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Questions about Physics & Astrophysics

  • 24-02-2014 06:12PM
    #1
    MmmPancakes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 712 ✭✭✭


    Hey guys/girls,

    I managed to get a hold of the 2014 prospectus from one of the TAP officials today, I'm certain on doing physics & astrophysics, however I'm a bit uncertain about a few things, which I'm hoping you can clear up for me.

    It says that applicants for this should apply to the general science degree (TR071) and you can specialize in your junior and senior sophister. I take it that means for the first 2 years I'll have to choose electives and so on. So can I choose the Physics, Maths and the other maths elective (which is ten credits) and then one of the 10 credit chemistry/bio electives? And do I have to do this for the first 2 years?

    cheers


Comments

  • #2
    Polka_Dot
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 551 ✭✭✭Polka_Dot


    Yes, you go into TR071 and specialise in 3rd year. You have to take physics and maths in 1st and 2nd year and from then I think it's a free choice (I don't do physics so I'm not sure). However you can't take maths with maths methods in first year, you'd need to fill your other 20 credits with chemistry/biology.


  • #3
    MmmPancakes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 712 ✭✭✭MmmPancakes


    Polka_Dot wrote: »
    Yes, you go into TR071 and specialise in 3rd year. You have to take physics and maths in 1st and 2nd year and from then I think it's a free choice (I don't do physics so I'm not sure). However you can't take maths with maths methods in first year, you'd need to fill your other 20 credits with chemistry/biology.

    Alright, thanks!


  • #4
    bscm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭bscm


    In 1st year you do 2 Physics modules (10 credits each, one per semester), 2 Maths modules (10 credits each, one per semester), and then you fill the remaining 20 credits. Most people do 2 Chemistry modules, or 2 Biology modules, but you could do Geography (two 10 credit modules are available), or Geology (one 10 credit module is available). Geology is first year was great craic.

    In 2nd year you do 2 Physics modules (same as last year), 4 Maths modules (5 credits each, two per semester), and then fill the remaining 20 credits. Biology is split into 5 credit modules in 2nd year, but Chemistry, Geology and Geography all stay at 10 credits per module (as far as I remember).

    In 3rd year, you have no choice in modules. You do 20 credits of labs, 10 credits of Quantum Mechanics, 5 credits of Astrophysical Spectroscopy, 5 credits of Solid State Physics, 5 credits of Electromagnetic Interactions, 5 credits of Numerical Methods/C Programming, 5 credits of Experimental Techniques, and 5 credits of Atomic and Nuclear Physics.

    In 4th year, you spend half the year doing a research project, and the other half in lectures.

    Work load and hours increase from 1st to 2nd year, but sky rocket in 3rd year. Apparently (so we've been told), 3rd year is the hardest year in the degree. Have to agree with that statement so far.


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