Astrophysics?

RaptorOne

Hi Everyone,
I would like to ask people for information and advice on this course, from anyone or people who are currently studying the course if they could tell me what it's like. I have looked up the information on NUIG website and Qualifax, but I'd like to get an insiders opinion/POV on this course.
These are the questions that bother me;
1. Is the course interesting? How would you rate it? I'm mainly interested in the astronomy aspect of this course.
2. How would you rate the facilities there? I've been there during one of the Open Days they've had, however, I didn't get to see the labs or any other facilities astrophysics students might use. I liked lecture halls there, though.
3. How would you rate the lecturers?
4. Employment prospects? Where do most graduates end up working?
5. Module choice? Haven't found much information about module choice. In fact, I've looked up this course in other universities as well, and some people were actually saying that one is better off doing Applied Physics instead? Once again I'm interested in the astronomy aspect of the course.

As far as I know, NUIG is a great university and I'm impressed with it.
I really appreciate your help.

Synnora

Hi, are you starting this year or are you just thinking of applying?

I'll be starting on Monday so if you're not starting this year too, I can keep you updated as to what it's like. I too was frustrated by the lack of info online.

Synnora

Hi, are you starting this year or are you just thinking of applying?

I'll be starting on Monday so if you're not starting this year too, I can keep you updated as to what it's like. I too was frustrated by the lack of info online.

RaptorOne

I got accepted as well! Was meant to start this year, but I decided to take a year out... This is my second option, so I just want to know what it's like, in case I get my first choice on Thursday (Not really sure I want it anymore). And it's really awkward since I know a lot about that course, yet I know nothing about this one at NUIG. But if you're still bothered few months later, please do keep me updated.

Synnora

I deferred too. I was meant to start last year but my son was only 9months old so I wanted to wait until he was older. I'll definitely keep you updated. They have online now a list of all the modules that you will do over the 4 years. I'll post it in a minute.

You mentioned applied physics too, with this course, you do a common first year with all the physics students and then you pick your chosen speciality in 2nd year so it's good if you want to keep your options open with applied physics. But as far as I know, you still get to study astronomy in year 1 but you don't have to keep it on in year two if you pick one of the other physics degrees.

Synnora

I tried to post the link but it wont let me because I'm a new user. If you want I can try and send it to you in a private message.

RaptorOne

It's alright, I think I found it myself. Doesn't look too bad from what I can see. Reminds me of LC heh
Ah yes, I like that. Although at NUIG I think you're supposed to pick one of two 'streams' as they call it, which are; Astrophysics with Theoretical Physics or Applied Physics and Biomedical Physics, that's what one of the professor's there told me anyways. Will see what happens, but it's nice that they give us this option.
Would you happen to know what their timetable is like?

Synnora

Not yet but I should know by the end of the week. I'll post it on here when I get it.

RaptorOne

Right, got it. Will be interesting to see what it's like, I'd imagine it's 9-5pm.

Synnora

I got the timetable for lectures. Each subject also has one tutorial a week (smaller class for discussions) and physics has one lab a week but I don't know the time for them yet. But below is the times for lectures:

Monday: 11- Applied maths, 12 - physics, 1- maths.
Tuesday: 10- Maths
Wednesday: 10- Maths, 11- Applied maths, 12- physics, 2- computers
Thursday: 10- maths, 11- Physics special topics, 1- computers, 2- applied maths
Friday: 11- applied maths, 12- physics

Each lecture is 50 mins long.

I'll know more about the subject content of each class next week.

RaptorOne

Thanks for letting me know. Hmmm that looks very easy, especially Tuesday - Only one lecture? I was expecting '9-5' timetable, nothing like that. Maths it seems make up a huge part of this course, 8 lectures out of 14 are either maths or applied maths.

IainML

Hi there. At university the scheduled hours of classes can be quite small, but that's because there's an expectation that you'll be doing a lot of self-studying, working through notes, doing homework problems, lab reports and the like. The workload is standardised using a scheme called 'ECTS' and that expects that a full-time student should be committing 40 hours a week in total (adding up all the classes and the self-study, assessments, etc). In some subjects there might be even more expected, but that's the general level. So don't be fooled by the 'one lecture on Tuesday' into thinking that means 'easy' !! ;-)

But anyway, whatever you do, enjoy it and astro is certainly a fascinating subject. As for the maths? Yes, you need good grounding in maths for physics and astrophysics, so that you can make sense of some of the exciting topics to come in later years.

Enjoy

Iain

RaptorOne

Ah that explains it then. Not as easy as I thought it would be. Either way I enjoy both, physics and maths so shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for the explanation.