Science at NUIM

Lucas10101

I think I will be taking a science degree course but am really undecided as to where I will attend, I put similar threads in UCD and TCD over the past few weeks as those two plus NUIM are the only places I'm considering. I would like to know about the course although I'd rather not hear about Computer Science as I'll never do it.

So what's the course like, I would like a degree where it's as good as anywhere in the country and we know that Trinity is internationally recognised the most so maybe there the best degree course ( Hard not Easy ) in terms of coming out satisfied and being the same "quality" so to speak?? However I'm probably wrong? Opinions?

In terms of actual coursewise, I like the layout and that you can pick 4 subjects rather than 3 in Trinity but academically, is this a disadvantage than not doing 3 in more depth? Again, would like opinion to clarify these things?

I would pick Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths(The more advanced course in maths for first yr) for first year and decide later as to what I would take in second year, what's these courses like?? I'm going to get 510+ points in my LC with high grades in HL Chemistry(B1+) and HL Biology (A1) and HL Maths (B2), unfortunately haven't done Physics, would that be a problem?? I hear First Year is Higher Level LC anyway, any truth to this? In terms of the subjects I've picked, whats first year like for me and for subsequent years in Bio, Chem, and Phys?

Are facilities in NUIM up to scratch and is there any problems with the course and/or coursework and/or facilities?

Any other information would be great as I have to make my final decision by next 12 days so is quite important that I get good responses to these questions? Would appreciate responses on all the questions posed? Opinions on the course and what you expected and happened to experience or feel towards the course would also be appreciated greatly.

I've read the prospectus, alternative threads here on boards and all pdf. and website files associated with these courses and opinions but would appreciate actual responses to all my questions posed here as these are the ones that interest me specifically. Thanks for any responses that people have.

Lucas10101

nothing

Lucas10101 wrote:

I think I will be taking a science degree course but am really undecided as to where I will attend, I put similar threads in UCD and TCD over the past few weeks as those two plus NUIM are the only places I'm considering. I would like to know about the course although I'd rather not hear about Computer Science as I'll never do it.

Ok, I'm in Maynooth, going into final year Science, also never did Comp Sci... so here goes...

So what's the course like, I would like a degree where it's as good as anywhere in the country and we know that Trinity is internationally recognised the most so maybe there the best degree course ( Hard not Easy ) in terms of coming out satisfied and being the same "quality" so to speak?? However I'm probably wrong? Opinions?

Trinity used to issue the degrees for Maynooth, before it became an NUI, so it's no less or more of a degree. The problem with Trinity will be that you'll come out with a BA(Mod) as opposed to a BSc, and that won't stand up to you in a job interview. If anything Trinity would be the lower option as regards quality.

In terms of actual coursewise, I like the layout and that you can pick 4 subjects rather than 3 in Trinity but academically, is this a disadvantage than not doing 3 in more depth? Again, would like opinion to clarify these things?

All first years do is basically the leaving cert smushed into one year. The advantage of 4 subjects is that you get a better chance to get the know the subjects without losing out on the depth of study, and if you decide to teach, it'll help a lot.

I would pick Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths(The more advanced course in maths for first yr) for first year and decide later as to what I would take in second year, what's these courses like?? I'm going to get 510+ points in my LC with high grades in HL Chemistry(B1+) and HL Biology (A1) and HL Maths (B2), unfortunately haven't done Physics, would that be a problem?? I hear First Year is Higher Level LC anyway, any truth to this? In terms of the subjects I've picked, whats first year like for me and for subsequent years in Bio, Chem, and Phys?

Yep, it's all higher LC, you'll float no bother through the three you're doing. However with three lab subjects, that 6 hours of labs a week (trust me, that's a lot) so I would suggest Maths Phys, which from the sound of it, you would absolutely fly through even without having done physics. But if your mind is set on Ex Phys, then you'll still be fine, it means you'll only have one subject to really study in first.

Are facilities in NUIM up to scratch and is there any problems with the course and/or coursework and/or facilities?

Ah, the science facilities in 'nooth are more modern and up to date than in either Trinity or UCD as it's all relatively new buildings. The only course that I've heard causing problems is Comp Sci, but since you've no intention of doing it lol...

Any other information would be great as I have to make my final decision by next 12 days so is quite important that I get good responses to these questions? Would appreciate responses on all the questions posed? Opinions on the course and what you expected and happened to experience or feel towards the course would also be appreciated greatly.

As for the college itself, go to http://www.nuimsu.com/ and click on clubs and socs to get full lists of all the clubs and societies here. There are ones to suit every taste, from jock to nerd!

I've read the prospectus, alternative threads here on boards and all pdf. and website files associated with these courses and opinions but would appreciate actual responses to all my questions posed here as these are the ones that interest me specifically. Thanks for any responses that people have.

Lucas10101

Hope that all helps. Feel free to pm me for any other info.

Lucas10101

Thanks for that Reply Nothing. I get a sense that Maynooth may be better from you due to the bashing of the BA(Mod), not upto date facilities and ""If anything Trinity would be the lower option"". Although there must be truth to this. I wouldn't like having a BA rather than B.Sc. I'm not doing an Arts degree after all

Does anyone else have their opinions on the questions I had or what?

Nothing, whats 2nd, 3rd and 4th year like in Phys, Chem and Bio because would like to know if I should actually take Maths Phys or what and knowing about the course in 2nd, 3rd and 4th year would aid that decision, Thanks Nothing.

John

nothing wrote:

The problem with Trinity will be that you'll come out with a BA(Mod) as opposed to a BSc, and that won't stand up to you in a job interview. If anything Trinity would be the lower option as regards quality.

Not true in the slightest way. The degrees are taken as seriously as each other, people who recruit science students know that a BA (Mod in x science) is as serious a science degree as a BSc.

The advantage of 4 subjects is that you get a better chance to get the know the subjects without losing out on the depth of study, and if you decide to teach, it'll help a lot.

Actually in TCD you don't do 4 subjects, you do 3 plus a small course in maths if you don't take full maths as one of your 3 (i.e. if you take full maths, you take two other subjects and if you don't, you can pick three subjects and do maths methods on top of them. Same courses as the people doing full maths but you've slightly more work to do).

Yep, it's all higher LC, you'll float no bother through the three you're doing. However with three lab subjects, that 6 hours of labs a week (trust me, that's a lot) so I would suggest Maths Phys, which from the sound of it, you would absolutely fly through even without having done physics. But if your mind is set on Ex Phys, then you'll still be fine, it means you'll only have one subject to really study in first.

Yes, the courses are all pitched at a level that doesn't preclude those who haven't done the subject and hopefully doesn't bore those who have. Not everyone can do every science subject for the LC so they have to cater for all levels. The learning curve is fairly steep, even if you've done the subject before you really do need to keep up to date with your work and go to the lectures.

Ah, the science facilities in 'nooth are more modern and up to date than in either Trinity or UCD as it's all relatively new buildings.

They're all about the same from what I've seen. I definitely wouldn't say Maynooth is more modern considering the science end of things is exactly as old as TCD's and at the end of the day, it's what is in the buildings that counts.

Basically my advice is to look at what you want to do in 3-4 years time. Not every college offers the same specialities. At undergrad levels, the courses and facilities will be roughly the same in all three colleges you're interested in. All three colleges will have its great and bad lecturers. At the end of the day go for what you're interested in.

r3nu4l

I did my B.Sc in NUIM and two-thirds of my PhD in NUIM and one third in TCD (graduated with an NUIM PhD).

I demonstrated at undergraduate practicals in Biology for 3 years (to all undergraduate levels and years) and I worked as research staff in NUIM Biology department for 3 years.

I'll re-iterate what John said. The BA(Mod) is equally as recognised as a BSc when it comes to jobs, don't let that put you off in the slightest. Both degrees are equal in my view. There is feck all difference in terms of employability after graduating.

In some ways TCD students "specialise" too early in their degree as I've met many TCD students who were lacking in some knowledge of certain areas that it would have been useful to have for their PhD but in other areas they had slightly more knowledge so it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. In other words, again, I feel both degrees are equal.

The Biology degree is of excellent standard and believe me having shared a house with an honours graduate from Cambridge University I can tell you that the NUIM Biology degree beats the Cambridge degree hands down! I was shocked!

There is no disadvantage to doing four subjects that I'm aware of. A large part of my PhD and subsequent research involved me using a large amount of techniques from Chemistry, good statistical knowledge and some use of computer science to analyse my DNA sequence results. So I ended up using all four of my first year subjects to some extent

First year will bring you to Honours Leaving Cert standard in most subjects, maybe a bit more in some, a bit less in others. Subsequent years do involve a learning curve but so long as you get the head down and do a bit of hard work you can manage. Post-grad students are often willing to provide grinds coming towards exam time if you are really stuck. It supplements their income

NUIM have invested heavily in Science and Arts over the years and the facilities are absolutely excellent, certainly for Biology and Chemistry anyway. I can't speak for the other subjects.

Just so you know, following my degree from NUIM I was offered PhD's in UCD, TCD and NUIM. They were the only places I applied and I was offered them all so there can't be much wrong with the degree if every institute you go to wants to take you on

A word of warning, NUIM has a reputation of being "easy to get into, dificult to get out of with a qualification". Every year, many people fail exams. Maynooth has good sports facilities and can be great fun for nights out and having a laugh but if you get too carried away, miss a lot of lectures and don't study, complete tutorials and course-work then at the end of the year you can become seriously lost and that doesn't bode well for the exams. Have fun and enjoy it but make sure you do some work. That goes for whatever Uni you end up going to

EDIT:

Lucas10101

Thanks for all the responses I've had btw.

Yeah, I think I'm beginning to conclude where to go now. Your responses have actually helped a lot believe it or not. I've abolished UCD as a choice for science and it's between TCD and NUIM.

I know the TCD offer a study abroad, do NUIM have one in or sciences?

I know that each year different topics may be studied. I found these Pdf. files showing exactly what topics are studied for NUIM, however I cannot find them, it's not the ones listed on this page:
http://admissions.nuim.ie/subjects/science_overview.shtml
These are pdf. files where it shows what topics say for example Plant Biology or Proteomics or whatever. They would be useful, can't find them anymore though.

Anyhow, what's 2nd, 3rd and 4th year Bio, Chem and Phys like, tell me all you know please as I want to know what's done.

nothing

Yeah, NUIM has a thing called Erasmus where studetns can do a year study in another country (France / Germany etc, also America).

I did Chem and Phys in second year and they were grand, once you knew the first year stuff well and kept up with things. I never did Bio though, so can't help there. Also dropped all labs to do Maths in third and for final year with Stats.

Gone West

TBH They are probably neck and neck academically, not much difference in a science course anywhere really.
Reason I chose NUIM over TCD/UCD is location.

Theres no commute to university. During term I live between 2-5 minutes walk to my labs and lectures.
Rent is cheap. If you can only afford 65 a week for rent, you can still find an alright house in Maynooth.
Food is cheap, there is a dunnes across the road from the university, and the town is very studenty.
I find that in Dublin, you have to pay more money for less, you pay more for a smaller, dingier apartment which is further away from classes. I couldn't imagine getting a bus to college every day, it would be torture!

To me, TCD is a shortcut on the way to work everyday. The same as a lot of other people, to others its a tourist attraction because of the book of kells. I decided I couldn't put up with trying to study smack bang in the middle of a city full of people all rushing somewhere.

eg: for the exams this year, I spent half my time outside, wifi laptop with notes all online, notepad and pen and nobody rushing anywhere. Was pure relaxin! got loads of work done. All on the south campus in NUIM. Last summer when I sat on the grass in TCD, security cam over and moved me along, because the one small bit of green in the concrete jungle is only for playing cricket on.

A few years in, Im glad I picked here and not UCD/TCD/etc.

Gone West

Dont be so worried about the academic side of things. They will be fine, you neednt worry!

Just make sure that the logistics are going to be fine. Are there clubs you will be interested in, societies, will you need a job, will there be one available, will you be able to find somewhere to live close to the uni, etc etc.


Also, NUIM will give you a grand in first year if you get more than 500 points.

Lucas10101

Well, $1,000 is an okay amount to recieve and I think I will be putting Maynooth Science down as my course after all. Reasons are:

(i) Don't want a BA, would prefer to see a B.Sc on my CV.
(ii) Not as busy busy as Dublin and commuting distance is less than Dublin.
(iii) I would rather study 4 subjects in First Year than 6 or 3 respectively.
(iv) As Renewal said, it's an equal degree to TCD's if not better quality.
(v) I was there many times from my school and it looks like very good facilities. We used the labs for LC Experiments and it was very good there.
(vi) You don't have to specialise too early as in the case of TCD.

There are a few other reasons, them being my main.
***************************************
" easy to get into, dificult to get out of with a qualification "
What exactly does this imply, high failure rates and very difficult exams?

Any other information for the course?
When do you apply for accomodation and which is the cheapest most realistic form offered?

Gone West

almost as good as €1000!

Lucas10101

Well wasn't that constructive.....

Anyway.....my previous questions:

" easy to get into, dificult to get out of with a qualification "
What exactly does this imply, high failure rates and very difficult exams?

Any other information for the course?
When do you apply for accomodation and which is the cheapest most realistic form offered?

Enemy Of Fate

nothing wrote:

Yeah, NUIM has a thing called Erasmus where studetns can do a year study in another country (France / Germany etc, also America).

Really?Interesting....Is that only for the science courses?Cause thats actually the only thing my other courses have that my Maynooth couses don't, a year abroad...which I'd really like.

nothing

Yeah they have it for arts too asaik

The failure rates.... I think because it's still a "new" college, a lot of applicants who get in aren't actually capable of the work after first year. If you go to lectures and do assignments the exams are very managble.

Accomodation - the most expensive is campus, some people think it's great with the proximity to college, but the furthest estates are 20 - 25 in walk away. A good idea might be self catering, which is where you live with someone who owns the house but fend for yourself, then after xmas get a house with friends. Alternitively if you already know a couple people going to NUIM, you could organise a day to go up and view houses when your results come out,

Enemy Of Fate

nothing wrote:

Yeah they have it for arts too asaik

Damn....still no good to me

nothing wrote:

Accomodation - the most expensive is campus, some people think it's great with the proximity to college, but the furthest estates are 20 - 25 in walk away. A good idea might be self catering, which is where you live with someone who owns the house but fend for yourself, then after xmas get a house with friends. Alternitively if you already know a couple people going to NUIM, you could organise a day to go up and view houses when your results come out,

Eh?I'm confused.Isn't on-campus accomadation....on campus?How can it be on-campus if its 20-25 minutes away?

r3nu4l

nothing wrote:

The failure rates.... I think because it's still a "new" college, a lot of applicants who get in aren't actually capable of the work after first year. If you go to lectures and do assignments the exams are very managble.

NUI Maynooth came into being in 1997, before that it had been awarding degrees for 200 years to Seminarians and more recently, from 1966, lay students have been attending as Maynooth College was an affiliate college to the NUI rather than a full University, so I don't think that it can be described as a 'new' college.

Smurfpiss

also the statistics oft quoted in the papers about maynooth's failure/drop out rates are about a decade out of date.

People do fail, and people repeat in the autumn. Very few actually repeat the year and the odd person repeats final year (either they failed miserably or they want that elusive first class honours)
But I wouldn't say it has any higher failure rates now a days than any other university.

That said I was still shocked at how lazy some people could get, it's very easy to get sucked into the relaxed attitude when in college, but if you're academically inclined you will do fine. Just put the work in and you can still enjoy yourself.

It's a really friendly university and I'd say overall the science course is of a very high standard.

Fingers crossed I get my degree in TP in sept!

(oh and yeah the €1000 really doesn't hurt :P)