The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

I have an offer for MSci Natural Science joint honours in chemistry and maths, and i couldnt go to the open day so have a few questions:
1. Is it possible to chance to the non-joint honours masters degree, or even to transfer to a single honours chemistry degree?
2. Are there any opportunities to study abroad or work for a year in industry within the natural sciences degree?

Hi,
I'm absolutely set on going to Durham and love the look of butler, but i was wondering about the social life there, i dont want to be a person who just sits in all the time! Obvs im going to work as well, but i just wanted to make sure its not going to be full of boring times?! Also, does anyone know the best signal for being up there, im switching contracts and want to get something that actually gives me signal in Durham and in my halls!

Were you catered or self-catered?

Thanks for the help!

Does anyone know if there's any kind of scholarships I can apply for to do Physics placements abroad this summer? I'm graduating in June. Or if I got a placement actually IN Durham at the uni, is there funding for this kind of thing?

Hi,

I am currently at sixth form and looking into universities for next year.
I hope to study BSc Geography and was wondering what sort of GCSE/AS grades students on this course, or similar, achieved?

Many thanks!

I got 6.5 A*s, 3 As and 1 B at GCSE. Then A*A*A at A level.

You'll probably do better if your A levels are good strong subjects, particularly some science if you want to do the BSc.

My offer was AAA but I think they might have changed that now. Durham don't interview so they like a really strong personal statement and reference so it's worth putting a lot of effort into that.

I've already firmed Durham and I'll definitely be going but I still want to know what it's like to actually be there!


What is the best and worst thing about Biology? (from anyone on any of the biology degree routes).
How many hours contact time do you get for lectures, tutorials and labs per week?
how many people are generally in each?
which is the most enjoyable?
how much are you expected to spend on books and equipment? (especially right at the beginning)
where's the best place to get books/lab coat/dissection kit?
which books are mandatory/very advisable?
I've heard it might be a good idea to borrow books from the library for a few weeks before you decide which to buy - is this advisable?
Do any graduates sell their second hand books?
Do we need the most recent edition?


That's quite a lot of questions! I hope someone can help me out with some of them!

-From next year all routes other than Biomed will be combined into one so after the first year you'll get to choose which modules you do which I think is good. Most lecturers I know are relatively good and willing to help. Bad things; the exams, though I don't like essays and the MCQs in first year are tough, and the department being up "cardiac hill" .

-In the first 2 years you'll get around 12 lectures a week and in theory 4 tutorials a term and on average 1 or 2 3-hour labs a week. 3rd year's a bit different...you'll have 3 taught modules which have 3 lectures a week for the first term and first 3 weeks of 2nd term then you'll probably have a lab project for the rest of that term (another module in itself). Then you'll have a field course module or another lab based thing (if you're a cell/molecular biologist) and a lit review in the first term.

-First year lectures are capped at 240 and generally aren't far off that. After 1st year some modules will still be around 200 but some are closer to 50. Tutorials have around 6 or 7 people in. Labs have up to 80 in each group.

-Most enjoyable depends on your interests really!

-I only have the 2 core textbooks; "Life: The Science of Biology" and "Molecular Cell Biology". There are other recommended textbooks which I didn't bother with. You can order these online or get them as a bundle in Waterstones (but online is cheaper). Some graduates do sell their books so if you want you can look at them in the library before you buy them. Most recent edition might not be necessary but don't go more than 1 or 2 editions behind, stuff does change slightly.

-You can get lab coat and dissection kit from the department in freshers week. I never got a dissection kit (as I mainly do molecular modules) and in my year I think they charged £10 for lab coats. Personally I already had a lab coat as I had a relatively new one for school but most people just bought one from the department.

-First year lectures are capped at 240 and generally aren't far off that. After 1st year some modules will still be around 200 but some are closer to 50. Tutorials have around 6 or 7 people in. Labs have up to 80 in each group.

Hello, do you happen to know the class size for social science lectures and tutorials (specifically for economics)? Are they usually smaller or larger than those at the science department?

Also, how many libraries are there in Durham? (sorry I searched for this some time ago but forgot)

Hello, do you happen to know the class size for social science lectures and tutorials (specifically for economics)? Are they usually smaller or larger than those at the science department?

Also, how many libraries are there in Durham? (sorry I searched for this some time ago but forgot)

your reply was really helpful, thanks!
the size of lectures i think will be hardest for me, 240 people... that's more than all the people in my school!
is the molecular biology book this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Molecular-Cell-Biology-Harvey-Lodish/dp/1429203145/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335602467&sr=8-1
or this one:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Molecular-Cell-Biology-Harvey-Lodish/dp/1429203145/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335602467&sr=8-1

i actually have the second one from a cousin who did biology.

more questions: are you expected to do loads of reading/own notes in science subjects? are you generally kept busy with work to do?

also how much did you generally spend per week/month in your first year? i've heard about £30-£50 is normal, more if you like to go out lots. i can't really handle much alcohol so that'll be cheap but what kind of unexpected costs are there? like how much do you spend on laundry/snacks/toiletries?

more questions: are you expected to do loads of reading/own notes in science subjects? are you generally kept busy with work to do?

also how much did you generally spend per week/month in your first year? i've heard about £30-£50 is normal, more if you like to go out lots. i can't really handle much alcohol so that'll be cheap but what kind of unexpected costs are there? like how much do you spend on laundry/snacks/toiletries?