Science TR071

Glitter_star94 · 04-08-2012 07:44PM

Lawliet wrote: »

You will have to pick modules during freshers week, the choices are here:
http://www.tcd.ie/Science/undergraduate/jf/

Oh okay thanks, why were some people talking about doing language moduals then?

Lawliet · 04-08-2012 08:09PM

Glitter_star94 wrote: »

Oh okay thanks, why were some people talking about doing language moduals then?

You can do a language module in third year as broad curriculum. There's also optional language classes in the evenings for first years, you don't get any marks for them though, I don't think anyone really bothers with them tbh

Phareon · 04-08-2012 09:20PM

Glitter_star94 wrote: »

Aww phew!! I had a mint heart attack! Haha, so do I not need to choose anything or any modules if I end up going in September? (as an undergraduate)

You should have a rough idea of what 1st year modules you want to do. I think they're available on the Trinity website, but you'll be sent a handbook with any information you might need, some time after CAO offers, if you accept a place to the course. 1st year modules are fairly flexible at the start. First semester modules can be switched for about the first two weeks, while 2nd semester can be switched any time before January! Don't worry, the handbook will tell you everything!!

Glitter_star94 · 05-08-2012 07:09AM

Lawliet wrote: »

You can do a language module in third year as broad curriculum. There's also optional language classes in the evenings for first years, you don't get any marks for them though, I don't think anyone really bothers with them tbh

Oh I think I would be interested in that, is it only for science students or just any trinity students?

05-08-2012 12:36PM

Glitter_star94 wrote: »

Oh I think I would be interested in that, is it only for science students or just any trinity students?

The first year language modules are separate to your course, anyone in Trinity can do them I think. However the broad curriculum choice in third year depends on your course and module choices.

And if you are a worrier, I'd just warn you that the information they send you in the post can come out very last minute (I was convinced they forgot about me!) but the booklet is freely available in the science course office on campus to whoever wants one (if I recall correctly).

Scoobydooo · 05-08-2012 12:54PM

Scoobydooo wrote: »

Starting micro myself as a JS but it's really starting to worry me everyone saying things like this to me, could anyone actually studying the subject give it a fair assessment? I'm really interested in the subject area but I've heard its very difficult :eek:

Anyone on here do micro, no?

fishtastico · 12-08-2012 10:41AM

Scoobydooo wrote: »

Anyone on here do micro, no?

Did my degree in micro, currently a postgrad there. What do ye need to know?

Scoobydooo · 13-08-2012 01:18AM

Thanks for the reply! Basically just wondering is it as tough as its made out to be by other students, I've heard some pretty poor reports on the subject but it really interested me so I decided to go with it anyway. Also looking back on it do you think it's a good degree and if you don't mind me asking what are you doing your postgrad in?

fishtastico · 13-08-2012 09:30AM

From the students' point of view, Micro can be pretty tough. That's mainly because you cover applied microbiology, genetics and some biochem in pretty close detail. That being said, it's definitely not that hard to get a decent grade. From demonstrating, I've found that the students that complain the most about stuff being too hard are the ones not bloody paying attention or showing up for labs. So as far as difficulty is concerned, just pay attention and keep on top of your work and you'll be fine (protip: when there's only a class of ~30 students, lecturers know who is missing lectures, and this doesn't paint you in a flattering light come exam-time).

Personally, I loved micro. Great, varied subject and I really enjoyed the practical aspect. I think because of the fact that there's such a wide base covered, it makes for a good degree, which is exactly what's intended. Also, for the final year project they offer clinical, molecular and applied projects, depending on what you're interested in, so if you're into the subject at all you'll find something.

As for my postgrad, I work on yeast. Not something that interested me terribly in undergrad, but it definitely grew on me. Other than that, I'll see you next month and good luck!

DancingQueen:) · 19-08-2012 09:44PM

Don't suppose anyone knows when the JS timetables will be out? I know it's up to each different department but just to have a rough idea?

Jammyc · 20-08-2012 02:19AM

DancingQueen:) wrote: »

Don't suppose anyone knows when the JS timetables will be out? I know it's up to each different department but just to have a rough idea?

Not sure how on par with the rest are but last year Physiology got a rough draft the Friday before we started and the proper copy the Wednesday of week 1.

Cooper. · 20-08-2012 04:12AM

Hi all. Looks like I'll probably be studying Science at Trinity with a view of doing a moderatorship in Neuroscience or Physiology and then graduate medicine. So I'm looking at taking Biology, Chemistry and Maths in JF. Only thing is, I haven't done Maths since GCSE (Junior Cert) level and was wondering whether this will pose a serious problem for me. I really would like to do it, and I did pretty well back in school (didn't take it at A-Level because of a rubbish teacher who ruined it for me).

banjopaul · 20-08-2012 04:20AM

Cooper. wrote: »

Hi all. Looks like I'll probably be studying Science at Trinity with a view of doing a moderatorship in Neuroscience or Physiology and then graduate medicine. So I'm looking at taking Biology, Chemistry and Maths in JF. Only thing is, I haven't done Maths since GCSE (Junior Cert) level and was wondering whether this will pose a serious problem for me. I really would like to do it, and I did pretty well back in school (didn't take it at A-Level because of a rubbish teacher who ruined it for me).

You have the option of just doing maths methods, which is pretty easy, and then doing something like geology or geography to make up credits, which I did. Full maths can be pretty tough from what I've heard, but better to ask people who've actually done it.

Cooper. · 20-08-2012 04:35AM

banjopaul wrote: »

You have the option of just doing maths methods, which is pretty easy, and then doing something like geology or geography to make up credits, which I did. Full maths can be pretty tough from what I've heard, but better to ask people who've actually done it.

Isn't there something like a maths help centre at college? Thing is, I would really like to improve my maths, I'm just wondering whether that's feasible at this point.

banjopaul · 20-08-2012 05:01AM

Cooper. wrote: »

Isn't there something like a maths help centre at college? Thing is, I would really like to improve my maths, I'm just wondering whether that's feasible at this point.

I think the maths department has a drop in session thing once a week to get a help, but I can't remember specifically what it was, someone else should be able to help with this. There are also relatively small group tutorials, ~30 probably, so yeah there's some support there, but the tutor probably won't be able to dedicate a huge amount of time to a single person. You can also drop in to lecturers to ask questions if you're struggling with anything, but again with a big class size their time will be limited.

By all means go for it if its what you want to do, you can always just do the full methods course at the start and see how you like it, if you find it very tough you're able to switch to the maths methods module instead, provided there is still space.

Bottleopener · 20-08-2012 05:37AM

banjopaul wrote: »

I think the maths department has a drop in session thing once a week to get a help, but I can't remember specifically what it was, someone else should be able to help with this.

These are on pretty much every day afaik!

bscm · 20-08-2012 07:42AM

The first full Maths module this year wasn't too bad. I heard more complaints from the Maths Methods group than the full Maths group

We had a pretty good Linear Algebra lecturer for half of the module (they may or may not be doing it this year), and their section of the exam was extremely easy for those of us who attended most of the lectures

Cooper. · 20-08-2012 07:47AM

bscm wrote: »

The first full Maths module this year wasn't too bad. I heard more complaints from the Maths Methods group than the full Maths group We had a pretty good Linear Algebra lecturer for half of the module (they may or may not be doing it this year), and their section of the exam was extremely easy for those of us who attended most of the lectures

Is there a lot of overlap with LC / A level Maths, or is it a direct continuation on from LC in terms of difficulty?

bscm · 20-08-2012 08:08AM

Cooper. wrote: »

Is there a lot of overlap with LC / A level Maths, or is it a direct continuation on from LC in terms of difficulty?

Linear Algebra is mainly matrices, which aren't covered to the same level in LC HL Maths. But you spend most of the semester on them, so you can do them in your sleep. They aren't difficult once you understand how to solve them (Gauss-Jordan elimination, essentially trying to get as many 1's and 0's as possible in a certain order).

The Calculus part of the module has an overlap with LC HL Maths (the old course, from 2011 backwards). We covered differentiation and functions. It wasn't as easy as the Linear Algebra part of the module, but those of us who had sat the HL paper didn't have too much trouble with it. The recommended book is quite good, but you could easily learn most of the Calculus content from a LC HL book (just make sure to find one for the 2011 course or before).

spl546 · 20-08-2012 11:04AM

I just accepted my offer for this course

Can you do JF Biology without having done it for A level (im from the north)? Im wanting to do Maths, Chem, Bio or Physics. I did maths, chem and physics for A level

Lawliet · 20-08-2012 11:19AM

spl546 wrote: »

I just accepted my offer for this course Can you do JF Biology with having done it for A level (im from the north)? Im wanting to do Maths, Chem, Bio or Physics. I did maths, chem and physics for A level

Yes, once you're on the course you can pick any of the first year modules. Lots of people pick up a subject or two they've never done before

kaet · 20-08-2012 11:35AM

Hey I know this isn't strictly related, but does anyone know anything about how Theoretical Physics and N-PCAM might overlap?

Just missed out on TP this year but I'd originally planned to use it as a broader way into something engineering/nanoscience-y which I know can be done following JS. Doubting that it works vice versa due to the specific nature of N-PCAM but thought I'd ask anyway. Help greatly appreciated.

Cooper. · 20-08-2012 11:40AM

Thanks for the input.

Glitter_star94 · 20-08-2012 11:41AM

Guessing this isn't possible, but i got an offer for this (my second) but desperately wanted veterinary medicine at UCD.
Is there any way at all of transferring or anything like that? (i'm an a-level applicant)

airurando · 20-08-2012 12:26PM

kaet wrote: »

Hey I know this isn't strictly related, but does anyone know anything about how Theoretical Physics and N-PCAM might overlap?

Just missed out on TP this year but I'd originally planned to use it as a broader way into something engineering/nanoscience-y which I know can be done following JS. Doubting that it works vice versa due to the specific nature of N-PCAM but thought I'd ask anyway. Help greatly appreciated.

Well, if you want to do something in the engineering/applied science direction, then you'll be much better placed to do that out of NPCAM than TP, in all honesty. NPCAM is one of the broader courses in the science block, because it's the only one that covers both physics and chemistry right through until you graduate. TP is roughly half maths, half physics (biased more towards maths in the first two years), and they share a lot of the physics classes with you, but they skip mechanics and circuit theory (the more "applied" classes, though they may do a mechanics-like class through maths. If so, then I'd wager it has a very different emphasis to what we covered).

If you decide that nanoscience/materials science isn't for you, then you can transfer into regular physics, astrophysics or chemistry when you get into third year anyway. You spend nearly all your time with the regular science crowd anyway, so most of them have no idea who's in PCAM and who isn't. But nano/materials is a huge research area right now, and it's in demand in all sorts of fields (anything from fuel cell research to ultra-strong, lightweight alloys for vehicle design), so there'll probably be something to interest you in there if applied science is your target.

TP's can transfer into regular physics in third year, and into regular maths at any time until fourth year, IIRC, but I don't think that was the kind of transfer you're describing?

LSP · 20-08-2012 12:38PM

I haven't done maths in over a year, and dropped to OL before my first LC. As I think I have to do maths for genetics, this year should be fun! I see repeats in my future

NoHarm1994 · 20-08-2012 12:42PM

I have just accepted a place in Trinity Science! Seriously excited and cant wait to start

any advice from students doing it already for us freshers?

Morgase · 20-08-2012 12:55PM

spl546 wrote: »

I just accepted my offer for this course Can you do JF Biology without having done it for A level (im from the north)? Im wanting to do Maths, Chem, Bio or Physics. I did maths, chem and physics for A level

As has been said, you can indeed. If you're very enthusiastic, you might see if you can find a secondhand copy of the main biology book which is "Biology" by Campbell and Reese. You really don't need to, but if you're thinking of sticking with biology you might find it useful to have.

NoHarm1994 wrote: »

I have just accepted a place in Trinity Science! Seriously excited and cant wait to start any advice from students doing it already for us freshers?

The main thing is to keep up with the lectures and coursework. When you do a lab, do the lab report as soon as you can, not the night before it's due! Review the lectures as soon as you can, that evening if possible. If the lecturerers make their slides available before the lecture (via email or website), print them off or at least have a look at them beforehand.

leaveiton · 20-08-2012 01:43PM

Accepted a place on this course this morning

Came in to ask about the maths involved, but it looks like most of my questions have been answered already. Is it a big step up from LC maths, or does it kind of just go over what you'd already know but in more detail?

Irish_wolf · 20-08-2012 05:12PM

leaveiton wrote: »

Accepted a place on this course this morning Came in to ask about the maths involved, but it looks like most of my questions have been answered already. Is it a big step up from LC maths, or does it kind of just go over what you'd already know but in more detail?

It's definitely a step up in second semester. First semester is LC maths + a bit extra and more explanation of why and how you're doing what you are doing (first principles etc). But second semester brings in more complicated calculus and stuff. It's definitely hard if you dont put the work in.

Tbh though if you attend every lecture and every tutorial you shouldn't have a problem.

In fact the best advice I can give you is this. Go to every tutorial, and prepare for every tutorial. If you put in an hour of revision before each tutorial you'll know what you dont know and what to ask. You'll be able to get through the easy questions fast and then be able to spend more time on the stuff you dont understand.

Obviously you wont do this, but it's still good advice.

Science TR071

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