change of mind module selection but already reg'd a lab!

Half Rhodesian

hello everybody,

been at nuig a week now and having a blast.

My first year science module selections include math 161, physics, biology and eos.

My biggest worry at present is physics.. at the start, i couldnt choose between chemistry and physics, in the end went with the latter over the former.

Now the physics has been pretty basic the first couple of lectures but looking down the road, i don't think i'll be able to hack it.

I have also had a look at past exam papers on the subject and honestly, i would not do very well at all if i had to sit one of them in the morning.
It would be a total disaster tbh and i dont think things will improve over time either.

Now, as for chemistry, i have had a look at past exam papers also and i would think i could pass that module. Certainly feel alot more comfortable with chemistry than with physics.
I think because everyone was going on about how tough it is at third level may have put me off it even though i easily got an A at honours lc level in the subject.

so, my question is, i have reg'd for a physics lab now last week.
Modules can be chopped and changed up to the 30th september but what happens now ive reg'd for the lab in physics and the 15e fee i paid?

cheers all and sorry about the lengthy post

wmirl

Go into the Physics secretary and explain your situation. Her office is first door on the left when you enter the corridor where the first year labs are. She'll be able to guide you on what'll happen regarding labs.

Slow Show

I did some First Science modules last year and to be honest, Physics was the most doable module of the lot by miles. There's so much based on continuous assessment between the online assignments, labs and clicker attendance. It's easy to get a bit overwhelmed at the start as a lot of it can seem quite confusing in the lecture slides, but tbh the exams really aren't all that heard. The short questions are practically repeated year after year and there's a choice of two from four in the long questions. If you're feeling worried, there should be a revision tutorial on at some point every week and a problem-solving tutorial too. Honestly, it' a harder module to pass than fail in my opinion, I'd never done Physics before and managed to get a pretty respectable honour in it!

I did a different Chemistry module to what most people in Science do so I can't really say much about that, if you want to change and think you'll like Chemistry more by all means go for it, but really I wouldn't judge Physics too quickly if I were you! And yeah what the above poster said if you decide to change.

Half Rhodesian

thanks lads, do lecturers go over past exam papers prior to end of semester exams slow show?

wmirl

Depends on the lecturer, some will go through it, though past exam papers aren't always a good indicator of what's coming up. Exams can change year to year if the lecturer or syllabus changes.

mockshelp

Hey, I'm in 3rd science. I only did biology for leaving cert and did biology, chemistry, physics and maths ma161 in 1st year 2 years ago.

1st year science really isn't hard. All the subjects are taught from scratch. I thought the same at the start of 1st year - that subjects like chemistry and physics would be hard, but they're really not! They only look hard to you because your not familiar with the course. If you go to lectures and later on in the semester look at the past exam questions you'll probably be able to do them then.

Physics I actually found easiest in 1st year along with biology. Maths and chemistry I found hardest. 1st year physics really isn't hard. Most of it is just subbing numbers into formula and getting an answer. You have loads of choice on the exam paper too so topics you find hard you probably won't have to answer a question on. At the end of 1st year you'll probably realise how easy 1st year science was when you hit 2nd year and have to start real work. It goes up a level in 2nd year!