What college course would suit my needs?

LFC CONNAUGHTON

First time poster

I am going into 5th year and thinking of what college course I should do. I'm very interested in Biology, specifically Zoology, so a course specialising would be great or I could study it later on, and Law. Do either of these degrees, and if not, which degrees would offer me a chance to work in the same subject but be able to move between cities without having to give up my career? Also, what is the current employment like for the career(s)? Thank you.

CaoimheCweeva

LFC CONNAUGHTON wrote: »

First time poster

I am going into 5th year and thinking of what college course I should do. I'm very interested in Biology, specifically Zoology, so a course specialising would be great or I could study it later on, and Law. Do either of these degrees, and if not, which degrees would offer me a chance to work in the same subject but be able to move between cities without having to give up my career? Also, what is the current employment like for the career(s)? Thank you.

You're only going into 5th year...seriously, don't think about it too much just yet. I only decided what I wanted to do the start of 6th year. I did Environmental Science in UCC because I wanted to go on to Zoology due to my love for animals, and Biology was my favourite and best subject in school. I ended up dropping out after first year because it was so so hard, they just don't prepare you for what you have to learn. I was doing applied maths, and I only did pass for the LC..and there was of course physics and chemistry, neither of which I did. So if Zoology IS something you'd have an interest for, I'd recommend doing it straight off in NUIG or Trinity, but I'm pretty sure the points are really high.

Regarding your question on your career..no clue. Zoology is a four year long course, and you've still got two years of secondary school left. Career prospects will have changed significantly by then.

thegreatgonzo

There is a zoology forum on boards OP maybe you will get some advice there.

bscm

Zoology in Trinity is part of the General Science programme. You start off in general entry, pick modules to fill your credits and then specialise at the end of second year (places are allocated for the different streams after exam results are published). You will end up studying two of Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Geology or Maths for a year or two, as Biology in 1st Year only makes up 1/3 of the credits and in 2nd Year it makes up a little more than that.

If you do Zoology, there are loads of opportunities to work abroad, or volunteer during the summer months (two of my friends went to Mexico this summer to volunteer with a spider monkey conservation centre), but you will be expected to raise the money yourself until you have proved yourself enough in your field to receive funding.

Moving between cities may be harder. Most research is done, literally, in the field. If you stick with research/academia, you will probably have the opportunity to be based in a university, so you may end up in a city abroad or else a small town (all depends on where the university is situated). Unless you're a sought after expert, it would be difficult to move from city to city whenever you feel like a change.

Law, it would be a similar situation. Unless you're part of a excellent firm, with international clients, you'll more than likely be based in the same area unless you actively look for a job in a different location.

LFC CONNAUGHTON

bscm wrote: »

Zoology in Trinity is part of the General Science programme. You start off in general entry, pick modules to fill your credits and then specialise at the end of second year (places are allocated for the different streams after exam results are published). You will end up studying two of Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Geology or Maths for a year or two, as Biology in 1st Year only makes up 1/3 of the credits and in 2nd Year it makes up a little more than that.

If you do Zoology, there are loads of opportunities to work abroad, or volunteer during the summer months (two of my friends went to Mexico this summer to volunteer with a spider monkey conservation centre), but you will be expected to raise the money yourself until you have proved yourself enough in your field to receive funding.

Moving between cities may be harder. Most research is done, literally, in the field. If you stick with research/academia, you will probably have the opportunity to be based in a university, so you may end up in a city abroad or else a small town (all depends on where the university is situated). Unless you're a sought after expert, it would be difficult to move from city to city whenever you feel like a change.

Law, it would be a similar situation. Unless you're part of a excellent firm, with international clients, you'll more than likely be based in the same area unless you actively look for a job in a different location.

Thanks for the response. I'm thinking of going into zoology as working in the field really interests me also. I may just travel around for a year or 2 after college doing odd jobs before I settle into my career.