UMEP (Biology) or not?

[Mathmaticious]

Subjects I will be doing if not UMEP: 3/4:
English
Health
Business
Specialist
Chemistry

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Subjects I will be doing if i do UMEP: 3/4:
English
Business
Specialist
Chemistry
And UMEP Biology

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I have completed Units 3/4 Biology in year eleven, but don't know yet how i went in Exam. I picked up Health Unit 2 at the beginning of semester 2 in year eleven, unlike the majority of students that continued it from Unit 1 and who are doing really well, where else I am not doing that well. Now my question is that should I do UMEP Biology instead of Health 3/4? I am aware of the fact that travelling time may be a lot and also it could be tiring, but would it be worth every shot if I assume that Health would be in my bottom 2 looking at my Unit 2 results?

Also another question, would it be really tiring and hard to cope with UMEP Biology and VCE 3/4 Chemistry at the same time as both are Sciences and require practical reports and all of the other things? (Regardless of my performance in Business and Specialist)

Any advice / suggestion would be appreciated, Thanks 

[datfatcat]

I have completed Units 3/4 Biology in year eleven, but don't know yet how i went in Exam. I picked up Health Unit 2 at the beginning of semester 2 in year eleven, unlike the majority of students that continued it from Unit 1 and who are doing really well, where else I am not doing that well. Now my question is that should I do UMEP Biology instead of Health 3/4? I am aware of the fact that travelling time may be a lot and also it could be tiring, but would it be worth every shot if I assume that Health would be in my bottom 2 looking at my Unit 2 results?

Also another question, would it be really tiring and hard to cope with UMEP Biology and VCE 3/4 Chemistry at the same time as both are Sciences and require practical reports and all of the other things? (Regardless of my performance in Business and Specialist)

Any advice / suggestion would be appreciated, Thanks 

Here are several things I want to address here:
1. You can have a look at Health Unit 1 and 2 over the holiday if you want to continue with the subject.  I know a few people who didn't do unit 1 and 2 and still managed to do quite well in year 12.
2. If you pick UMEP biology, there are few things you need to consider: Travel time, the difficulty of the course (you can have a look at topics that they will cover in the course online or even grab the texbook to have a read beforehand.  Some of the contents would be overlapped with year 1 medicine.
3. I don't think it would be a problem to pick 2 science subjects just because of practical reports and assignments.  I did three science subjects (VCE not UMEP) in year 12.  So I think what you need to think is point 2 (if you want to do UMEP) or point 1 (if you are considering Health). 

[Flor]

Does anyone have any experience with UMEP? Or can anyone who has studied or currently studying HHD provide some assistance(in terms of workload etc etc.)?

[Damoz.G]

Does anyone have any experience with UMEP?

There's quite a few on here that I've seen. Alwin, nliu1995 and abcdqdxD to name a few.

[Jeggz]

Does anyone have any experience with UMEP? Or can anyone who has studied or currently studying HHD provide some assistance(in terms of workload etc etc.)?

Yes I've had experience with UMEP and I did HHD last year haha
What was your question, sorry?

[abcdqdxD]

I just had a look at the class times for biology. Here is what it says:

Class hours: School Centre – One three-hour lecture/tutorial class, and in alternate weeks either a three-hour practical class or a computer-based activity.

On Campus – Three one-hour lectures over three days. One hour of theory workshops and two hours of practical workshops per fortnight, one hour of problem-solving classes per fortnight, two hours of pre and post laboratory activities per week, twenty-four hours of e-learning each semester and two hours of online independent learning tasks and activities per week.

Please note: Practical sessions will be held at the University of Melbourne, Parkville campus. Dates and times to be advised.

I'm not quite sure what the last bit means, but I think if you choose to go to a school centre you may still have to go to Parkville to do pracs. Also note that you will have to go to "three one hour lectures over three days" if you choose to go on campus. Are you willing to make that sacrifice?

The other members Damoz quoted (Alvin, nliu1995) do UMEP maths at school centres so they don't actually have to go on campus. The benefit of that is you might be able to cut down on travel time, but if you want a proper uni experience then go on campus.

For me, Accounting is only held on campus on Wednesdays 4:15-7:15pm including a 2 hour lecture and 1 hour tutorial.

Workload is minimal, spent about 1 hour per week in semester 1 (mainly doing online MCQ tests which were compulsory). Semester 2 I've basically spent 0 time on uni so I have 6 days to cram for my uni exam after my last vce exam I guess the thing in uni is that no one pushes you to do anything, it's all up to you. The workload can be as heavy or as light as what you want.

Hope that helps

[hobbitle]

I just had a look at the class times for biology. Here is what it says:... etc

I'm not quite sure what the last bit means, but I think if you choose to go to a school centre you may still have to go to Parkville to do pracs. Also note that you will have to go to "three one hour lectures over three days" if you choose to go on campus. Are you willing to make that sacrifice?

I didn't do UMEP but I had a lab partner this semester who was in year 12 taking Biology UMEP.  She said they came in one day a week (I don't know whether it was to the school centre or to campus) where they had all three lectures for the week in one go (3 hours session).  Then she came in for the prac obviously.  I'm not sure if you are allocated your prac time (she was Friday afternoon) or if you get to choose.  But UMEP Biology students are almost definitely NOT required to come in to campus 3 times a week for a one hour lecture each time.

I'm not sure how UMEP Biology works, do you take Biology of Cells & Organisms in Semester 1 and Genetics & The Evolution of Life in Semester 2?  Or do you just pick one semester?  Either way, Biology is quite time consuming, BUT if you did 3/4 in Year 11 it would be a LOT LESS time consuming.  I really copped it because I had no biology background but you will be covering a lot of familiar ground and building on it.

P.S. FWIW I think you should definitely do UMEP Biology if you're thinking of doing anything Science related at uni.

[Flor]

Yes I've had experience with UMEP and I did HHD last year haha
What was your question, sorry?

I guess just basically explaining your experience? Pros and cons etc? Also in terms of HHD, more so about content and workload etc. I think the OP wanted to know whether it involved a lot of rote learning. Also, how did you find HHD? Like/dislike it? pros and cons?

Also

Also another question, would it be really tiring and hard to cope with UMEP Biology and VCE 3/4 Chemistry at the same time as both are Sciences and require practical reports and all of the other things? (Regardless of my performance in Business and Specialist)

[teletubbies_95]

I'm doing Uni Pysch and HHD this year. But let's just say that my Uni Psych subject didn't have such a large workload and I didn't really have to do much for it. HHD , I just did constant revision throughout the year and there is a LOT of memorisation. You have to perfect your answers, as you can drop marks easily and as I said, constant revision is required.

Best of luck with your decision.

[Jeggz]

I guess just basically explaining your experience? Pros and cons etc? Also in terms of HHD, more so about content and workload etc. I think the OP wanted to know whether it involved a lot of rote learning. Also, how did you find HHD? Like/dislike it? pros and cons?

Okay I think to do a Uni Enhancement subject, you gotta be reaaaaaally passionate about it! It's not a walk in the park (wasn't for me anyways) and you got to be able to persist when the going gets tough. That being said, it's a great exposure to what uni subjects are like and some of the concepts are extremely interesting and challenging I didn't have to go to UoM because mine was at my very own school, so I can't exactly speak on behalf of travel. But yeah, overall I don't regret choosing Uni Maths at all - you'll end up having a decreased workload because there's nothing like SACS, only assignments, and my lecturer was pretty lenient about due dates and all So yes, definitely endorse doing a Uni Subject IF you are passionate

In terms of HHD - that was actually my bludge subject haha, but yes there is alot of memory work involved. That being said I'm pretty Bio sure is like that too..so I can't exactly compare the too, having not done Bio I liked HHD, but I would certainly recommend doing a Uni Enhancement over that, because personally I think it would be more rewarding!

All the best with your decision, and feel free to ask any more questions!

[Mathmaticious]

Thanks Guys. Overall, would UMEP decrease year twelve workload or would it make it harder/more challenging than otherwise (if i do HHD), considering that HHD would be in my bottom two as I'm not doing that well in it compared to my cohort? Also, is it easy to drop a 40 in HHD or not, considering there are so many people doing it?

[Damoz.G]

Thanks Guys. Overall, would UMEP decrease year twelve workload or would it make it harder/more challenging than otherwise (if i do HHD), considering that HHD would be in my bottom two as I'm not doing that well in it compared to my cohort? Also, is it easy to drop a 40 in HHD or not, considering there are so many people doing it?

Well it depends on how organised you are, and how confident you are in the UMEP Subject. It's different for everyone, but I think it would be challenging, not harder if you do enjoy it. You will need to obviously dedicate time to it to maximise it.

I hear that it is a good experience, but you just have to take it seriously and enjoy it.

In terms of the 40 for HHD, I don't do the subject, so I'm not fully sure unfortunately. Sorry. =/

[Alwin]

Thanks Guys. Overall, would UMEP decrease year twelve workload or would it make it harder/more challenging than otherwise (if i do HHD), considering that HHD would be in my bottom two as I'm not doing that well in it compared to my cohort? Also, is it easy to drop a 40 in HHD or not, considering there are so many people doing it?

Hmm, well erm even though me and Jeggz do the same extension program, "difficulty" and "workload" are quite subjective terms. Personally I see uni maths as a bit of fun and the muep was sometimes the highlight of my week (in an non-nerdy way ofc)

One more thing btw, for a uni extension subject:
5.0 == 90+ grades
4.5 == 80 - 90 grades
4.0 == 70 - 80 grades
3.5 == 60 - 70 grades
3.0 == 50 - 60 grades

So I guess when you look at it, you only need to get 80% overall to get 4.0 (equivalent to a 40) BUT I'm not sure that this 4.0 would be "easier" compared to a normal study score of 40... depends on what subject you prefer and what your strengths are I guess

You can always apply for it and do HHD, then drop out of the one you don't like (I think vcaa gives you up to April to decide)

Good luck

[Mathmaticious]

UMEP starts in March I think, and if School allows, I will do both until April, and I guess i can drop one. Thanks Guys (feel free to post further suggestions about UMEP Biology vs Health And Human Development). Also, apart from VCAA, does the Uni give you an option of droping the UMEP subject anytime you want? Regards

[Alwin]

UMEP starts in March I think, and if School allows, I will do both until April, and I guess i can drop one. Thanks Guys (feel free to post further suggestions about UMEP Biology vs Health And Human Development). Also, apart from VCAA, does the Uni give you an option of droping the UMEP subject anytime you want? Regards

Yup, you can drop out of an extension study within the first semester (iirc) and they won't even keep a record that you attempted the study so you WON'T have "failed uni bio" on your student records

Btw you won't get any credit for dropping out, even if you drop out mid year