Hello all, 

I thought I'd create this thread for anyone that has any burning questions about their subject for next year. Have a look on the Frep board to see what we all do, and if there's a question you want an answer to, post it here and one of us will try and help!

If you can't find someone that has the same subject(s) as you, post anyway and we'll try to find someone that does

Ditt (Chemistry 4th year MChem)

Most departments offer you module options throughout your time at Durham. Some of these are free choices and some are from a set list.

As your first year does not count towards your final degree mark feel free to choose modules that you will enjoy. Remember though that you have to pass all of your modules to progress to 2nd year. Therefore don't choose something that sounds fun but you know you will struggle with.

Some modules are pre-requisites for others so if you have options in your 2nd year you may be able to take higher modules, based on what you took in 1st year. This usually means languages, for example beginner french in first year and intermediate in 2nd year.

Hope that makes sense,

Simon

(Chemistry 3rd year MChem)

It'll still be a History degree! It's very straightforward to apply to your 2 optional modules in first year. you just go to the resepective department that runs them. for example, in my first year I took Astronomy for all (a Physics module) and Molecules in action (a chemistry one) alongside my 4 compulsory chemistry modules, so i had a jaunt to the physics department to have them sign my module application sheet to get on the astronomy course, and likewise with chemistry department.

There shouldn't usually be any problem with your choices, unless there is an overlap in lecture times in which case you should be prewarned in your handbook or by the department you are applying to. If there is, relax. its very straightforward to change your optionals and many people do, including myself as I started a Philosophy optional in my first year before loathing it after a few weeks and changing it to astronomy. Didn't like that too much either but its an easy module and as I said has no bearing on my degree!

So choose whatever you have an interest in. It's an oppurtunity to have a taster in all courses the Uni offers, be it English, Spanish, sign language or perhaps you might want to choose courses that relate to your chosen subject or might relate to it in susequent years of your degree. Usually the number of optional modules you can take decreases each year until you're focused solely on your chosen topic.

Ditts