Bachelor of Science - Physics - GY320

TheAlkaline

Hi, I got got a leaflet from NUIG about the campus and university itself. And on it I found information about the new course starting off this september.

Exactly this one ->>> http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/undergraduate-courses/physics-and-applied-physics.html

And I wonder if you have any guess at how many points it might be? Is it even possible to guess that? I would be really interested in it, but I would be looking at top mark of 400 points for myself, so it's not too high for science degree..

matthew2008

impossible to tell really . things to consider would be general science was 380 last year in nuig, applications for science degrees has gone up so that should rise realistically, i think specialised courses points are generally a bit higher as they have less places availble, but physics is also the least popular science subject. id guess around the 400 mark depending on number of places.
remember though this is just me talking crap and anyone that says they can predict the points is talking crap as well

matthew2008

id also e mail the science college in nuig to ask if its possible to do general science for a year then to switch into the physics one in second year. would be a decent back up

biddywiddy

I think the points could come in at anything up to 450, so 400 could be a reasonable bet. But, yes, it's anyone's guess really.

You can still get a Physics degree through the Undenominated Science route, but you limit your options to 'Physics with Applied Physics'. A transfer into Denominated Physics could be possible in second year and would give you the option of choosing other specialities with Physics, such as Biomedical. This is probably done on a case-by-case basis, so if you are in Undenominated and know you really want to transfer, then you should make enquiries and start the process early in first year.

borrch

For the last few years they haven't been able to fill all the available places, that's why there's a new course, as it's merging the two physics courses.

Very few people have physics as their first choice so last years points aren't necessarily portraying an accurate picture of the points needed to get in.

kevmy85

I pretty much done this course but through general science.

You essentially have 4 options for doing straight physics in NUIG and 1 option to do it via general science.

The 4 straight options are what is in that link.

• Physics with Applied Physics
• Physics with Biomedical Physics
• Theoretical Physics
• Astrophysics

Most of them do what they say on the tin. Applied Physics is more applied, Theoretical Physics is more theoretical, etc.

In reality their is very little difference between all four courses in the first couple of years and it is relatively easy to cross between them (assuming you have the grades). The bigger differences are with Biomedical (which is concentrated on medical physics and is used as a feeder course to the medical physics masters - there would be some anatomy in it, etc.) and Astrophysics (which is astronomy, cosmology, etc.).

You can do all of these through general science. In fact a general science degree gives you more choice and keeps your options open better in case you don't like the course.

In terms of points it is difficult to guess but last year the points for the three physics options last year were 355, 400 and 405. General science was 380. In 2011 these points were 355, 390 and 390. General science was 370.

So I guess who would need 400 points anyway for the new combined physics degree but maybe slightly less for general science 380-410 would be my guess.

The usual advice holds in terms of CAO points. Put down what you want most first and then descending downwards. You can surprise yourself in how well you do.

biddywiddy

kevmy85 wrote: »

You can do all of these through general science. In fact a general science degree gives you more choice and keeps your options open better in case you don't like the course.

I think this is what has changed this year. You don't have straight access to all these options from General Science.

If you choose the new Denominated Physics course, in 1st Yr you complete a module on the specialist topics, which General Science students can't access. From that, you then decide on your specialisation. Physics with Biomedical Physics requires 1st Yr Biology. The rest require Applied Maths.

If, as a General Science student, you choose Physics, then you are choosing the Physics with Applied Physics track. To access the other specialisations, you will need to formally transfer to Denominated Physics, and your options then will depend on your marks (maybe) and your 1st Year General Science subjects.

kevmy85

biddywiddy wrote: »

I think this is what has changed this year. You don't have straight access to all these options from General Science.

If you choose the new Denominated Physics course, in 1st Yr you complete a module on the specialist topics, which General Science students can't access. From that, you then decide on your specialisation. Physics with Biomedical Physics requires 1st Yr Biology. The rest require Applied Maths.

If, as a General Science student, you choose Physics, then you are choosing the Physics with Applied Physics track. To access the other specialisations, you will need to formally transfer to Denominated Physics, and your options then will depend on your marks (maybe) and your 1st Year General Science subjects.

Fair enough. This was always the case with the old Physics and Astronomy degree course - you could only transfer from General Science if you has suitable courses completed in first yr.
Most people who transferred from General Science used to go to the Physics with Applied Physics or Experimental Physics.
The Medical Physics course is only relatively new anyway (4/5 yrs?) but yeah I guess you'd have to have 1st yr Anatomy or some such done in General Science to transfer in.

My point holds if the OP is interested in the Applied Physics course.

keesa

Put it down anyway and then if you do get the points you've got it. No point worrying about that yet. Points are calculated every year anyway

TheAlkaline

keesa wrote: »

Put it down anyway and then if you do get the points you've got it. No point worrying about that yet. Points are calculated every year anyway

Yeah, thats what I am going to do