Should I do general science in Trinity or Ucd

TheNuttyBrowny

As we all know the change of mind is coming to an end and im stuck. I want to do general science but i cant decide which University I would like to do it in. I'd be more interested in the biology side....So if anyone has any knowledge on which course is better or if anyone has actually done the course in UCD or Trinity and has any advice it would be greatly appreciated !

Thanks

LittleMissLost

I won't be much help but I've heard that Trinity is better for the Arts and UCD is better for science?

IrishKnight

This old chestnut again. Ultimately it doesn't matter, you will learn the same things in more or less the same ways. Generally yes, TCD is better at the Arts and UCD better at the Sciences but you will be learning the same stuff no matter which uni you go to.

I've just finished my BSc in genetics in UCD and I have to say found it great. The way the course is split ie exams at christmas and summer, is a bit easier on you rather than having them all during the summer like in TCD. Other than that, not much difference from what I can see. Feel free to ask me specific questions about science in UCD though...

Iceuil

Can I just ask one question (sorry OP), i know that in trinity you choose subjects in first and second year and then specialise in third. I decided to choose bio, chemistry and maths in first year and whatever happens in second. I just want to know what about UCD. What is the structure of the course in first and second years? Are there any patterns similar to trinity?

Thanks.

TheNuttyBrowny

IrishKnight wrote: »

This old chestnut again. Ultimately it doesn't matter, you will learn the same things in more or less the same ways. Generally yes, TCD is better at the Arts and UCD better at the Sciences but you will be learning the same stuff no matter which uni you go to.

I've just finished my BSc in genetics in UCD and I have to say found it great. The way the course is split ie exams at christmas and summer, is a bit easier on you rather than having them all during the summer like in TCD. Other than that, not much difference from what I can see. Feel free to ask me specific questions about science in UCD though...

Thanks exactly the kinda answer i was looking for

Just one question! the prospectus is very vague when it comes to general science in UCD ! i dont do chemistry or physics in school but i love biology and maths! the thing is in TCD you have the option in first year to pick the subjects in first year i.e biology and chemistry. But since im more focused on the Biology side so I wouldnt want to do physics! In UCD do i get this choice in first year like Trinity??

I'm really thorn between the two at the moment there is nothing seperating them! people are telling me to go to UCD others Trinity! i'm using excuses at the moment like "Well UCD has better sports facilities" which is stupid reason because it should be the course that im worried about but i seriously cant choose!

IrishKnight

Iceuil wrote: »

...i know that in trinity you choose subjects in first and second year and then specialise in third. I decided to choose bio, chemistry and maths in first year and whatever happens in second. I just want to know what about UCD. What is the structure of the course in first and second years? Are there any patterns similar to trinity?

Again it will be the same in every general science degree. In UCD in first you pick at least "two subject streams". This basically means picking physics, genetics, cell biology, chemistry along with a whole host of others. Generally, there is a lot of over lap, so much so when I was in first year I did Physics, Chemistry and Biology. In second year you specialise even more, so I dropped physics and kept on chemistry and genetics, as I knew I wanted to do genetic from secondary school.

In third year you select one subject which you will study in great detail in third and fourth year, building on the knowledge formed in first and second year.

TheNuttyBrowny wrote: »

Just one question! the prospectus is very vague when it comes to general science in UCD ! i dont do chemistry or physics in school but i love biology and maths! the thing is in TCD you have the option in first year to pick the subjects in first year i.e biology and chemistry. But since im more focused on the Biology side so I wouldnt want to do physics! In UCD do i get this choice in first year like Trinity??

As above. With maths there might be some issues regarding getting a specific grade in higher level maths or some such, but generally you can avoid those things you don't like. I should point out the course has undergone major remodeling, so the info on the ucd site might be vague for that reason!

TheNuttyBrowny wrote: »

I'm really thorn between the two at the moment there is nothing seperating them! people are telling me to go to UCD others Trinity! i'm using excuses at the moment like "Well UCD has better sports facilities" which is stupid reason because it should be the course that im worried about but i seriously cant choose!

It is a common mistake to look *just* at the course. You should look at the university as a whole, you will be spending four years there after all! So commonly sporty people will often chose UCD over TCD due to said facilities as it allows them to get a degree while still doing the sport they love. Look at the clubs and societies of both unis and support they offer students.

College life is *not* just about the course, but about the person as a whole!

Craguls

@Irishknight: Dare I ask what your UCD better for science viewpoint is based on? From what I can see neither side is perfect and both are complimented by the research partnership as it covers the short comings of both institutes.

IrishKnight

Craguls wrote: »

@Irishknight: Dare I ask what your UCD better for science viewpoint is based on? From what I can see neither side is perfect and both are complimented by the research partnership as it covers the short comings of both institutes.

I have just finished my BSc in UCD, which you know already, if you read my first post! So to answer your question personal experience. Of course, I can only talk about UCD from a personal point of view, and TCD from a what I heard about it from my friends. But generally, it is said, that TCD is better for the Arts, while UCD is better for Law and Sciences. By people on both sides...

Of course, no course is perfect, it do have it down sides, but on the whole of it, I found UCD to be get. There might have been a small problem here or there but other than that, overall I found it just fine.

As for the research partnership, that won't affect undergrads must, if at all. But it would be foolish to say that UCD and TCD are the only ones having problems with funding! But again, that would be mostly postgrad rather than undergrad stuff.

OP, only someone who's done both courses will be able to tell you which is better, and even then, no one can tell you which would suit you better, as everyone's different and thrives in different environments. So I'm only going to tell you what I think of TCD (half way through a general science degree).

IMO Trinity is great. I can't tell you anything about UCD (except that a friend who just finished a chem degree has told me they have a great chemistry dept.). But I can tell you that I'm so glad I chose TCD. Transport to TCD is so easy, since the majority of southside buses stop right beside it (Nassau St.) and it almost has it's own dart station (Pearse). It's location really is extremely convenient, being right in the middle of town. Societies and clubs are all really good and you're bound to find ones that interest you. The campus is beautiful, and really peaceful for somewhere in the city centre.

I don't know what bio at UCD is like, but I know that Trinity have very well respected microbiology, genetics and neuroscience departments. Also the name of Trinity would (AFAIK) be generally better known internationally.

The only problem I would have with Trinity is communication. Sometimes it's clear that the departments don't really communicate efficiently between each other, or even between course co-ordinators and lecturers. There's a nice friendly office though in the main science building where you can pop in and get questions sorted out, but you have to be a bit pro-active when it comes to finding out stuff.

green_dub_girl

I completed my undergrad in Environmental Science a year ago, and like you was interested in the biology side of things most of all.

The UCD course covers many of the same topics however the standard of students abilities (sorry UCD guys) is apparently much lower. My cousin was a doing a PhD in Zoology in TCD but then got transferred to UCD with her supervisor, she said the drop in standard with the undergrads she was teaching was shocking.

I would go with TCD, plus the city centre location is very handy.

IrishKnight

green_dub_girl wrote: »

...the standard of students abilities (sorry UCD guys) is apparently much lower...

Must. Not. Rise. To. Challenge. :P

I think that is more to do with the student than anything else. But take from that what you will OP.

green_dub_girl

IrishKnight wrote: »

Must. Not. Rise. To. Challenge. :P.

Haha!! I was hoping that would be a red flag to a bull!

IrishKnight

green_dub_girl wrote: »

Haha!! I was hoping that would be a red flag to a bull!

After four years in UCD, I don't a hoot about this UCD vs TCD thing between the students. The only possible way to settle it would be in a massive double blind test!

randylonghorn

Please take your red flags and custard pies elsewhere, thanks!

spotsanddots

I will be a 4th yr science student in trinity come sept (can't believe it). Trinity has a very high standard of teaching taught by outstanding lectures at the top of their respective fields..I do agree with others saying that there is definitely a lack of communication issue which can be particularly frustrating..Also its worth noting that trinity only has annual exams..no Christmas exams meaning a lot of revision come the end of the year.
Since its biology your interested in there are many different moderatorship to choose from in 3rd year but they are competitive to get into, im studying physiology which i love:)
Also this year sees the opening of the brand spanking new Biosciences building which i can't wait to see:)

thunderdog

I've been in Trinity 7 years now doing Science (no didn't fail..doing phd!). Before I started college all those years ago I only really had Trinity in my mind as I had in my head that it was the best college and that its location was really handy for various things. True its great being in the city but some aspects of Science in Trinty aren't great.

1. Like any other Science course I suppose but class sizes are very big for 1st and 2nd year. Feels quite impersonal but I suppose you'll get that on other science courses in other colleges

2. Unlike other colleges you will not get any work experience in Science at trinity (unless you find something yourself during the Summer). I know some other colleges offer work experience as part of their course and I really think this stands to you.

3. Leading on from my second point-the further I got into my course in trinity I found that the lecturers teach from a very academic point of view......and I use teach very loosely! A lot of the lecturers spit tonnes of info at you as opposed to actually teaching you. I myslef would have preferred a course geared towards leading to a job (ha depsite me doing a phd!!).

4. Im not going to lie but I think in comparison to other colleges (bar UCD) Trinity (Science) mark quite hard....nobody in my class got a 1st in their finals. I have a lot of friends from Maynooth college who did science and lots of them finished with 1sts without seeminlgy having to put a huge amount of effort in (they spent most nites drinking from what I could see!)

5. My gf who also did Science in trinity did a a postgrad in UCD and she found that she got "taught" much better there than in Trinity.....however this could have been due to the course that she did.

All in all Trinity is still a great place to do Science (despite my negative comments!) but you might feel at times that studying here is a bit over-rated. Most of my class from are either unemployed now or doing something unrelated to science. Most likely just a sign of the times/

Lastly be careful what you pick in your 3rd and 4th year...what you think might be very interesting might have very little job opportunities at the end of it!

hope this helps you

gene.genie

IrishKnight wrote: »

This old chestnut again. Ultimately it doesn't matter, you will learn the same things in more or less the same ways. Generally yes, TCD is better at the Arts and UCD better at the Sciences but you will be learning the same stuff no matter which uni you go to.

I've just finished my BSc in genetics in UCD and I have to say found it great. The way the course is split ie exams at christmas and summer, is a bit easier on you rather than having them all during the summer like in TCD. Other than that, not much difference from what I can see. Feel free to ask me specific questions about science in UCD though...

Hi I'm thinking of studying genetics next year. Just wondering how you found it in UCD. Was there much competition to get into the genetics strain of science from the basic degree? What are most people in your class up to now? Any advice or help would be great. Thanks in advance.

bradyle

I don't really know anything bout either courses but I know my sister chose Trinity's Science because it included Geography and I don't think UCD's does. So if you were interested in Geo OP Trinity might be better