The UCC 'Off-Topic' Thread

Nope..

Quick question, is events.ucc.ie down for everyone or just me?

Umail is down. Again. Surprise surprise.

Could anybody tell me what are the recommended texts for the modules that I will be doing in first year mathematical sciences.
The modules that I will be doing for the first term are:
AM1052 - Introduction to Mechanics
AM1053 - Introduction to Mathematical Modelling
MA1059 - Calculus
MA1057 - Introduction to Abstract Algebra
PY1052 - Introductory Physics 1

I'll be around the campus for 3/4 days before lectures start and I want to have a look at the books that I'll be using.

Neodymium wrote: »

AM1052 - Introduction to Mechanics

I don't think there is a book for this course.

Neodymium wrote: »

AM1053 - Introduction to Mathematical Modelling

There's no official book, but Steven Strogatz's Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos contains material from the course - and it's a great book, anyway.

Neodymium wrote: »

MA1059 - Calculus

Last year one had to buy Walter Rudin's The Principles of Mathematical Analysis.

Neodymium wrote: »

MA1057 - Introduction to Abstract Algebra

Asfaik the official text is Hungerford's Abstract Algebra: An Introduction. I think the Hungerford book is pretty poor though. I don't really have an interest in algebra, so I can't recommend a replacement. John Stillwell's Elements of Algebra might be worth looking at though, if you're interested in finding motivation for some of it, which is generally lacking from algebra books and courses.

Neodymium wrote: »

PY1052 - Introductory Physics 1

Understanding Physics - Mansfield & O'Sullivan

There was a new edition out last year that was "required" for the course. Looked the same as the first edition to me BUT some of the problems were numbered differently. In PY1052 & PY1053 the weekly homework is taken from the problem sets at the end of each chapter. So make sure you have the correct questions!

MA1059- Calculus

Walter Rudin's The Principles of Mathematical Analysis for the analysis part but there is very little calculus in it. Also I found it on pdf online. This is a new module number right? Probably split the MA1054/55 into two 10 credit modules.


Did anyone do second year chemistry and/or physics last year? Just looking for the tutorial times because they're not on the timetables yet.

How is everyone? Looking forward to the start of term? Any first year CK406ers feel free to pm me with any questions! I did option 3.

Did anyone get their repeat results back today? Some are out already but Science are tinkling out this week. http://www.ucc.ie/en/exams/results/result-dates/

That's right, you were sick for you last exam. Well I hope it works out for you! Luckily I did have any repeats this year for the first time ever. I have a few nervous friends waiting this week though.

Izzie11 wrote: »

Any book recommendations for MA1003??

Here a website from last year. Looks like Ben McKay taught it... Good luck!

The book is J. Stewart, Calculus: Early Transcendentals, it's about £30 used on amazon.

But here are some free books online

• http://euclid.ucc.ie/pages/staff/Mckay/calculus/Strang/Calculus.pdf
• http://euclid.ucc.ie/pages/staff/Mckay/calculus/Rossi/

Izzie11 wrote: »

Thanks Nervosa. I just had a look online for that Calculus book by James Stewart and there seems to be loads of different editions. I know on the Lecturers site he says get edition 6 but would it be safe to buy it now? I'd be afraid he might decide to go for edition 7 from now on! Also should I get the international metric edition?? I'm clueless

Best to hold off on buying it until the lecturer picks an edition (if at all) unless someone like Screaminmidget offers you a second hand version at a good discount! All the editions are actually all pretty much the same, it's mostly just the exercise numbers scrambled a bit, the chapters moved about (in the "Early Transcendental" case), or the units changed (for the "metric" edition). I'm convinced that the whole series is just a classic money making endeavor, in the spirit of the old leaving cert books having different "editions" every 2 or 3 years. I personally rate the Stewart book as one of the worst mathematics books I've ever come across.

Nice find Nervosa! I think Beamish is €3 in the Old Bar. I don't think you can get Beamish in the New Bar, and the other stouts are more expensive. I heard that the Old Bar can charge lower prices because they don't stock any Diageo beers: when a pub stocks Diageo beers they're oblidged to charge a minimum price on other non-Diageo drinks.