Maynooth Engineering - What's the difference?

D_s

So Maynooth have 4 different CAO codes for Engineering, MH301 - MH304.

From the website it looks like they all have 3 years common, but then I also heard that you can swap into pretty much any of the four from any other of the four, meaning it makes basically no difference which one I pick.

So... what's the deal? Why have four courses? They each have different CAO points to get in, and different names... but besides that?

Can I put all 4 down on my CAO, and which of the four should I put down first?
(For reference, I'd be most interested in pure electronics)

If anyone could shine a light on this, I'd be very grateful!

Eric Cartman

I think 301 is the general one, you are correct it all means nothing till 4th year, i suppose its to keep points down / up perhaps.

I started in 07 and all 4 courses were just lumped in together, there was 30 of us in total between the 4 .

D_s

So I'll probably put down the common one as first choice, you reckon that's the thing to do?

Out of the 30, how many ended up specialising in each area? And was there anybody who wanted to go, say, Computer Engineering for 4th year but didn't get it?

How so Joe

Common is probably the best choice if you don't know which of the three streams you'll want in final year. If you know, though, you may as well put down the one you want.

It's difficult to say with any accuracy how many people of the 30 ended up in each stream - last year there were only three people who actually got through the BE programme in four years, so then figuring out who started in which stream gets rather complicated, especially since people can transfer in from other colleges midway through the course as well.

I know there were two people did engineering with computers. And I have asked one of my friends who graduated last year how many there were in the other streams. I'll get back to you.

D_s

Wow, seriously? 3 People? Did others drop out, or have to repeat a year? I know engineering isn't a walk in the park, but 3 out of 30 is, well, 10% is a fairly shocking proportion, put it that way.

Thanks for this info by the way! Really helpful

How so Joe

D_s wrote: »

Wow, seriously? 3 People? Did others drop out, or have to repeat a year? I know engineering isn't a walk in the park, but 3 out of 30 is, well, 10% is a fairly shocking proportion, put it that way.

Thanks for this info by the way! Really helpful

They would have been the class who started in 2008, and I think there were fewer of them at the beginning. Less than 20, so the percentages are higher than you'd think. Sorry if I scared you! There were about 20 of them graduated last year, but it was three who managed not to have to repeat a year.
Lots of people repeated for one reason or another. It's a tough course, there's no denying that, but it is doable!

D_s

Still though, all but 3 having to repeat at least one year seems.... interesting to say the least.

Don't worry, nothings putting me off at this stage, just interesting to get this info.

How did you personally find the course? Which specialisation did you end up going into?

How so Joe

D_s wrote: »

Still though, all but 3 having to repeat at least one year seems.... interesting to say the least.

Don't worry, nothings putting me off at this stage, just interesting to get this info.

How did you personally find the course? Which specialisation did you end up going into?

I didn't. My boyfriend was an engineer. He did engineering with computers. I'm a law graduate.
Sorry!

I'll tell you what I know, though. It was long hours. Lots of time in class and in labs, and a lot of time spent on assignments and lab work. Lots of coding, which I know a lot of the guys found tough and a fair amount of maths, too.
It wasn't unusual to find several of the class still in the lab at ten at night, when security came around to shut up shop.
The facilities were good, and the support was good, but it's a hard course. It's not something you can doss on and it's not an easy ride.
By the time final year rolled around, I don't think any of them had a part time job because they just didn't have the time to work. They spent an incredible amount of time in their labs, working (and sometimes dossing) and doing assignments.
But of the four graduates I'm still in contact with, one is doing a masters and three are in full time employment, so it's not all bad.

D_s

Haha, sorry for presuming

I don't mind coding, I've done a bit before so that's fine with me! Ten at night? Damn, that sounds harsh, but worth it I guess if you enjoy it and, as you said, have good employment opportunities after.
Thanks again for the info, at least I know what to expect in the Autumn now anyway! Did your boyfriend have time for any/many clubs and socs, or much social life?

How so Joe

He wasn't into clubs and socs really. I know he did the robocup, but that was because his final year project was on the nao robots. I think he went to the makers club a few times too. Oh, and he did the Galway cycle too, said that was great craic.

Other students did get more into clubs and socs though. I know one guy was heavily involved in the drama society, I think he directed a production or two as well.

As for the ten o'clock thing, it wasn't every student and it wasn't every night!
I should also note that I'm thinking mainly of final year, because it's what I remember best.
In first, second and third year they had plenty of time to socialise, join clubs and socs and keep jobs.


My friend reckons the majority of last year's students were electronics, and doesn't know if people could change, by the way.

D_s

Ok that's cool then, as long as 1st - 3rd year aren't as bad as 4th I'm sure I'll survive.

Right, if that's the case then I'll probably stick to undenominated entry as No. 1 on my CAO.