CK402 - Biological and Chemical Sciences

notnormal

Hey, so I'm hoping I'll be doing this course this year. Just wondering if anyone else on here will be starting? No idea what I'll do degree-wise so this seemed best for me, anyone in same boat?

See ye round UCC

captainspeckle

i have a friend doing that course and headin into 2nd year in september, she is still not completely sure what she wants to do when she is finished either but she has loads of options because the degree is so broad, so i think you are safe on that side of things anyways! dont worry you will figure it out eventually, just enjoy it! best of luck with your lc results and CAO!

KnifeWRENCH

Well if you don't know what degree you want yet but you're interested in Biology and Chemistry then you've definitely picked the right course.

My sister did this course and had plenty of options for which degree to choose. She eventually went for Microbiology and loved it.

chemistycoco

hey im doin biological and chemical sciences in ucc and i love it!

I must say that myself and all my friends( in other courses and in biochem) werent too sure after the inital 'YAY COLLEGE' feeling. But i must say after gettin used to bein away from home i LOVED UCC and cork!I cant wait to head back.

Biochem is a fab course, there's so much options. But you must do well in your summer exams to get your pick of courses for 2nd yr!

Good luck!

Homicidal_jesus

im going into 1st yr biochem too!!cant wait!!freakin love biology and chemistry

notnormal

yay I'm not the only freak who loves biology n chemistry, I've known since first yr in secondary that i wanna stick with science forever!

Glad I'm not the only one who feels like that, all my friends are arts students, they think I'm crazy!

Bloody Nipples

Screw the arts students, they're dead in the water in regards getting a real job in the current economic climate. I'm going into 3rd year biochem, it's a great course and first year is piss. And fyi, you don't have to do well in your first year exams to get your course, that's second year.

captainspeckle

Bloody Nipples wrote: »

Screw the arts students, they're dead in the water in regards getting a real job in the current economic climate. I'm going into 3rd year biochem, it's a great course and first year is piss. And fyi, you don't have to do well in your first year exams to get your course, that's second year.

you are pretty much wrong on every count there. you do have to do well in your first year exams to get into the subject groupings you want or if you want to do something like biomedical science only people in the top precentage are allowed in. i know this from my freind agonising over it. and first year is not "piss" i also know this from the ridiculous amounts of tests and assignments my friends got. Not trying to scare people going into it bt its def challenging, which most courses are. dont expect a walk in the park, OBVIOUSLY...

sunnyevvo

i just finished it... Word of advice study physics everyone fails it in first year.. Study in second year it affects your choices for third year.. I specialised in Physiology and there are no jobs but hopefully it will have changed by the time ye finish

jonny ambition

I'm going into 1st year chemical science to get into teaching maths and physics. In 2nd year I hope to be getting into Edu in Physical Science which puts you into placement straight off. Guess you'll know pretty quickly if the teaching thing is right for you. Anyway there's only 10 places available so it's very important you do well in 1st year. If 1st year is easy it shouldn't be a problem right?

notnormal

So they tell us haha

I'm in two minds, I'm looking at either doing edu in phys sciences or chem of pharmaceutical compounds. hopefully i'll be able to make up my mind by the end of first year

jonny ambition

Its the 3 months of holidays that get me! No question in my head. But if I dont find teaching is right for me, at least I'll have the science degree.

notnormal

Yeah, that's what appeals to me as well, but remembering the piss we used to take outta our teachers in school (and we were a nice enough crowd) I'm not sure I could put up with it. At least I can take the module and decide whether I wanna keep it up after that

jonny ambition

Yea! I remember. Though there were only 12 of us in honours maths out of 120. A bit of a knacker school!

Anyway I'm looking forward to the choice at the end of 1st year. There is so much you can do with this course. I'm sure we'll all figure it out as the year goes by.

notnormal

We had 15 out of 108 in our honours maths class. Not that our year was dumb, but that our teacher was useless, whole class ended up getting grinds. Its a miracle that we all got an honour in it, that i know of...

Hopefully it'll be handy in the end. I did honours maths, chemistry and biology, so just have to concentrate on physics this year.

Homicidal_jesus

i hate physics really dont want to do it!!at least it will be the only thing i will have to do a decent bit of study for!

Thinking about doing zoology atm!

Kimelastic

Can you still do biomedical science with this course even though it's seperate on the CAO? Or would you have to transfer in second year?

flo8s967qjh0nd

Even those who did physics for the LC may struggle with the first year physics in this course - but it's well worth making the effort because it will effect overall marks.
Attend as many lectures as you can - if you slack in physics particularly, you'll find it hard to get back. If you haven't studied physics before and have trouble with it, get the physics LC book cheap and use that to get your bearings before tackling the more advanced stuff.
Same goes with the Biology and Chemistry -- if you haven't done them before, then the LC books are a good starting point IF you get lost.

Attend ALL your labs and tutorials. They are great for getting to know your class and very interesting.

Homicidal_jesus wrote: »

i hate physics really dont want to do it!!at least it will be the only thing i will have to do a decent bit of study for!

If you believe this, you'll believe anything Leaving Biology and Chemistry are a start, but it gets more complicated...fast!

Homicidal_jesus

Gemma Dirty Sagebrush wrote: »

If you believe this, you'll believe anything Leaving Biology and Chemistry are a start, but it gets more complicated...fast!

i no i just wont have to study them as hard as i have a liking of the subjects and it comes naturally to me

liberal

To once and for all cleart things up for those who want to do Biomed!

selection for biomed is based on overall 1st year results average

20 people take the biomed feeder stream in 2nd year, you can also go into biochem, micro, physiology and neuro from this stream if you dont make the cut or if you dont like it

of this 20, 10 of them are taken into 3rd year..based on results average again

in 3rd year you mix with 20 people from 4th year CIT.. making a class of 30

your results from 3rd and 4th year are combined to get your final average (you may dop 15 credits ie 3 modules that you did worst in)

now with your degree you must seek 6 months internship with a hospital medical laboratory, selection is based on your final average

CUH haematology lab being one of the most popular so im told

you must pass exams set and corrected by the HSE to be accrediated and allowed to practice as a Biomedical Scientist

95% of graduates work in labs, 5% research, i would imagine that a sizible number go for graduate entry medicine too


good luck

liberal

Gemma Dirty Sagebrush wrote: »

Even those who did physics for the LC may struggle with the first year physics in this course - but it's well worth making the effort because it will effect overall marks.
Attend as many lectures as you can - if you slack in physics particularly, you'll find it hard to get back. If you haven't studied physics before and have trouble with it, get the physics LC book cheap and use that to get your bearings before tackling the more advanced stuff.
Same goes with the Biology and Chemistry -- if you haven't done them before, then the LC books are a good starting point IF you get lost.

Attend ALL your labs and tutorials. They are great for getting to know your class and very interesting.



If you believe this, you'll believe anything Leaving Biology and Chemistry are a start, but it gets more complicated...fast!

thats some decent advice

the only thing that i would say is easy is the maths, use it to get ur average up!

notnormal

You can no longer do Biomedical Science out of CK402, it had a separate CAO code this year, and you're a student of CIT when you do it.

EugeneOnegin

notnormal wrote: »

You can no longer do Biomedical Science out of CK402, it had a separate CAO code this year, and you're a student of CIT when you do it.

Actually it's a CR code to Biomedical Sciences but the course is still a joint programme between the two institutes. Students already in CK402 can still opt for Biomedical Sciences but it's just that incoming students to CK402 can not choose Biomedical Sciences stream for their degree.

booksscience

Hey, I have some books that would suit this course if anyones interested?
They're in good condition and would sell for good price.
Have a General Biology book, General chemistry and 2 Microbiology books.

booksscience

Hey, I have some books that would suit this course if anyones interested?
They're in good condition and would sell for good price.
Have a General Biology book, General chemistry and 2 Microbiology books.

Homicidal_jesus

so if anyone on here is in 1st year biochem what do ye think of it so far?

flo8s967qjh0nd

Did this course a few years back.
How are people finding it this year?

Jeebus

Most of my mates are doing it.

General consensus is that its a piece of piss (thus far) except for the physics, which is easy at the moment, but they can all see it getting challenging as the year goes on.

ATM I'm helping my friends with it since I got in A2 in the LC, and I'd find it very easy tbh. Most people doing the course don't have physics though, I would imagine !

TEMPLAR KNIGHT

hi everyone sorry for digging up an old thread but im thinking about doing this course this year im currently on a year out after doing my LC, but I just want to ask what people what do they think of this course is it very difficult? ( I didnt do chem or biology for my LC but i got a B1 in honours physics).
What are the hours like a week for labs tuts and lectures etc? I also did pass maths for my leaving and got an A2 would I find the maths in the course very difficult? thanks for reading and any other advice would be great!

twiterlow

you wouldn't be able to do it unless you have two science subjects done, just physics alone wont be enough. i got on alright when i did chem and physics a lot of people struggled with chem and physics in 1st year, even though i went into physiology without doing biology for the leaving so u never know. Did u do ag science by any chance as well?

Papa_Lazarou

TEMPLAR KNIGHT wrote: »

hi everyone sorry for digging up an old thread but im thinking about doing this course this year im currently on a year out after doing my LC, but I just want to ask what people what do they think of this course is it very difficult? ( I didnt do chem or biology for my LC but i got a B1 in honours physics).
What are the hours like a week for labs tuts and lectures etc? I also did pass maths for my leaving and got an A2 would I find the maths in the course very difficult? thanks for reading and any other advice would be great!

Yeah i think if i remember correctly you have to have to have two science subjects for this course. Im hopefully going into 3rd year of it next year year. I found first year pretty alright apart from physics as i hadn't done it in the LC but just keep your head down and you should be alright. I must say the hours are quite demanding due to the number of labs and classes you have but in the end it is worth it all.

The basics maths is pretty ok and the applied maths is a small bit more difficult but once you keep on top of the material given you should be ok(i also dropped down to pass maths two months before the LC)
In first year you will have your obligatory classes and tutorials but will also be given the choice of PAL sessions(you will hear more about these when you enter) I strongly advise that you do these PAL sessions are they are a huge resource for when you are doing exams.

IN first year depending on where your name appears on the roster you could have three days where you are on 9-5 with a few breaks in between and on the two other days have maybe 9/10 til 2 with maybe tutorials at 3 for either of the subjects.

TEMPLAR KNIGHT

thanks for the replies, from what I can see on the website it says you only need a HC3 in one laboratry science subject? I could be missing something though!

Papa_Lazarou

TEMPLAR KNIGHT wrote: »

thanks for the replies, from what I can see on the website it says you only need a HC3 in one laboratry science subject? I could be missing something though!

http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/what/sefs/biolchemsci/

Yup you are actually correct. It seems they changed the requirements this year for the course. All you need is a Higher c3 in the science subject.

notnormal

I think you could cope with it without having done biology and chemistry, but it is biological and chemical sciences, and the chemistry is quite difficult. You would be fine for maths with an A2 in pass maths, and you would be fine for physics with a B1. Biology is a subject that is very easily learned.
You'll need to put in a lot of effort with chemistry though.

As for the hours, worst case scenario you'll have 25 hours a week.

2 hours physics labs (every second week), 2 hours chemistry (every week), 3 hours biology (every few weeks).

3 hours of lectures every day, and up to 2 hours of tutorials a week.

Seanh111

TEMPLAR KNIGHT wrote: »

thanks for the replies, from what I can see on the website it says you only need a HC3 in one laboratry science subject? I could be missing something though!

wel im in 1st year biochem, and i only did biology for my leaving cert so 1 science subject is enough!

having only 1 science subject does make it a lot tougher trust me, most people have done biology and chemistry for the leaving but then again very few have done physics like you have.

chemistry is very tough when you havent done it before, the lectures move very fast and soon enough your doing stuff thats more advanced than leaving cert level. tutotrials and pats are helpfull though, and the exam papers have a habit of repeating themselves so 40% is (im hoping) achievable! biology on the other hand, while it does contain a hell of a lot of learning, most of the topics arnt complicated so understanding them will be no problem its just learning them. and all the biology exams are mcq (multiple choice questions), not as easy as it sounds mind but a lot easier than chemistry and physics.

if you've any questions ask away!

The_D_Man

Seanh111 wrote: »

wel im in 1st year biochem, and i only did biology for my leaving cert so 1 science subject is enough!

having only 1 science subject does make it a lot tougher trust me, most people have done biology and chemistry for the leaving but then again very few have done physics like you have.

chemistry is very tough when you havent done it before, the lectures move very fast and soon enough your doing stuff thats more advanced than leaving cert level. tutotrials and pats are helpfull though, and the exam papers have a habit of repeating themselves so 40% is (im hoping) achievable! biology on the other hand, while it does contain a hell of a lot of learning, most of the topics arnt complicated so understanding them will be no problem its just learning them. and all the biology exams are mcq (multiple choice questions), not as easy as it sounds mind but a lot easier than chemistry and physics.

if you've any questions ask away!

Im doin this course next year and Im doin biology and physics for the leaving but not chemistry which I fair regret now! anyway, how long did it take you to get the hang of chemistry in the course without doing it for the leaving? and is the course very chemistry orientated or is spread out evenly between all the modules?

notnormal

The course is much more biology-oriented than anything else.

Physics is the subject everyone struggles with.

Chemistry is difficult, but manageable, because the chemistry dept. provides a lot more student support than the other depts.

Since you've already done biology, physics and maths, you shouldn't have too much trouble picking up chemistry, provided you invest a reasonable amount of work.

Best of luck

Seanh111

The_D_Man wrote: »

Im doin this course next year and Im doin biology and physics for the leaving but not chemistry which I fair regret now! anyway, how long did it take you to get the hang of chemistry in the course without doing it for the leaving? and is the course very chemistry orientated or is spread out evenly between all the modules?

dont worry about, as I said I only did biology for the la=eaving so your more prepared than I was!

well there's more credits for biology (20) while physics and chemistry have 15 each...but I did find myself spending a lot more time on chemistry. I wont lie its very hard to get the hang of it at first, but once d pats start up they're a huge help! some topics i still dont understand, but once you get to college you'll realise its more a case of well ill learn enough to pass not to get an a1!

Its definately possible to do it, especially when you've already got a background in physics because thats the tricky one really..so dont worry too much its a good course overall!

brianw25

As a mature student, i have been offered a place on biological and chemical sciences. I'm over the moon . Anyone that has done this course, any advice on course content, timetables etc....would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Bloody Nipples

I started CK402 back in 2007 and I'll be graduating in Sept. It's a great course to do if you have an interest in Biology/Chemistry but aren't sure exactly what you want to be doing for the rest of your life as you can specialise in plant biotech, neuroscience, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, zoology, straight chemistry, chemistry of pharmaceutical compounds or chemistry with forensics.

So you're really not pigeon-holing yourself doing this degree. When it comes to making choices, it's important to focus on where you want your degree to take you. Bear in mind that while the chemistry degrees, biochemistry and microbiology (and possibly plant biotech?) all have applications in industry, the others don't and can make obtaining work outside research institutes a bit of a challenge, if you want to stay in the field in which you've studied.

Also at the moment, employment opportunities are limited for people with a basic degree so be prepared to do some kind of postgrad. Personally, I did micro and while 2-3 people in my class have gotten lucky with jobs, many are just going on doing postgrads (I'm doing the MSc in Biotechnology).

Lectures (in my day) had a tendency to run in the mornings to early afternoon and on the days you have a lab then you could expect to be in college 9-6. in 1st year, labs were every second week, for biology, physics and chemistry so you'd be doing 2 labs one week and one the next week. Most importantly, if you want to do well, give the continuous assessment your best shot.

Good luck!

Parsley

^^good advice there, I'm going into 4th year Chemistry with Forensics. Tis great.

ohemgeez

Only thing i can really say about this course is if you dont work at it ( like i did) you can fall behind really badly and struggle, i let it slip and i reckon il be repeating the year now physics maths and chemistry started off quite well but they get very intense fairly quickly, best not become complacent with how your doing on the course.

saw some one asking about the timetable, last years one was ****e up every day of the week at 9 o clock for lectures and you would have tutorials at 4 or 5 in the evening too! the tutorials were optional though so u can just go to lectures and be finished each day at 1 or 2pm