The &quot;Ask a Durham Student&quot; Thread :)

Original post by Troush

Hello,
I'm an exchange student and i'll be going to Durham next year. I'm currently choosing my courses (i'm a business student).
It says in the guides that i can choose courses either at Durham either at stockton (the queen campus i think), but that i can't mix both. I am more interesed by Queen Campus' courses, but some friend that have been studying in Durham tell me that i should choose Durham's courses because it won't be as cool for me in stockton thant in Durham. I'm really conflicted right now...
Is it expensive to go from durham to Stockton everyday?
What do you think about queen campus?

Thank you!

A lot of the Business courses at Durham are based at Queen's campus in Stockton. If you choose one of these courses, you'll be based in Stockton, not Durham. It's not that far away, but you will spend almost all your time in Stockton. There are some exceptions, like Business and Computer Science for example, which is based in Durham.

Stockton probably won't be as 'cool', but if that's where the course you want to do is, that's where you'll be! IMO it'd be pretty silly to choose a course which you don't like the look of as much just to be based in Durham.

Reply 5662

Troush

Original post by NJam

Stockton probably won't be as 'cool', but if that's where the course you want to do is, that's where you'll be! IMO it'd be pretty silly to choose a course which you don't like the look of as much just to be based in Durham.

Yes that's what i think too. I want to enjoy the courses i take and i think that it's more important than everyting else. Nonetheless, i also want to enjoy my year abroad and some poeple told me to choose Durham instead of Stockton, and I read on the Internet some pretty negative comments about Stockton, so i was just a bit worried (since i've never been to england before).
Do you know if traveling between Durham and Stockton is expensive?

Anayway, thank you for your answer

Reply 5663

Magickal

4

Original post by Troush

Yes that's what i think too. I want to enjoy the courses i take and i think that it's more important than everyting else. Nonetheless, i also want to enjoy my year abroad and some poeple told me to choose Durham instead of Stockton, and I read on the Internet some pretty negative comments about Stockton, so i was just a bit worried (since i've never been to england before).
Do you know if traveling between Durham and Stockton is expensive?

Anayway, thank you for your answer

Travelling between Durham and Stockton is free on the Arriva X1 bus you show your University Campus card :smile:

Reply 5664

Fango_Jett

17

Original post by pianofluteftw

x

Original post by Magickal

x

Thanks guys for your responses.

I'm not too bothered by the lack of modules, as I was planning to do similar modules anyway.

Is there any effect on the level of degree of either the physics or chemistry? I am not too familiar with the UK system, but I think it is similar to something that is called "double majoring" in the US.

I plan to maybe do a PhD in Chemistry, as I really enjoy research. Will there be any disadvantage to doing NatSci over just pure Chemistry? I'm not really sure how it works over here.

Thanks!

Reply 5665

Original post by Fango_Jett

Thanks guys for your responses.

I'm not too bothered by the lack of modules, as I was planning to do similar modules anyway.

Is there any effect on the level of degree of either the physics or chemistry? I am not too familiar with the UK system, but I think it is similar to something that is called "double majoring" in the US.

I plan to maybe do a PhD in Chemistry, as I really enjoy research. Will there be any disadvantage to doing NatSci over just pure Chemistry? I'm not really sure how it works over here.

Thanks!

The level of the degree is essentially unchanged - Durham is an excellent place to study both Chemistry and Physics and as such both courses are challenging. In every undergraduate year you must undertake 120 credits. Credits are assigned to modules - most 'single' modules are 20 credits, though there are some exceptions. If you were to do a Chemistry degree, the expectation would be that you do 120 credits within the chemistry department. On the other hand, in doing Natural Sciences, specifically Physics & Chemistry, you will have 60 credits from Physics, and 60 from Chemistry. The real beauty of the NatSci course though is that (especially in first year) it's possible to really mix this up, should you wish (and have the correct pre- and co-requisites).

In effect, the level of knowledge you will acquire will still be extremely high, though you will perhaps be a little less specialised as a Chemist. However, there are possibilities to switch from NatSci to single honours courses at the end of your first (and sometimes second) year.

I can't help about your PhD query, maybe your best bet to get an accurate response to that is to email someone at the Chemistry department at Durham.

Reply 5666

deforeX

Original post by loggins

I'm on hand to answer Economics, German and English Literature questions, as well as questions about the city (since I've lived here all my life :biggrin:

).

How diverse indeed

Reply 5667

Amandaa

I'm in need of helppp!

I plan on making Durham my insurance but I've been reading around that my college place is therefore not guaranteed; I've got an offer from St Chads (which is one of the most oversubscribed I've been told), so is it likely that I'll be moved to another college? And is there any hope that I still get a Bailey college?

Reply 5668

Original post by Amandaa

I'm in need of helppp!

I plan on making Durham my insurance but I've been reading around that my college place is therefore not guaranteed; I've got an offer from St Chads (which is one of the most oversubscribed I've been told), so is it likely that I'll be moved to another college? And is there any hope that I still get a Bailey college?

As far as I know - you will have an accommodation space guaranteed (somewhere). I believe they would try to place you in your preferred college, however if there were no spaces there at all, or too many of your subject in that college you would be allocated to a college with space for your subject. As a result you could be located anywhere, not necessarily Bailey or Hill. In effect you'd be placed in a similar way to someone who was going through clearing - every year there are spaces made by people who don't meet their offers or don't take their place.

However I would say - what benefits do you see particularly from living on the Bailey? Both the Hill and the Bailey have their pros and cons, however especially as you are using Durham as your insurance place why do you have a particular focus on which college? They're really not all that different when it comes down to it...

Reply 5669

I have a couple of questions. I may be doing NatSci/Maths and Physics btw.

The first is about tutorials and teaching in general.
How big are tutorials; are they relatively personal? Are there any other types of teaching other than lectures too?

Secondly, in the second year is your college much less relevant? If so in what ways ?

Thanks :smile:

Reply 5670

Original post by RATKING

I have a couple of questions. I may be doing NatSci/Maths and Physics btw.

The first is about tutorials and teaching in general.
How big are tutorials; are they relatively personal? Are there any other types of teaching other than lectures too?

Secondly, in the second year is your college much less relevant? If so in what ways ?

Thanks :smile:

First year doing exactly that course here :smile:

Tutorials are usually around 10 people, sometimes more sometimes less. 15 Maximum though. In my experience, they're as personal as you make them. There is certainly a far greater opportunity to ask specific questions that might not have been answered by your lecturer. Plus, all of my tutors have said they are more than happy to offer assistance outside of tutorials, and most have 'office hours', along with the lecturers, where you can go and get more help should you need it. Typically, tutorials consist of having a set of problems which we work through on the white/black board. In some cases individually with classmates providing assistance, and in others as a group. For me, they are by far the most useful learning resource.

In first year, you'll also have problem classes in maths, which are essentially lectures where the lecturer will go some example problems. Once again very useful to get an early idea of the types of problems you will be expected to answer.

Reply 5671

Original post by NJam

First year doing exactly that course here :smile:

Tutorials are usually around 10 people, sometimes more sometimes less. 15 Maximum though. In my experience, they're as personal as you make them. There is certainly a far greater opportunity to ask specific questions that might not have been answered by your lecturer. Plus, all of my tutors have said they are more than happy to offer assistance outside of tutorials, and most have 'office hours', along with the lecturers, where you can go and get more help should you need it. Typically, tutorials consist of having a set of problems which we work through on the white/black board. In some cases individually with classmates providing assistance, and in others as a group. For me, they are by far the most useful learning resource.

In first year, you'll also have problem classes in maths, which are essentially lectures where the lecturer will go some example problems. Once again very useful to get an early idea of the types of problems you will be expected to answer.

Thanks!

Do you know how plausible it is to apply for a year abroad (in an english speaking university) for 3rd year for the course?

Also, how many contact hours do you have a week ( a brief outline of your week would be great!)

Thanks again

Posted from TSR Mobile

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 5672

Original post by RATKING

Thanks!

Do you know how plausible it is to apply for a year abroad (in an english speaking university) for 3rd year for the course?

Also, how many contact hours do you have a week ( a brief outline of your week would be great!)

Thanks again

Posted from TSR Mobile

I've heard that doing a year abroad as part of Natural Sciences is quite difficult, which is understandable as it is quite a unique course structure. If I were you, I'd email Dr. James Blowey ([email protected]) to ask him about doing this.

In a typical week I have around 20 contact hours. In maths, I take 3 modules. One of these has just 2 lectures a week, the other two have 3. On top of that, there is either a tutorial or problem class each week for each module (in Michaelmas, every week was a tutorial, in Epiphany it alternates between problem classes and tutorials). Furthermore, (though I've never actually been to these), there are two catch up lectures which go through some things which you may not have covered at A-Level, or may not be able to remember if you took a year out or w/e. In physics, I take 2 modules (one of which is a double module). One is the laboratory based module - for this there were 3 lectures at the start of the year which covered errors (i.e. the precision and accuracy to which you can quote your experimental results), after which there was one lab session per week, which is 3 hours long. At the end of Michaelmas and the start of Epiphany there were also weekly computing classes to go along with the programming assessments. The double module (core physics) consists of 5 lectures per week, one a day, and a tutorial each week.

Hope that has helped!

Reply 5673

Original post by RATKING

How big are tutorials; are they relatively personal? Are there any other types of teaching other than lectures too?

Secondly, in the second year is your college much less relevant? If so in what ways ?

I'm a 2nd year :smile:

In second year it all changes slightly, instead of small tutorial groups in Physics they change to running workshops. Instead of having a small group of students and one tutor (like a PhD student for example) in an individual room, they put several small groups into one of the smaller lecture theatres (so there are about 60-70 students and 6/7 phd students). As such it works in much the same way, problems are distributed, students work through them and put their hands up with any questions and their 'tutor' will try and help. Any problems that are seen to be occurring for many people (ie. everyone is having problems with a particular question) will often be worked through on the main board. This style of tutorial is a bit less personal as you don't get to know your tutor as well, however you can get as much out of the session as you want. The lecturers also aim to make an appearance if they can which can be useful to clarify a point from the lecture course.

College - it depends on you! Certainly you are going to be in college less (most people move out in 2nd year) however you choose to stay as involved as you want. Personally I go back to college about once a week for choir rehearsals, some people go back more (those that work in the shop or bar or hold exec positions for example) and some people go back very rarely if at all! Everyone is invited back for formals and college events (like JCR meetings, college days, summer festivals etc.) so you still feel part of a college but it is up to you how much time you spend there.

Original post by RATKING

Thanks!

Do you know how plausible it is to apply for a year abroad (in an english speaking university) for 3rd year for the course?

Posted from TSR Mobile

I would say, the Physics department I believe is looking into coming up with a degree that includes a year abroad that doesn't count towards your degree. In the past it has been difficult for people as they have done a year abroad in a foreign university, but the grades from the exam they sit there count towards their overall degree mark. They also have the problem of not having covered certain parts of the course, during the year they are abroad and for their final year when they get back.

Natural sciences is even more complicated as it is harder to resolve the fact you'll be missing a wider range of material. However it is worth emailing them as you may be in a position to go on a year abroad that doesn't count towards your degree and as such wouldn't matter about grades or missing stuff as the idea is it's just like a break, you'd do your 1st and 2nd years, have a year abroad and return to do your 3rd (and 4th) years. :smile:

Reply 5674

Original post by NJam

I've heard that doing a year abroad as part of Natural Sciences is quite difficult, which is understandable as it is quite a unique course structure. If I were you, I'd email Dr. James Blowey ([email protected]) to ask him about doing this.

In a typical week I have around 20 contact hours. In maths, I take 3 modules. One of these has just 2 lectures a week, the other two have 3. On top of that, there is either a tutorial or problem class each week for each module (in Michaelmas, every week was a tutorial, in Epiphany it alternates between problem classes and tutorials). Furthermore, (though I've never actually been to these), there are two catch up lectures which go through some things which you may not have covered at A-Level, or may not be able to remember if you took a year out or w/e. In physics, I take 2 modules (one of which is a double module). One is the laboratory based module - for this there were 3 lectures at the start of the year which covered errors (i.e. the precision and accuracy to which you can quote your experimental results), after which there was one lab session per week, which is 3 hours long. At the end of Michaelmas and the start of Epiphany there were also weekly computing classes to go along with the programming assessments. The double module (core physics) consists of 5 lectures per week, one a day, and a tutorial each week.

Hope that has helped!

Thank you that helped a lot! I will email Dr James Blowey about the year abroad.

Reply 5675

Original post by pianofluteftw

I'm a 2nd year :smile:

In second year it all changes slightly, instead of small tutorial groups in Physics they change to running workshops. Instead of having a small group of students and one tutor (like a PhD student for example) in an individual room, they put several small groups into one of the smaller lecture theatres (so there are about 60-70 students and 6/7 phd students). As such it works in much the same way, problems are distributed, students work through them and put their hands up with any questions and their 'tutor' will try and help. Any problems that are seen to be occurring for many people (ie. everyone is having problems with a particular question) will often be worked through on the main board. This style of tutorial is a bit less personal as you don't get to know your tutor as well, however you can get as much out of the session as you want. The lecturers also aim to make an appearance if they can which can be useful to clarify a point from the lecture course.

College - it depends on you! Certainly you are going to be in college less (most people move out in 2nd year) however you choose to stay as involved as you want. Personally I go back to college about once a week for choir rehearsals, some people go back more (those that work in the shop or bar or hold exec positions for example) and some people go back very rarely if at all! Everyone is invited back for formals and college events (like JCR meetings, college days, summer festivals etc.) so you still feel part of a college but it is up to you how much time you spend there.

I would say, the Physics department I believe is looking into coming up with a degree that includes a year abroad that doesn't count towards your degree. In the past it has been difficult for people as they have done a year abroad in a foreign university, but the grades from the exam they sit there count towards their overall degree mark. They also have the problem of not having covered certain parts of the course, during the year they are abroad and for their final year when they get back.

Natural sciences is even more complicated as it is harder to resolve the fact you'll be missing a wider range of material. However it is worth emailing them as you may be in a position to go on a year abroad that doesn't count towards your degree and as such wouldn't matter about grades or missing stuff as the idea is it's just like a break, you'd do your 1st and 2nd years, have a year abroad and return to do your 3rd (and 4th) years. :smile:

Thanks for all that. Really helpful as I need to decide on whether I firm Durham for Maths and Physics (Possibly Natsci if I choose to take a philosophy module) or Warwick (Maths at the moment with the idea of taking physics as my optional modules and maybe transferring to maths and physics in second year).

Reply 5676

Original post by RATKING

Thanks for all that. Really helpful as I need to decide on whether I firm Durham for Maths and Physics (Possibly Natsci if I choose to take a philosophy module) or Warwick (Maths at the moment with the idea of taking physics as my optional modules and maybe transferring to maths and physics in second year).

Hey no problem :smile:

If you have any more questions please ask :smile:

I'm on the staff student consultative committee and am a tour guide for freshers so know quite a bit about how especially the Physics dept. operates, but am also really good friends with people who do NatSci (Physics and Maths).

I thought I'd ask - which Philosophy module are you thinking of taking? (If you know already). I did the History and Philosophy of Science in my first year which was really interesting and a really nice break from pure science! I would warn you though, taking the Maths and Physics route (as joint honours) restricts your options for modules in later years, if you have a particular interest in philosophy you can still take those modules but you'll most like graduate with a generic Natural Sciences degree rather than a joint honours Maths and Physics degree (for which you need to have taken certain modules).

I also looked at Warwick - I know it's a personal choice but I much preferred Durham. I didn't want to go to a campus university, and I love Durham as it's such a small city with the university really integrated into it.

Reply 5677

EdmundBlackadder

What is the food like at Durham, especially St John's? Could anyone give a sort of menu thing so I get an idea of what's on offer?

Reply 5678