Nanoscience PCAM v Science at TCD

coveredman23

Really interested in the PCAM course in Trinity and it breaks my heart looking at the points for it last year, so chances of getting into it this year are very slim. I have it down as my first choice anyway, but was wondering would general science at TCD be a good second choice? I've read that there isn't a huge difference content wise between nanoscience and science and choosing chemistry and physics modules, is this true? And what about career opportunities? Anyone who's done either course your feedback would be much appreciated!

stealinhorses

I just graduated from NPCAM two weeks ago, so can offer you some insight.

TL:DR; Do not be fooled by the inflation in points, there is nothing inherently amazing about NPCAM in comparison to both physics and chemistry, both in terms of material taught and career opportunities.

NPCAM's rise in points relative to Science has nothing to do with the quality of teaching or career opportunities after graduation. It is a simple consequence of supply and demand. Last year, 90 people put NPCAM down as their first choice, but there are only about 20 places in the course, meaning the competition is high. NPCAM now attracts high achievers simply because of the points, but as a course offers a more broad education than physics/chemistry would on their own, rather than a better education.

The first two years of Science/NPCAM are 95% the same. The only difference comes in the form of a module on material properties/alloy composition taught in second year, and periodic seminars on current research in nanotechnology given by scientists from CRANN (Trinity's institute for everything "nano").

Third and fourth year is where the difference becomes more pronounced. As you begin to specialise in Chemistry/Physics alone, you will share modules with NPCAMs that are relevant to their course (quantum chemistry, material transport, optical properties of solids, magnetism, polymer physics, photochemistry, kinetics, solid state, etc.), but for the most part will do a lot more of pure physics and chemistry (this includes high energy physics, more quantum, a lot of programming if you are in Physics and a load of synthetic chemistry, transition metal chemistry and spectroscopy if you are a Chemist).

In third year, all of Friday is laboratory day for NPCAMs. This takes place in a specialised lab dedicated only to nanoscience students, where for the most part you will do experiments that focus on advanced materials and are not done by either Physicists or Chemists (though there is some overlap). At the same time, if you are doing Physics you will be programming a lot, which helps you tremendously in finding a job later on, and if you are a Chemist you will be doing a lot of organic chemistry in the lab, synthesising compounds, etc. (something NPCAMs drop completely after the first two years).

The final year project yields some more opportunities for NPCAM students, where most of the class will definitely go abroad to institutions all over the world for the first semester of fourth year. However, good students in physics and chemistry also have a chance to do their project abroad, but it is not as prevalent as in the case of NPCAM.

In terms of exams, NPCAM students will often find a lot of overlap between areas of physics and chemistry, making certain modules very easy if not completely redundant, because they have seen that material before. The material they cover is however less specialised than that which would be studied by a pure Physics or Chemistry student. I'm not saying NPCAM is easier, I'm just saying that after 4 years of focusing on advanced materials, you kind of get used to seeing some things and don't necessarily learn new concepts at the rate that a pure Physics or Chemistry student would.

With regards to opporunities for internships/postgrad/future work, there is absolutely no difference. Certain professors might show some prejudice towards taking an NPCAM on over a Chemist (in the chemistry department, ironically enough), because he/she is expected to be more adept at math and problem solving due to his/her experience from physics. A physics professor might be more inclined to take on a PCAM because he/she is more used to getting their hands dirty in the lab coming from a chemistry background. This works both ways. A Physics graduate will be much more proficient at programming and certain areas of mathematics, while a Chemist will know their way around chemicals and the lab to a greater extent than someone finishing NPCAM.

When looking for jobs, it all depends on your skills and what you have learned, regardless of the course. I know people both from NPCAM and Physics who are going on to Cambridge to do PhDs. Similarly, some people from Physics and NPCAM received offers to go work in finance right after graduation. However, a larger percentage of the NPCAM students will be going on to do postgraduate studies, in comparison with Chemistry or Physics, simply because the standard of grades is higher, as the initial CAO points are higher and a large part of that cohort will be more motivated/ambitious than certain people in Chemistry/Physics that are put into the course after second year because they didn't get their first choice coming from Science.

In summary, if you are thinking of doing NPCAM but are afraid you won't get the points, most definitely apply to Science as your second choice, do all the physics/maths/chemistry modules in the first to years as any NPCAM would do, and decide whether you want to do Physics or Chemistry for your degree.

P.S. It has also happened that Science students were able to transfer into NPCAM after the first two years due to people dropping out/deferring, etc., so if you keep up good grades you might end up in NPCAM still, despite not getting the points in the LC.

coveredman23

Wow that was detailed thank you so much!! Now here's hoping I get into science :B