Frequently Asked Questions about UCD Science for Entry 2013
(Last Updated: 20 November 2012)
- Who can I contact if I have any questions?
Teachers, Guidance Counsellors, Parents and Students can contact Dr Orla Donoghue at orla.donoghue@ucd.ie or at 01 7162311 with any questions regarding the UCD Science CAO options. You can find a list of all the degrees on offer in the UCD Science 2013 brochure (pdf)
- I am interested in general science. Will DN200 lead to a general science degree covering a range of subjects?
- No. The DN200 programme is a Level 8 BSc Honours programme of four years. Students enter by a single entry route and graduate after four years, assuming they meet the required academic standards, with a BSc (Honours) in one particular subject. Joint honours programmes are available in some subjects.
- Students who do not meet the required academic standard after three years can graduate with a Level 8 BSc (General Science) degree. Students will have a specialism in a specific subject area or areas.
- Does common entry mean all students take a common first year?
No. The common entry does not mean that all students take a common first year. Each stream has a set number of compulsory modules you must take in first year in order to pursue a subject or group of subjects in second year and to degree level. The number of compulsory modules has been kept low to allow you the option to try out other subjects that you may not be familiar with or to deepen your interest in the areas that you wish to pursue to degree level.
- What are the choices of subjects available in first year?
First Year is also referred to as Stage 1. For detailed information on the modules available and the subject choices within DN200 Science in first year, download DN200 Science First Year brochure (pdf). Please note that these descriptions are subject to change and represent the subjects on offer to students for entry 2012.
- What happens in second year with regards to subject choices?
The Associate Dean of Science Professor Peter Duffy will explain to all first years how they select their subject choices in second year. You can only pursue a subject in second year if you have taken the modules required for that subject in first year. To read more about the information given to our current first years, download Slides presented at Pre Second Year Advsiory Sessions in February 2012 (pdf). Please note these slides refer to choices for students going into second year in September 2012.
- If I select one subject stream, for example, DN200 Science - Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences but I want to also study Chemistry, can I do that? I can’t make my mind up between Neuroscience and Chemistry.
Yes. If you select DN200 Science – Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences on your CAO form, you can also select subjects outside this group. When you register in September at UCD, you can also select Chemistry from the subject list.
There is some overlap between the core Chemistry and Maths modules required for both the Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences stream and the Chemistry and Chemical Sciences stream.
You just need to ensure that you cover the core modules required for the Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences stream and for the subject of Chemistry.
- If I choose the DN200 Science No Preference option and decide to sample different subjects in the first semester, will I be guaranteed my subject stream of choice in the second semester?
Yes. You are at no disadvantage choosing DN200 Science - No Preference and you are guaranteed your chosen subject stream from one of the following for your second semester:- a. Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences
- b. Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
- c. Mathematical, Physical and Geological Sciences
There are no capacity issues in first year for core modules associated with all subject streams.
- Are students assigned academic mentors?
Most first year Science students will take the module SCI10010 Principles of Scientific Enquiry. Students are assigned to an academic mentor as part of this module.
Working in small groups, students in conjunction with their academic mentor will identify a scientific problem, research the literature and produce a review. The work will develop students independent study skills. Using a project-based approach; students will learn communication and presentation skills, methods of sourcing scientific information, scientific writing and analysis.
Formal direction on teamwork, communication, presenting, sourcing and appraising information, scientific reading and writing, and critical thinking will be central to this module.
- Will there be different CAO points for each DN200 option?
No. DN200 Science is a common entry programme. The minimum CAO points will be the same whether you choose the Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, Chemistry and Chemical Sciences, Mathematical, Physical and Geological Sciences or No Preference. The minimum CAO for entry 2012 were 500.
- Are any of the subjects within DN200 available as denominated programmes?
No. None of the subjects offered through DN200 are available in a denominated programme for entry 2012. The denominated programmes within Science at UCD are DN201 Computer Science, DN230 Actuarial and Financial Studies and DN210 Archaeology and Geology.
- Can I change my DN200 option when I arrive in UCD?
- Yes. You can select another option within DN200 on arrival at UCD.
- We guarantee all students they can choose one of the following areas of study, regardless of the area selected on the CAO:
- Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences
- Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
- Mathematical, Physical and Geological Sciences
- I am interested in both Biology and Geology. Can I study both in first year? What do I choose on my CAO form as I am prompted to choose one area?
- Regardless of what area you select on your CAO form, you will be able to study subjects from other areas by selecting the relevant modules at registration. So you could choose DN200 - No Preference but you could also choose DN200 – Biological, Biomedical, Biomolecular Sciences and then select your Geology modules.
- You can study the subjects required to pursue a degree in both a biological subject and geology in first year. This will give you the opportunity to sample both before deciding which subject area you would like to pursue to degree level. Depending on your first year module choices, you should be able to study both a biological subject and geology in Semester 1 of second year but by the end of second year, you will be in your major subject.
- What are the choices on the CAO? Can I change my mind? How many times can I enter DN200 on my CAO form?
- When you select DN200, you are prompted to click the Select DN200 Subject Choice button. When you click this button, you can make one of the following selections from the drop-down list:
- DN200 – No Preference (Explore your options)
- DN200 – Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences
- DN200 – Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
- DN200 – Mathematical, Physical and Geological Sciences
- You can change your mind when you arrive at UCD. So, if you select DN200 – Chemistry and Chemical Sciences you can decide at registration to choose any of the following:
- DN200 – No Preference (Explore your options)
- DN200 –Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences
- DN200 – Mathematical, Physical and Geological Sciences
- If you are unsure of which area to specialise in, the DN200 – No Preference option allows you to sample a range of subjects in the first semester and explore your options before deciding on an area of study.
- DN200 is one programme which means you can only put it down on your CAO form once.
- When you select DN200, you are prompted to click the Select DN200 Subject Choice button. When you click this button, you can make one of the following selections from the drop-down list:
- Can I choose anything for my electives? I am interested in Spanish, Business and History. If I study the same electives over the three years, does this mean I will graduate with a minor in that subject?
Students in Science DN200 study two elective modules each year for the first three years. You may take elective modules outside of your main field of study. All degree programmes in UCD offer places in modules for students from other areas of study. Sometimes these are specifically designed modules. More commonly, places in subject-specific modules are reserved for students interested in taking these modules as electives.
We cannot guarantee places in any elective module. This can be due to a timetable clash or the fact that the module is full.
We offer a lot of choice within Science and as such each student’s timetable is different so their main area of study will always take precedence over any elective choices.
Over the course of your degree you can take 6 elective modules but they do not add up to a minor in the subject. A BSc student graduates with a major in a specific area of science and it is not an option to graduate with a minor in another area of study.
All modules taken while in the university, including elective modules, will appear on your university transcript.
- Where can I find the entry requirements for the UCD Science degrees for entry 2013?
The Entry Requirements page on the MyUCD web page details the specific subject requirements for each undergraduate degree at UCD.
- I really don’t know which area of Science I am interested in? What happens if I just specify DN200 No Preference?
The DN200 - No Preference option allows you to explore a number of different area before deciding on a specific area of study for your degree. In your first semester, you can try out a range of subjects before deciding on the broad area you would like to pursue in second year. For example, you could try Physics, Biology, Maths and Chemistry and then decide to study within the biological disciplines. We also run a number of advisory sessions to help you choose the area that’s best for you.
- Can I change my mind about my area of study in DN200?
- Yes. If you are unsure which area you want to study, you can select DN200 - No Preference and decide on an area once you arrive in UCD.
- If you select one area on your CAO (for example, DN200 Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences or DN200 Chemistry and Chemical Sciences or DN200 Mathematical, Physical and Geological Sciences) and then change your mind, you will be able to change your area of study once you arrive in UCD.
- Am I guaranteed a particular subject? Say I want to do Neuroscience and I choose DN200 Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Science. Will I be guaranteed a Neuroscience degree?
- We guarantee that in first year you can study the modules you need to pursue Neuroscience in second year.
- You are guaranteed the subjects you want to study in Second Year, assuming you have fulfilled the requirements for that subject in First Year. So,, you are guaranteed that you can study Neuroscience in Second Year. Students must select a minimum of three subjects in Second Year if they want to stay within the Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Science stream.
- Allocation of some subjects to degree level, such as Neuroscience, for Third Year is competitive and is based on academic performance.
- When do I choose a degree subject?
This will vary depending on your chosen subject or subject stream. You will need to specify at least one subject stream at the end of first year and will have to make you final choice of major within your second year.
- I’m not studying Chemistry for the Leaving Certificate but Chemistry is a core subject for all the Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular subjects for DN200. Will I be able for it?
We run an introductory module in Chemistry for all students who have not achieved a minimum of a C3 in Leaving Certificate Honours Chemistry.
- I am doing Ordinary Level Maths for the Leaving Certificate. Will the Maths be difficult for DN200?
We recognise that many of our students have taken Ordinary Level Mathematics. For DN200, you require a minimum of a B3 in Ordinary Level Mathematics.
We run an introductory module in Mathematics for all students who do not achieve at least at A2 in Ordinary Level Mathematics or a C3 in Honours level Mathematics.
In addition we provide a free Mathematics Support Centre, which is run by experienced tutors to help students who are having any difficulties with Mathematics. subjects.
