Important Online Academic Resource’s in Maynooth University
Moodle
Moodle is a program one becomes very familiar with in a student’s time in Maynooth let alone as a first year. The online resource facilitates the user to carry out an array tasks such as:
* Reading Lecture Notes and Slides
* Sign Up for Class Tutorials
* Submitting Assignments
* Online Assessment
These aforementioned features are the most frequently used functions on Moodle from a personal standpoint. During your time as a new Maynooth first year, the Moodle application which is downloadable to any smartphone will be a dependable resource that will keep your academic life in check. From a personal standpoint, I found the application of most benefit to me when keeping my academic life on track. Once first year starts in September, assignments, readings, online exams(MCQ) and tutorial sign-ups are thrust upon you instantaneously. With the onus of college being on you and you alone it is imperative to cast on eye on the Moodle every day to see if there is any new activity. I like to think of it as an academic social network, and if you treat it like a social media application on your smartphone, keeping up to date with college academics will be easy.
Turnitin
When submitting assignments the student has the option of handing in the assignment via ‘Turnitin’ or handing in a physical copy to the specified department. Turnitin is an online tool in the Moodle application that allows the user to submit assignments through an online portal. The lecturer will usually specify where he/she wishes to receive the assignment. The turnitin application allows the user to check there assignment for plagiarism before submitting using the ‘Self Check’.
Library
Maynooth University students also have access to online academic resources provided by the library. This service is highly beneficial to the university student as it can be used off campus, meaning all students can access scripts from all four corners of the world. The service is a very simple to use , the university upon arrival provide you with login details to access the library off campus. Searching and browsing literature is simplistic with special fee paying websites (college fees used to pay for access) specialised for most courses in the college. In my case whenever I need to look at case material for
Law I used the websites “Westlaw” or “LexisNexis” to research, websites like these and many others provided me with vital information to succeed in my studies. Many will agree that being able to do work away from unversity frees there schedule up completely because the off-campus access is anytime and anywhere, enabling the user to work from home at the weekends without having to travel to the on-campus libraries.
The online library also provides past exam papers that are accessible to all students, making it easy to prepare for scheduled examinations in January and May. Maynooth Library(https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library)
Off Campus Library Access (https://login.jproxy.nuim.ie/login?qurl=https%3A//www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library/campus) Moodle (https://2017.moodle.maynoothuniversity.ie/login/index.php)
Programme Advisory Office
The main role of the Programme Advisory Office is to offer assistance and advice to students who may be encountering difficulties in their programme of study.
The office is located in Rowan House. It is open fives days a week.
You can email (programme.choices@nuim.ie) to schedule a meeting or you can phone (+35314747428).
Newly established within the Centre for Teaching and Learning, the Programme Advisory Office is available to assist and advise undergraduate students with programme related decisions they may be unsure about before and after the registration period. The Programme Advisory Office consists of the Programme Advisor, Caitriona McGrattan, who is supported by a team of PG students during peak times. The Programme Advisory Office acts as a guide to students as they navigate their own way through their programme options.
The second function of the Programme Advisory Office is to promote the key components of the new curriculum to the current students including: increased subject choice, electives, critical skills and experiential learning opportunities.
For example: The Programme Advisory Office hosted a series of year 2 Information Sessions for current first year students in April to advise them of the programme choices and options in second year – over 500 students attended.
The third function of the Programme Advisory Office is to support the students as they transition into the university, in conjunction with many other offices, during orientation and also as they transition between academic years at Maynooth University.
The Programme Advisory Office is available to all undergraduate students. This year in particular they have worked most closely with first and second year students as they have the most choices to make under the new curriculum introduced in September; they will welcome any questions or queries from all other years though.
Incoming first year students are all briefed by the Programme Advisory Office during orientation about the programme choices they will be asked to make during their academic journey at Maynooth University. The Programme Advisory Team is also available in person in the Library, Callan, Iontas and the Arts Building to answer any follow up questions students may have before registering after their briefing.
Continuing second year students are also encouraged to avail of this service if they are unsure about their programme option.
For example:
If they have any questions about the difference in major/minor pathways or whether or not to choose to take an elective.
Caitriona McGrattan’s Office is located on the ground floor of Rowan House, Room 1.17. Details of drop in times and how to book any appointment are on the Programme Advisory Office website: (https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/programme-advisory-office).
Choosing your subjects:
Subjects:
We all have a choice in this part in our life and it is all the same choice. What subjects will I be studying for the next 3-4 years in Maynooth University? We all wish to gain a deeper insight into the difficulty and workload that each one of these subjects include. Look no further than right here, come with me, through the mind of a student who has faced all the same confusion and difficulties that await for you in the near future. I will use my experiences to help you thrive in choosing your subjects.
Do your Research:
Do your research (or DYFR)! That’s why you’re here, right? Where to start? I have many tips and tricks that you can use, if administered early, can be effective.
Somebody You Know:
Ask someone taking the course that you are interested in. In doing so, you gain a first-hand lead onto the answers of all the questions you might have. If you don’t know anybody that is close by with the information you seek you can search for the course on Facebook. If you type in, for example “Biotechnology Maynooth”, groups, friends and posts are revealed in relation to your course. This is just for people who won’t put the effort into researching the course/subjects online, just a fast and easy way to get the answers you’re looking for.
Internet Research:
For the more dependable way of finding information, there are many roads you can take. Road number one is going to Maynooth University Website and going to the course finder (http://apps.maynoothuniversity.ie/courses/?TARGET=CS&MODE=SEARCH) to search your course. Course finder works very easily, just type in the code of the course that will be available in your CAO booklet, it will display all the information that you will need for the full duration of your course.
Other Means.
Road number two is another road that isn’t that dependable. Discussion forums such as Boards, Careers Portal and an app that can prove useful when all the trolls are asleep, YikYak. CareersPortal and Boards are forums that you can search a discussion topic or start your own. Try-hards mostly use these forums to predict leaving cert questions. These sites are way more reliable than the time you google the questions that were going to come up in your exam. YikYak is an app, however, that can be easily downloaded to your android phone or IPhone. Once all the mean trolls are offline there can be those innocent bystanders that will be willing to answer your queries, but if you do get information on YikYak you may want to verify your data off a different means so you know that it isn’t a troll you’re speaking to.
YikYak (app) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yik.yak on android
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yik-yak/id730992767?mt=8 on iPhone
Boards: http://www.boards.ie/
Careers portal: https://careersportal.ie/
Events Organised by the College:
There is also Open Days available to attend for all undergraduates to check out the campus and ask representatives questions and they’ll point you in the right direction. What a great way to make new friends.
Everybody attends their Orientation Week because there is something on every day of it such as getting your student card, registering on Moodle, falling asleep in lecture halls, you simply can’t miss out on all of that. During this time period, Lecturers are on sight to be approached and questioned. Most of the topics should be covered within the lectures that are given about the subjects but if there is still something that you are unsure of, you’ll need to skip down the stairs to catch them.
Things to consider before choosing that subject:
The workload, what work is required weekly in order to truly thrive in your grades. The hours, are you able to attend all the lectures, if not, how can you fix that? Is it something that you’d enjoy working with for the next 3-4 years? What is the prospectus behind it, does it bring you closer to your overall goal?
Subjects available:
Biology Chemistry Maths
Mathematical Physics Physics with Astrophysics Computer Science
Theoretical Physics Psychology Philosophy
Experimental Physics Engineering Science Business & Management
Business (international) Marketing Equine Business
Business & Accounting Law & Business Critical Skills
Product Design Entrepreneurship Criminology
Economics Finance Business & Management
Marketing Equine Business Business & Accounting
Accounting & Finance Education Early Childhood
Engineering Robotics and Intelligent Devices International Development
Law Medieval Celtic Studies Music
Psychological Studies Politics Sociology
Spanish Nua Ghaeilge Latin
Community Studies Accounting Business(Management)
Business(Marketing) Chinese Studies Computer Science
English French Geography
German Greek Greek & Roman Civilization
History Anthropology
These are all the subjects at your disposal. Choose wisely.
Subject Changes
Subject Registration: There are three compulsory stages to registering your subjects. Everyone receives a step by step guide which outlines what to do to register. It can be slightly confusing by if you follow the steps on the email, you shouldn’t have any problems!
Stage one: Online registration of programme and payment of fees. This is the easy part. All you have to do is go on to the Maynooth University website and and fill in your details. But be sure to do it on time as there is a late registration fee off €100.
Stage two: On campus registration. This is the part where you actually have to go and attend subject talks. It gives you an opportunity to make an informed decision on whether you are picking the right subjects or not. Don’t forget, you have loads of options! You can also speak to students who are studying your course on this day. Hopefully they can reassure you on your choices.
Stage three: Register subjects and receive student card. This is done on campus as well. You go to the library and there are people there to help you put in all of your details correctly. It’s easy and quick to do. You also get to take your student card picture, something I personally dreaded and refuse to show anyone. You’ll be lost without this little card, so look after it!
Subject Changes: Picking subjects can be hard enough but then when you realise one or more of the ones you have chosen are not for you, it can become stressful. The first thing to do is not panic. Coming from someone who did have to change a subject, it’s definitely not worth stressing over. There is plenty of time to change but if you can, find out the deadline for subject change at the start of the semester as there is €50 fee for late subject change.
The best thing to do is go to the registration office which is located on the ground floor of humanity house on south campus.
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When I went, I asked someone to help me and they had no problem showing me what to do. It is possible to do it yourself online but this can be confusing and the last thing you’d want to do is mess that up. You have to make sure that your new subject fits into your current timetable. I had to move a few tutorials and labs around but that early in the semester, none of the departments really mind a few changes. Remember to enjoy your subjects and don’t worry about little things that can be easily fixed!
Support and Other Resources
The Library:
Maynooth University Library is one of the most iconic buildings in the University, located on South Campus with ‘Maynooth University’ in large bold white letters on it glass exterior, it sits directly in front of the bronze statue of pope John Paul II embracing two kneeling children. If you’re still unsure take a look at the University map, its located centrally, on south campus, marked as John Paul II Library, it’s the building pictured on your student card. The Library offers students a range of support and resources to help students with their academic life.
The Library is an ideal place for students to study. It offers quiet facilities for students to come in and get work done individually but also holds spaces for group work. The library is home to over 450,000 books/eBooks and more than 42,000 electronic journals. These are a valuable resource available to anyone studying at the university.
The library offers subject support, where students can meet their subject librarian and get help in researching for their assignments and get lecturer recommended resources. LIST or Library & Information Skills Tutorials are 30 minute sessions held in the library in order to help students with a wide range of skills and topics, including library and information skills, personal development techniques, IT services, job and career strategies.
Opening Hours 08:00-00:00
Service Hours 08:45-21:45
Maths Support Centre:
The Maths Support Centre offers a free service to all maths students. The Maths Support Centre is located in Rye Hall on the North Campus behind the John Hume and Iontas buildings. The service is provided to aid any maths students having difficulty with their work or struggling to understand a certain topic. Note that an initial attempt or consideration must be made of the material you require help in before any can be given and also to bring your lecture notes along with you. There are regular drop in services available and also workshops aimed at tackling specific issues students may be having trouble with. The support centre has been proven to greatly benefit students having difficulties and if you find yourself in any way struggling it is highly recommended you give them a visit; they would be more than happy to help.
http://supportcentre.maths.nuim.ie/openinghours
Academic Writing Centre
Located in Room 001 (Ground Floor) School of Education Building, on the North Campus, the Academic Writing Centre offers students of any discipline, post and undergraduate, help with their academic writing. This service is free and can be availed of through a drop in service where students are given one to one help with an expert tutor. Writing Centre staff also offer writing workshops where groups can get together and learn specific writing techniques. If you ever find yourself stumped with what to write next, how to avoid plagiarism or how to reference like you’ve been doing it since junior infants this is where to go.
Don’t forget academic and personal life go hand in hand, if you feel you need help in other areas don’t hesitate to check out the other support and services available on campus:
https://criticalskillsproject.wordpress.com/supports-and-services-2/
Ride The Tide-A Maynooth University Guide 