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Science Education

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  • 21-01-2011 10:57pm
    #1
    Dory353
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33 ✭


    Hi there. Is anyone out there studying the Biological Science with Physics/Chem course? Just wondered is it a fairly difficult course? What are the job opportunities like? Is the TP in Limerick or a school of your choice? How is it decided who gets to specialise in Physics & in Chemistry? Thanks :)


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    #2
    danlen
    Registered Users Posts: 630 ✭✭✭danlen


    The course in general isn't too difficult for the most part. imo the hardest part is doing the science subjects in first year that you did not do in second level. For me I found the organic and inorganic chemistry modules pretty tough as I had never done chemistry before. The biology stuff should be fine if you a bit of work at all. The education modules are boring as f*ck but you should be able to get through them no problem. Depending on yourself there can be one or two tricky modules, e.g. i found biochemistry pretty tough going, but in general the course is grand.

    For TP you to list about 4 or 5 towns of your choice and the TP office try to get you your highest preference possible (well they're supposed to anyway).

    You decide yourself whether you want to choose physics or chemistry after first year. Generally the chemistry option is alot bigger class.

    Hope this helps


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    #3
    Dory353
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33 ✭Dory353


    danlen wrote: »
    The course in general isn't too difficult for the most part. imo the hardest part is doing the science subjects in first year that you did not do in second level. For me I found the organic and inorganic chemistry modules pretty tough as I had never done chemistry before. The biology stuff should be fine if you a bit of work at all. The education modules are boring as f*ck but you should be able to get through them no problem. Depending on yourself there can be one or two tricky modules, e.g. i found biochemistry pretty tough going, but in general the course is grand.

    For TP you to list about 4 or 5 towns of your choice and the TP office try to get you your highest preference possible (well they're supposed to anyway).

    You decide yourself whether you want to choose physics or chemistry after first year. Generally the chemistry option is alot bigger class.

    Hope this helps

    Thanks for the reply! Are you enjoying the course/glad you picked it? What are the hours like? How have you found being in the classroom?


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    #4
    danlen
    Registered Users Posts: 630 ✭✭✭danlen


    Dory353 wrote: »
    Thanks for the reply! Are you enjoying the course/glad you picked it? What are the hours like? How have you found being in the classroom?

    Hours are typically 22-26 hours a week for most semesters.

    If you want to get into science teaching I definately believe this is the best course you can do to get into it. No need for a Hdip afterwards!

    Being out on TP is quite intense and I was glad to be finshed and get back to college but from a learning point of view you will learn more about teaching from a few weeks of teaching practice than from all the education modules put together.

    What science subjects are you doing??


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    #5
    Dory353
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33 ✭Dory353


    danlen wrote: »
    Hours are typically 22-26 hours a week for most semesters.

    If you want to get into science teaching I definately believe this is the best course you can do to get into it. No need for a Hdip afterwards!

    Being out on TP is quite intense and I was glad to be finshed and get back to college but from a learning point of view you will learn more about teaching from a few weeks of teaching practice than from all the education modules put together.

    What science subjects are you doing??

    Biology & Chemistry! Seriously HATE physics so would hope to drop it after 1st Year. What are the maths modules like? I'm doing Ordinary Level. In what aspect would you say it's intense?? Are the classes on TP difficult to work with? I'm just worried that I may not be cut out for the job although I could probably handle the course itself okay.


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    #6
    danlen
    Registered Users Posts: 630 ✭✭✭danlen


    Dory353 wrote: »
    Biology & Chemistry!

    You are already at a great advantage doing 2 science subjects.
    Dory353 wrote: »
    What are the maths modules like? I'm doing Ordinary Level.

    I did higher level for the LC and I found the modules grand. Didn't really need to put in much to get through them tbh. However if you really are struggling with them you could go to the maths learning centre (its free) so I wouldn't imagine you having any problems passing the module.
    Dory353 wrote: »
    In what aspect would you say it's intense??

    Paperwork!!
    Dory353 wrote: »
    Are the classes on TP difficult to work with? I'm just worried that I may not be cut out for the job although I could probably handle the course itself okay.

    There's plenty of opportunity for you to find out if teaching is for you early on. In first year you do a week placement in a primary school and then you have 6 weeks TP in second year. You'll know by then if you really don't wanna teach. I actually think there are quite a few graduates each year who either go onto postgrad study or get work in industry rather than go into second-level teaching.

    My only advice would be once you make a decision commit to it and most of all enjoy it!! No matter what course you end up doing or what college you end up goin to you should try to enjoy it as much as you can!!

    Best of luck in whatever you decide.


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