new concepts and whatnot excite me to be honest. All though I know this naivety could well be replaced by delusion :pac:

Ficheall

Or disillusion.

The folk in the Maths dept. in NUIG are lovely.

RolandIRL

1st year maths is divided into two modules, Algebra and Analysis (basically college level Calculus). The algebra is sound, i found it easy enough. The analysis is a bit more tricky, very theoretical and conceptual, very different to the LC maths calculus (maybe Project Maths does it different since I did the LC). Easily passable with a bit of work.
2nd year maths is again divided into the two modules, algebra is procedural again with a wee bit of theory questions thrown in. Analysis is split into Real (1st semester) and Complex (2nd semester). Complex is more procedural but still a bit tricky and has hard to understand concepts, at least i found. I found Real to be even more complicated and time-consuming.
Lecturers are sound for the most part, one or two I found a bit meh. You will need to devote a fair bit of time to study if you want to continue on with Maths.

1st year applied maths is almost identical to the LC course if you've done it. If not, it's still very doable, most of my class hadn't done it and they were able for it. It's also similar enough to the LC Physics course in some aspects, but you'll be doing more about differential equations and solving them.
2nd year applied maths (Honours) is split into a Methods and a Mechanics course. The Methods is handy enough, learning about how to solve various problems, mostly a procedural modules but with new concepts. Mechanics is a good bit of theory, can be tricky but very doable.
Lecturers are very helpful with everything, if you've no experience in the subject, you can call round to their offices and they'll walk you through it step-by-step.

1st year Physics and Chemistry are both almost identical to their LC counterparts. I didn't show up for any of 2nd semester Chem and still got an A. Very doable and lecturers are alright. Few ones I didn't really care for but I was bored for most of it given I did both of them for LC.

No opinion on the rest of them as I haven't done them. And for all your modules, try and go to most of the tutorials, the tutors know what they're doing (for the most part) and you might be able to wrangle some exam hints outta them.

If you want any more info on the subjects, PM me with any specific questions.