1. First Science Advisory Meeting Welcome

2. Faculty of Science n Dean: Professor Michael J. Kennedy n Associate Dean for First Science Students: Dr Joe Carthy n Associate Dean for Undergraduate Students: Mr Hubert Fuller n Faculty of Science Office Staff: Gillian Goodbody, Sue Philpott & Kieran Moloney n Student Advisors: Aoife FitzGerald, Rev Tony Coote & Owen Fallon (Computer Science)

3. Largest Faculty of Science in Ireland n Approximately 1,570 undergraduate students n 610 postgraduate students n 170 academic staff n 22 administrative staff n 86 technical staff n 13 Departments teach the students of the Faculty of Science

4. List of Departments n Biochemistry n Botany n Chemistry n Computer Science n Experimental Physics n Geology n Industrial Microbiology n Mathematics n Mathematical Physics n Pharmacology n Physiology n Statistics & Acturarial Science n Zoology

5. List of First Science Subjects n Biology n Chemistry n Computer Science n Experimental Physics/Biophysics n Geology n Mathematics n Mathematical Physics Students take Mathematics and three other subjects (see page 26 in the Faculty Booklet )

6. Denominated Entries n DN030 (Computer Science) students take Computer Science 1001 and 1002, Pass Mathematics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Experimental Physics/Biophysics or Mathematical Physics n DN031 (Theoretical Physics) students take Honours Mathematics and Mathematical Physics, Experimental Physics and either Chemistry, Computer Science 1001 or Geology n DN032 (Mathematical Science) students take Honours Mathematics, Mathematical Physics, Computer Science 1001 and either Experimental Physics or Geology Note: Students taking DN031 and DN032 may not select Biophysics

7. Advice n Consult the Departmental Representatives and your Mentor on your choice of subjects n Faculty of Science Office will provide you with advice and guidance on all matters, academic or otherwise - Gillian Goodbody,Sue Philpott & Kieran Moloney n Joe Carthy, Associate Dean for First Science Students, is there to help you with particular problems - academic or otherwise (Room A1.16, Computer Science Department) n Meet and get to know Aoife FitzGerald, Tony Coote and Owen Fallon n Attend all lectures and practical classes/tutorials. Statistics show that poor attendance commonly leads to failure at the end of the year. Staff are here to help you. If you don’t understand ask!

8. Honours or Pass Mathematics? n Mathematics may be studied at either Honours or Pass level in First Science n Students who have attained grade B2 or better in Leaving Certificate Higher Mathematics may prefer to study Honours Mathematics in First Year n The Honours Course is essential for those enrolled in Mathematical Science and Theoretical Physics, and should also be taken by those considering the possibility of pursuing an honours degree involving mathematics n Although the Honours Course is not required for those pursuing an honours degree in other disciplines, it offers the following advantages: (a) greater options in later years for development of specialized mathematical skills; (b) a more interesting and challenging course n Students who wish to sample the Honours Course for a while may revert at any time to the Pass Course without difficulty - most of the Pass Course is covered in the Honours Course

9. Maths Support n A Mathematics Support Centre is available to all Science Students n website: http://maths.ucd.ie/mathsupportcentre/ n e-mail: support@maths.ucd.ie n Location: Arts Block D209 n Opening hours: From Monday 27th September:  Monday to Thursday 1-5pm. SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE BUT YOU MUST AVAIL OF IT

10. LIBRARY – New Students Desk n There is a Library stand set up outside for you to visit n There is also a New Students Desk in the Main Library located on: u Level 1, right of the Library entrance u Monday, 13 September 2004 to Friday, 24 September 2004 u Opening hours: F 10.00am to 4.00pm and 5.00pm to 7.00pm (Monday to Friday)

11. Careers & Appointments Office n Careers Advisory service n Located beside Campus Bookshop n Mark Cumisky n First Year Careers Seminar u 5-6 October

12. What you must do to pass! n In general: u Pass mark: 40% u Compensation allowed in one subject only and if mark is between 35 and 40% and other subjects have excess marks to equal or exceed this deficiency, you pass by compensation u Marks in subjects that are passed are exempt from further examination in those subjects u Repeat examinations are held in autumn

13. What you must do to pass! n Students must pass First Science within two years of entering UCD Notes: There are special requirements for students in Computer Science, Mathematical Science and Theoretical Physics to continue in these programmes in Second Science Students who are particularly weak in an area of the subject, i.e. practicals, may not be passed in that subject and will have to re- attend in the following year.

14. Second Science n Some subjects start in Second Science and you need the following subjects in First Science: u BiochemistryBiology and Chemistry and Maths u BotanyBiology and Chemistry and Maths u Industrial MicrobiologyBiology and Chemistry and Maths u PharmacologyBiology and Chemistry and Maths u PhysiologyBiology and Chemistry and Maths u ZoologyBiology and Chemistry and Maths u For Statistics you just need Mathematics in First Science n Subjects which continue from First to Second Science require the First Science course

15. What to do Now! n Collect subject choice forms and talk to Departmental Representatives on the concourse n Attend as many of the sample lectures in all subjects as you can in the first week of term. n Mathematics is a mandatory subject in First Science and all students must therefore attend Mathematics from the first lecture

16. What to do Now! n Take note of your Mentor’s name (see notice boards) and when and where you are scheduled to meet with them before the end of next week n It is VITAL that you make arrangements to meet your mentor n This will be your first mentor meeting “Getting Started” n Discuss your choice with your mentor and get him/her to sign your subject choice form n Register your course choice online using UCD Connect

17. Subject Choice/Course Registration n Decide on your subject choice with your mentor n Your mentor must sign your Subject Choice Form n Register your course choice online using UCD CONNECT n Follow the instructions for using UCD Connect that you were given this morning. The instructions are on the back of your Subject Choice Form n Online course registration must be completed by Friday 24 th September Note: To use UCD Connect you must have your UCD Connect Log-in ID n Afterwards, return your completed form to the Faculty of Science Office

18. Students with Mentors in Conway Building n For those who will be attending their mentoring meetings in the Conway Building, it is very important to turn up on time, as you will be calling to the main reception area and your mentor will have to come down to meet you.

19. Theoretical Physics Students n Please remain here at the end of the Advisory Meeting and members of the teaching staff will speak to you briefly n Please go to Mathematical Sciences Teaching Room immediately after this meeting to meet with your Course Director: n Exit by Top Door of this Theatre and Proceed to Room at opposite end of concourse Mathematical Science Students