Some Questions From A 6th Year

taway09988

So I'm pretty sure I'd like to attend NUIM next year... For some reason it appeals to me more than any other universities I've looked at. I have some questions about the campus, accommodation, courses etc. that I'd love if you guys could answer for me... it seems best to ask actual students attending the uni :P

Right... The only thing I'm really interested in is science so I'm considering doing the 'General/Omnibus Science' course. Would you guys recommend the course or would I be better of choosing a more specific course (ie. Biological and Biomed.)?
I also have an interest in Neuroscience/Psychology so I was thinking about doing the 'Psychology through Science' course... Which of these two would you recommend?

What qualification would I get at the end of the 4 years? (I'm not going JUST to get a qualification... I'm more interested in just learning but I'd like to know what exactly I get at the end) Do you specify in one area and just get a BSc in Biology or a Bsc in Chemistry or what?

If I was to do science in NUIM would I be able to keep up with the maths being done? I only do ordinary level maths (and always have done) So I'm wondering if I'd be capable of keeping up with the maths areas in the course or not? I find ordinary maths fairly easy... I get A's and B's.

How difficult is the Exp. Physics subject? Would I be able to take it without having done Physics as a subject for LC. I do Phys-Chem and read some physics-y material outside of school, so obviously I would have most of the basic ideas but I'm not sure how much more in depth the full Physics subject for LC goes?

That's about it as far as my questions about subjects go.

Now... I'm from the west, so I'd be looking to live in Maynooth while attending. Is on-campus accommodation easy to get for first years or would I have to try and find house mates to rent with?

Secondly, I'm the only person I know that'll be going to NUIM so I'll be completely alone going into first year and I'm kind of worried about this :P I'm a fairly shy person (not too bad, I'm good craic when I know people) so I'm wondering if I'd be better off going somewhere where I know someone else? Do most people know others from their school or are they going in alone too? How about you guys? This is one of the main things worrying me about going to Maynooth haha


I'd appreciate any answers (Especially any from this years 1st years!)

Sorry if some of the questions seem a bit stupid, but I'm kinda clueless :P


Also... What's the religious presence like around the college? (I know, I know Maynooth doesn't JUST train priests anymore :P) Is there an Atheist(-esque) society/club?

I'll start with the questions I can answer.

If I was to do science in NUIM would I be able to keep up with the maths being done? I only do ordinary level maths (and always have done) So I'm wondering if I'd be capable of keeping up with the maths areas in the course or not? I find ordinary maths fairly easy... I get A's and B's.

The maths in first year is difficult but doable for an ordinary level student. If you don't apply yourself and give maths a good few hours a week you'll fail but there's no reason anyone should fail with the Maths Support Centre being open most of the time and being free. And the Maths Department are some of the nicest guys around.

How difficult is the Exp. Physics subject? Would I be able to take it without having done Physics as a subject for LC. I do Phys-Chem and read some physics-y material outside of school, so obviously I would have most of the basic ideas but I'm not sure how much more in depth the full Physics subject for LC goes?

Ex. Physics in first year is basically leaving cert physics anyway, it's mechanics with astrophysics thrown in at the end, the lecturers and department are great too so if you have any problems they'll help you.

Now... I'm from the west, so I'd be looking to live in Maynooth while attending. Is on-campus accommodation easy to get for first years or would I have to try and find house mates to rent with?

It's a lottery for on campus accommodation, it's a stupid system but it's not the end of the world if you don't get campus, there's plenty of good accommodation around the town that's not too pricey once you get there quick.

Secondly, I'm the only person I know that'll be going to NUIM so I'll be completely alone going into first year and I'm kind of worried about this :P I'm a fairly shy person (not too bad, I'm good craic when I know people) so I'm wondering if I'd be better off going somewhere where I know someone else? Do most people know others from their school or are they going in alone too? How about you guys? This is one of the main things worrying me about going to Maynooth haha

You want to do science, half the course consider themselves shy but when you get split up into tour groups and such then just start chit chat and you'll know about 50-100 people by the end of freshers.

Sorry if some of the questions seem a bit stupid, but I'm kinda clueless :P

No such thing as a stupid question, learn that quickly if you want to do well.

Also... What's the religious presence like around the college? (I know, I know Maynooth doesn't JUST train priests anymore :P) Is there an Atheist(-esque) society/club?

Nobody will be shoving religion down your throat so that's the main thing, there is a strong presence on campus but it's not bothering, and I don't know if there is an atheist soc but you could set one up if there's not.

taway09988

Deleted User wrote: »

snip

Thanks a million man

This is just another question about college in general... Whats the difference between tutorials and lectures? What exactly is a tutorial? Is it just a smaller class group?

Ayrtonf7

taway09988 wrote: »

Now... I'm from the west, so I'd be looking to live in Maynooth while attending. Is on-campus accommodation easy to get for first years or would I have to try and find house mates to rent with?

Secondly, I'm the only person I know that'll be going to NUIM so I'll be completely alone going into first year and I'm kind of worried about this :P I'm a fairly shy person (not too bad, I'm good craic when I know people) so I'm wondering if I'd be better off going somewhere where I know someone else? Do most people know others from their school or are they going in alone too? How about you guys? This is one of the main things worrying me about going to Maynooth haha


I'd appreciate any answers (Especially any from this years 1st years!)

On Campus accommodation seems like a legit way to meet a lot of people. I am a first year at the moment and everybody I know who lives on campus seems to be getting to know a lot more people so Id deffinatley recommend it. Also the fact your so close to the college means your less likely to skip lectures...In theroy :P

With regards to not knowing anybody, I think that is one of the top reasons why I would choose a specific college. Blank canvas, youl be pushed out of your comfort zone and youl meet a lot more people because of it! And lets be honest, there is over 8000 students in maynooth, im sure youd have met one or two in a past or previous life

Alt_Grrr

taway09988 wrote: »

Thanks a million man

This is just another question about college in general... Whats the difference between tutorials and lectures? What exactly is a tutorial? Is it just a smaller class group?

According to the interwebnets

A lecture is an oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject

and

A tutorial is a method of transferring knowledge and may be used as a part of a learning process. More interactive and specific than a book or a lecture; a tutorial seeks to teach by example and supply the information to complete a certain task.

In other words, a lectures are a series of presentations given about a topic, with some housekeeping thrown in and tutorials are small class settings where you engage with the material (work out examples or have a discussion) rather then listen to somebody else talk. these are typically given by someone other then the lecturer, for example a postgraduate student.

and of course as a science student you'll have labs too, which are 2+ hour practical exercises usually with a little report or a hand up or an online submission at the end.

Boeing777

I'll answer what I can! I'm just gone in to First Year so I know my knowledge wouldn't be as accurate as other peoples on this forum but I'll share what I know! (so far)

What qualification would I get at the end of the 4 years? (I'm not going JUST to get a qualification... I'm more interested in just learning but I'd like to know what exactly I get at the end) Do you specify in one area and just get a BSc in Biology or a Bsc in Chemistry or what?

If you do General Science you are given the choice to major in one subject which is called a single honours or you could do two subjects which is called a double honours. So you could have a degree in just Biology, Chem, Physics etc. or you could have a degree in Biology & Chemistry etc. if you so wished.

If I was to do science in NUIM would I be able to keep up with the maths being done? I only do ordinary level maths (and always have done) So I'm wondering if I'd be capable of keeping up with the maths areas in the course or not? I find ordinary maths fairly easy... I get A's and B's.

Speaking from a complete newbies perspective and only having done OL myself, the maths is fairly difficult but with the help of the Maths Support Centre you'll be absolutely fine. There really is a lot of help available for maths if you're finding it difficult or just need clarification on a particular concept.

How difficult is the Exp. Physics subject? Would I be able to take it without having done Physics as a subject for LC. I do Phys-Chem and read some physics-y material outside of school, so obviously I would have most of the basic ideas but I'm not sure how much more in depth the full Physics subject for LC goes?

Not gonna lie, Physics is tough coming from a newbies perspective. I haven't done Physics before myself but I can tell you that nearly everyone hasn't either. There really isn't many people in my course (Science Ed) who was done Physics and they're doing alright at the moment so you'll be fine. Also, this year they introduced a Physics drop-in centre similar to Maths so there's lots of help available. But, you should be fine with it.

Secondly, I'm the only person I know that'll be going to NUIM so I'll be completely alone going into first year and I'm kind of worried about this :P I'm a fairly shy person (not too bad, I'm good craic when I know people) so I'm wondering if I'd be better off going somewhere where I know someone else? Do most people know others from their school or are they going in alone too? How about you guys? This is one of the main things worrying me about going to Maynooth haha

To be honest, part of my decision to go to NUIM was that I wouldn't know much people and it was a great decision because it forced me to come out of my shell and make friends. Everyone is really lovely and friendly and you'll have absolutely no bother making friends. So don't be worrying about that!

taway09988

Boeing777 wrote: »

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Thanks Do Science Ed. students take the same stuff as General science students in first year and then branch off or is it completely seperate?

Boeing777

taway09988 wrote: »

Thanks Do Science Ed. students take the same stuff as General science students in first year and then branch off or is it completely seperate?

Yeah, Science Ed is almost identical to General Science in 1st year with the exception of a one hour education class per week. In second year, we then drop two subjects and take up education modules whereas General Science only drop one subject.

Also, there's an 'opt out of science ed' at the end of second year if it's really not your thing and you continue into General Science in 3rd year with your two subjects and all your grades carry over!

Seren_

I can't help with the science questions, but I can with the rest!

taway09988 wrote: »

Now... I'm from the west, so I'd be looking to live in Maynooth while attending. Is on-campus accommodation easy to get for first years or would I have to try and find house mates to rent with?

There is a lot of competition for getting campus accom, but they set aside a good portion of it solely for first years. It's quite expensive though (ranges from €90-€110 per week) so it's no harm looking off campus either, where rents tend to be cheaper.

taway09988 wrote: »

Secondly, I'm the only person I know that'll be going to NUIM so I'll be completely alone going into first year and I'm kind of worried about this :P I'm a fairly shy person (not too bad, I'm good craic when I know people) so I'm wondering if I'd be better off going somewhere where I know someone else? Do most people know others from their school or are they going in alone too? How about you guys? This is one of the main things worrying me about going to Maynooth haha

I was in the exact same boat when I started, not one person from my school was going to NUIM and I was pretty quiet back then. I made some really great friends in the first few weeks Lots of people will be the same and it is really easy to get to know people. Best thing to do is just chat to as many people as possible :pac: The forum also has meetups and stuff too so you can get to know people.

taway09988 wrote: »

Also... What's the religious presence like around the college? (I know, I know Maynooth doesn't JUST train priests anymore :P) Is there an Atheist(-esque) society/club?

I don't think there's an atheist soc, but you could always start one if you want! There's loads of people of every religion and none in Maynooth, so don't be worried that it's just full of priests :P

taway09988

Seren_ wrote: »

I was in the exact same boat when I started, not one person from my school was going to NUIM and I was pretty quiet back then. I made some really great friends in the first few weeks Lots of people will be the same and it is really easy to get to know people.

This was great to hear, thanks As far as I know, I'm the only one from my school thinking about going to NUIM.

XxMCRxBabyxX

taway09988 wrote: »

This was great to hear, thanks As far as I know, I'm the only one from my school thinking about going to NUIM.

I was the same as well (though they've all followed me since! :P) but I have made so many friends since I've started here. Maynooth is great for that. You end up getting to know everyone!