Arts or Science?

fizzyorange

Hey everyone.

I'm a sixth year, hoping to head to NUIG in September and I'm a tad stuck on picking my course. I've narrowed it down so far to Undenom Science and Arts. If I were to do arts I'd probably do psychology, geography, soc and pol and then maybe archaeology or philosophy. If I were to do science I'd probably pick Biology, Chemistry, Ocean and Earth Studies and I'm not sure if I'd pick Applied Maths or Maths.

Basically to help me decide I was wondering if anyone here that does one of these courses could tell me about their course, how they enjoy, what are the hours and workload like etc.

Thanks a bunch.

Ficheall

fizzyorange wrote: »

I've narrowed it down so far to...

That's the narrowed down list? :eek:

What would you like to do when you 'grow up'?

fizzyorange

Ficheall wrote: »

That's the narrowed down list? :eek:

What would you like to do when you 'grow up'?

Well, two courses is fairly narrowed down no? :P

Not really sure. I have no set job in mind, just interests. I would like to do something where I know I'm helping people, I would like something fairly social, and I'd like something interesting. I've considered continuing on in psychology, going on to get a PhD eventually and doing counselling. Wouldn't mind doing research either though. Would like to work in a lab (if I could get the points for biomed I would definitely do that) or going into scientific research. So yeah I'm a bit stuck. :pac: At least I have another month-ish to decide.

bildo

For a narrowed down selection, this is about as broad as you can get.
It seems obvious that you really want to go to NUIG but are unsure of what you want to do at all.
My advice would be to take a year out and have a good think about it first. Perhaps get a flat in Galway and a part time job to get used to the city first and maybe this time next year you will have a better idea what you want to do.
There is no rush, college will always be there. There is no point whatsoever you starting a course and not finishing it because it's not for you, or finish it knowing you would rather have done something else. So many young people get themselves into debt in their first year of college only to drop out midway through the course and have to pay it all back.
Education is a very expensive venture, don't commit to anything you are not sure of.
Having said that, I'm glad you seem so keen on NUIG, it's a great place to go to college.

Ficheall

bildo wrote: »

My advice would be to take a year out and have a good think about it first.

I'd caution against taking a year out solely to decide what to do in college. I took a year out and still ended up doing a degree I hated. If you're taking a year out - which is no harm - be sure to do something with it. Travel, get an interesting job; perhaps something that might not be financially profitable or that you've no intention of doing long term but about which you might be curious.

bildo wrote: »

There is no rush, college will always be there.

Truth.
And you don't have to go to college.

fizzyorange

Hm...not really into the whole year out business. I doubt it would help me decide. I would be happy with both courses but my gut feeling is saying arts. I just wanted to get other peoples opinions on their courses.

Either way I wouldn't end up in a course I'd hate, so it's not such a huge issue that I would take a year out to think about it really.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

RolandIRL

Undenominated science is a good broad course if you're unsure what to do. You're able to keep your options open for up to 3rd year. I can't comment on Biology or Earth and Ocean as I haven't done them, but Chemistry is easy for first year. If you've doing it for the Leaving, it's very much the same. Taught a bit differently but easily passable. I wasn't too gone on it but that's more due to me being a more mathsy person.

Hours are in and around 20 to 26 hours including labs (might have a bit more for EOS and Biology), and then tutorials on top of that, which I'd recommend you'd go to. They can be a life-saver when it comes to exams.

Overall, I'm glad I did undenominated science. I was set on doing physics and chemistry at the start of my degree but I'm specialising in something else now that I find much more interesting and challenging.

If you want any further info on the subjects, feel free to PM me with any specific questions.

Blurb on Applied Maths and Maths below I write for someone else in another thread.

RolandIRL wrote: »

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.

mockshelp

Ficheall wrote: »

I'd caution against taking a year out solely to decide what to do in college. I took a year out and still ended up doing a degree I hated. If you're taking a year out - which is no harm - be sure to do something with it. Travel, get an interesting job; perhaps something that might not be financially profitable or that you've no intention of doing long term but about which you might be curious.

I agree with Ficheall. Don't take a year out unless you've planned to do something productive with it! Or else you'll feel it is a waste of time and hate seeing everyone else in college.

I went to UCD doing Arts and dropped out only 3 weeks into the course. Wasn't so keen on the subjects as I thought I'd be. I am reapplying this year. I do not know anything more than this time last year. I think I'm going to do something in science this time. But I still don't know which exact degree never mind career! So the common entry science in Trinity appeals to me because of its flexibility i.e. list all the specilisations you are interested in and their prerequsites. For instance if your intersted in these: Environmental sciences, physiology, zoology, geology, geography, functional biology. You only need to do biology, geography and geology for the first 2 years (and maths methods in 1st year) and can completely avoid physics and chemistry!
If you want to keep open other options that aren't pure chemistry or physics i.e. genetics, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology you only need 1st year chemistry to keep these options open. There's great flexibility to this course!

Research courses your interested in on internet. There is limited information in the prospectus. You can find a lot about course content from the university websites e.g. for instance lookup "biochemistry in nuig" if you wanted to find more information on that. If you don't like the course content you probably won't like the course. Liking the course you do is important because your more likely to commit to it and complete the 3 or 4 years of study. If you don't like it, its unlikely you'll stick out 3-4 years studying it.