| 2003 |
|
YEAR BOOK |
National University of Ireland, Maynooth
|
Faculty of Science,
NUI Maynooth
|
Teaching
NUI Maynooth has a student population close to 5,500, and approximately 1,200 of these are in the Faculty of Science. The Faculty has over 80 full-time academic staff and 40 post-doctoral fellows. There are more than 200 postgraduate students in the Faculty, and 165 of these are registered for MSc or PhD degrees by research. Against an excellent research background, Maynooth Science, with its intensive student support facilities, provides an exciting and supportive learning environment for its undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma students.
Undergraduate students can choose from denominated entry degrees in the following disciplines: Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Computer Science & Software Engineering, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Physics with Astrophysics, Psychology, Theoretical Physics & Computer Science and Theoretical Physics & Mathematics. Students who are interested in Science but are not sure which of the major scientific disciplines to study can take the foundation-year course in Mathematics and three of the subjects Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Experimental Physics, and Mathematical Physics. From this introductory programme it is possible to specialise in over 20 single and double honours degree programmes.
In 2002-2003, the Faculty also launched a one year NUI Certificate in Science course. This is a preparatory course for students over 21 years of age interested in studying science at university. The aim of the course is to reintroduce adults to study and learning and to give them the background they will need to embark on a course for a degree in science or engineering (see http://www.may.ie/registrar/admissions/ for further information about our courses).
Maynooth Science Camp
Following the success of the first Maynooth Science Camp (July 2002) - which over 130 second level students attended - there was great demand for a second camp in 2003. This second camp was run from the 4th to the 8th of August. As places for last year's camp were over-subscribed, this year priority was given to older students (aged 15 or above): whilst not precluding applications from students as young as 13, feedback from last year's campers led us to believe that longer, more challenging science sessions would be better (particularly for the older students).
Many of the favourite sessions from last year were back, albeit in different forms - Virtual Telescopes, Chemistry of Fireworks, Engineering Robots, for example. Among the new sessions introduced this year were: physics of flight, physics and chemistry of photography, forensics, molecular machines, biodiversity, and programming games. Other popular activities offered this year included: revision laboratories for leaving certificate students, science and sport, and super-quick web access in a controlled environment.
For more on-line information about this year's camp see www.may.ie/sciencecamp/ , or email the camp director at: [email protected]
Research
NUI Maynooth has internationally acclaimed scientists in a variety of research areas - ranging from astrophysics to molecular biology to quantum computing. The research and publication record of Faculty staff have facilitated the University in securing funding for a number of strategic, specialist research initiatives. These include two Institutes associated with the Faculty of Science - The Institute for Bioengineering & Agroecology ( http://www.may.ie/academic/ ) and The Institute for Immunology ( http://www.may.ie/academic/ ), established in December 1999, and funded under the Irish Higher Education Authority Programme for Research in Third Level Institutes initiative. A new research facility for these two Institutes was officially opened by Mr Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Education and Science, in January 2003. A third research institute, The Hamilton Institute ( http://hamilton.may.ie ), was established in July 2001 and funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). Research in The Hamilton Institute builds upon the natural synergies which exist between computer science, mathematics, physics and engineering - with a particular focus on computer controlled systems.
In addition to these competitively funded Research Institutes, researchers in the Faculty of Science at NUI Maynooth have also been successful in attracting major research from other national and international funding bodies - including SFI, Enterprise Ireland, The Irish Research Council for Science, Technology and Engineering, The Health Research Board, Teagasc, Coford, The Irish American Partnership, The European Union, The European Space Agency, The Welcome Foundation, & The Leverhulme Foundation.
Contact: Prof. Ann Burnell, Dean of Science, NUI Maynooth, Co. Kildare; Tel + 353-1- 7083840; E-mail: [email protected]