Login

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

March 29, 2024, 08:16:02 pm

Author Topic: Biomed at Melbourne or Monash?  (Read 8232 times)  Share 

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

alondouek

  • Subject Review God
  • Honorary Moderator
  • ATAR Notes Superstar
  • *******
  • Posts: 2903
  • Oh to be a Gooner!
  • Respect: +316
  • School: Leibler Yavneh College
  • School Grad Year: 2012
Biomed at Melbourne or Monash?
« on: December 18, 2012, 05:23:53 pm »
0
Okay, I need some advice.

I was fortunate enough to obtain an ATAR of 96.55, as well as obtaining acceptance into both the "Vice-Chancellor's Access Monash" program and the "Access Melbourne" scholarship, ostensibly for Monash and Melbourne Universities respectively.

My first preference is currently Biomed.Science/Science double degree at Monash (clearly in 94.15), which I've qualified for both through my ATAR and prereqs, as well as through the Access Monash. The Access Monash awards me between $1000 and $1,500, as well as guaranteed entrance into the above course.

On the flipside, Access Melbourne offers me guaranteed entry to their Biomed course as well as $13,500 over the course of the degree. However, I cannot undertake the double degree that I want at Melbourne.

Ordinarily, it wouldn't be an issue, but due to my current financial situation, the extra money would be a massive help.

What should I do? Are there any other important factors that I should consider when making this decision?
2013-2016
Majoring in Genetics and Developmental Biology

2012 ATAR: 96.55
English [48] Biology [40]

Need a driving instructor? Mobility Driving School

mark_alec

  • Victorian
  • Part of the furniture
  • *****
  • Posts: 1173
  • Respect: +30
Re: Biomed at Melbourne or Monash?
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2012, 06:57:33 pm »
0
What about the double degree attracts you? Specifically, why is it a better fit than either a biomed or science degree?

How do the locations of each university affect you?

Russ

  • Honorary Moderator
  • Great Wonder of ATAR Notes
  • *******
  • Posts: 8442
  • Respect: +661
Re: Biomed at Melbourne or Monash?
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2012, 07:14:39 pm »
0
Unless your heart is set on the double (it's a strange double degree to do, they're rather similar I guess), then the money is a pretty legit reason to pick a university here.

alondouek

  • Subject Review God
  • Honorary Moderator
  • ATAR Notes Superstar
  • *******
  • Posts: 2903
  • Oh to be a Gooner!
  • Respect: +316
  • School: Leibler Yavneh College
  • School Grad Year: 2012
Re: Biomed at Melbourne or Monash?
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2012, 08:02:52 pm »
0
What about the double degree attracts you? Specifically, why is it a better fit than either a biomed or science degree?

How do the locations of each university affect you?

Location's not an issue, so at least that's one thing I don't have to worry about  :)

I feel that the double degree gives me the choice of breadth if I feel I need it; any of the fundamental sciences either complement my biomed degree (e.g. biology/chemistry) or give me more options career-wise. For example, I wasn't able to undertake physics in VCE, and as such I couldn't list Biomed/Engineering as a preference; however, as biomedical engineering is a rapidly-growing field of research, more opportunity is afforded to me for the future if I take a biomed/sci degree and undergo further study in bioengineering.

the money is a pretty legit reason to pick a university here.

I agree; yet the above and the fact that many of my close friends will be attending Monash (this may seem a bit silly) skew the decision somewhat.

Are there any specific academic benefits to either university? I know very little with respect to employer attitudes towards either university. Is one considered more prestigious than the other?

Thanks for your help guys.
2013-2016
Majoring in Genetics and Developmental Biology

2012 ATAR: 96.55
English [48] Biology [40]

Need a driving instructor? Mobility Driving School

Panicmode

  • Victorian
  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 828
  • Respect: +46
  • School: De La Salle College Malvern
  • School Grad Year: 2011
Re: Biomed at Melbourne or Monash?
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2012, 08:18:03 pm »
0
Location's not an issue, so at least that's one thing I don't have to worry about  :)

I feel that the double degree gives me the choice of breadth if I feel I need it; any of the fundamental sciences either complement my biomed degree (e.g. biology/chemistry) or give me more options career-wise. For example, I wasn't able to undertake physics in VCE, and as such I couldn't list Biomed/Engineering as a preference; however, as biomedical engineering is a rapidly-growing field of research, more opportunity is afforded to me for the future if I take a biomed/sci degree and undergo further study in bioengineering.

I agree; yet the above and the fact that many of my close friends will be attending Monash (this may seem a bit silly) skew the decision somewhat.

Are there any specific academic benefits to either university? I know very little with respect to employer attitudes towards either university. Is one considered more prestigious than the other?

Thanks for your help guys.

If you're interested in bioengineering, you can do a bio engineering major at Melbourne. This would I'd bet, put you in better stead for a future in bioengineering than engineering subjects and a biomed degree.

Also, I may be biased but I'd pick Melbourne biomed over Monash biomed any day.
2012 Biomedicine @ UoM

alondouek

  • Subject Review God
  • Honorary Moderator
  • ATAR Notes Superstar
  • *******
  • Posts: 2903
  • Oh to be a Gooner!
  • Respect: +316
  • School: Leibler Yavneh College
  • School Grad Year: 2012
Re: Biomed at Melbourne or Monash?
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2012, 08:31:20 pm »
0
If you're interested in bioengineering, you can do a bio engineering major at Melbourne. This would I'd bet, put you in better stead for a future in bioengineering than engineering subjects and a biomed degree.


Fair enough, but I'm really uncertain as to where I want to concentrate my studies; the only thing I'm sure of is that I'd want to keep it science-y. Also, I'd rather keep biomed on the table as that was my original aspiration (so maybe Melbourne Biomed? aargh). Though, seeing as I'd take the BBiomedSc/BSc for scientific breadth, can someone enlighten me as to the nature of "breadth subjects" at Melbourne?

Also, I may be biased but I'd pick Melbourne biomed over Monash biomed any day.


Any particular reasoning behind this, or just bias? I literally have no idea about university reputations...
2013-2016
Majoring in Genetics and Developmental Biology

2012 ATAR: 96.55
English [48] Biology [40]

Need a driving instructor? Mobility Driving School

mark_alec

  • Victorian
  • Part of the furniture
  • *****
  • Posts: 1173
  • Respect: +30
Re: Biomed at Melbourne or Monash?
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2012, 09:09:42 pm »
0
What are your career aspirations? Do you want to go into research or would you rather a profession (e.g. medicine or engineering).

Breadth subjects at Melbourne must be from outside of your faculty.

Russ

  • Honorary Moderator
  • Great Wonder of ATAR Notes
  • *******
  • Posts: 8442
  • Respect: +661
Re: Biomed at Melbourne or Monash?
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2012, 09:19:00 pm »
0
Melbourne biomed is focused on health sciencey medicine sort of thing. If you're interested in "science" then it's probably not the best choice; if stick with science and you can keep options open for engineering etc.

Panicmode

  • Victorian
  • Forum Leader
  • ****
  • Posts: 828
  • Respect: +46
  • School: De La Salle College Malvern
  • School Grad Year: 2011
Re: Biomed at Melbourne or Monash?
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2012, 09:23:49 pm »
0
Mostly biased, but (and this is gonna sound really uppity) the caliber of students who tend to do Melbourne biomed is generally higher than those that do Monash biomed. The student cohort at Melbourne is incredibly driven and motivated.

As for breadth subjects, they must be from outside your faculty (ie. science). You must do a minimum of 4 breadth subjects with a minimum of one level 2 breadth. You can do a max of 6 breadth subjects if you want to.

It should be mentioned that first year biomed has components which cover allege major sciences (maths, chemistry, biology and physics)
2012 Biomedicine @ UoM

alondouek

  • Subject Review God
  • Honorary Moderator
  • ATAR Notes Superstar
  • *******
  • Posts: 2903
  • Oh to be a Gooner!
  • Respect: +316
  • School: Leibler Yavneh College
  • School Grad Year: 2012
Re: Biomed at Melbourne or Monash?
« Reply #9 on: December 18, 2012, 10:06:47 pm »
0
What are your career aspirations?

Breadth subjects at Melbourne must be from outside of your faculty.

Ultimately, I would like a profession. As to what that would be, I have absolutely no idea :) I'm kind of hoping that becomes clear to me during my degree (whatever that may be). I have an uncle who lectures anatomy and physiology at Latrobe and an aunt who does the same at Victoria University; both do research as well, and both complain plenty. I'm trying not to fall into the trap of teaching like they did...

Melbourne biomed is focused on health sciencey medicine sort of thing.


If I may ask, what does Monash biomed focus on? I know a number of Monash biomed graduates who have taken post-grad med. Is there any disparity in the units/topics covered by Melbourne and Monash?

It should be mentioned that first year biomed has components which cover allege major sciences (maths, chemistry, biology and physics)


This is Melbourne biomed, right?
2013-2016
Majoring in Genetics and Developmental Biology

2012 ATAR: 96.55
English [48] Biology [40]

Need a driving instructor? Mobility Driving School

Pup

  • Victorian
  • Trendsetter
  • **
  • Posts: 189
  • Respect: +1
Re: Biomed at Melbourne or Monash?
« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2013, 08:10:47 pm »
0
how did you get an atar with 96.55? I would've expected to be higher like in the 98-99, with your subject scores
2011: Methods [40]  Chemistry [34]
2012: Global Politics [44] Specialist Maths [33] Physics [35] English [38] 
ATAR: 97.10

2013-2015: Bachelor of Biomedicine (Neuroscience)  UoM
2017-2020: Doctor of Optometry UoM

Russ

  • Honorary Moderator
  • Great Wonder of ATAR Notes
  • *******
  • Posts: 8442
  • Respect: +661
Re: Biomed at Melbourne or Monash?
« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2013, 08:32:04 pm »
0
If I may ask, what does Monash biomed focus on? I know a number of Monash biomed graduates who have taken post-grad med. Is there any disparity in the units/topics covered by Melbourne and Monash?

It's been a while since I looked at their curriculum, but from memory it's more research focus as well as requiring a lot more broad study on the different areas. Both are still fine for postgrad med though