ATAR Notes: Forum
Uni Stuff => Universities - Victoria => University of Melbourne => Topic started by: nubs on March 27, 2013, 03:33:16 pm
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If I were to do a concurrent diploma in mathematical sciences, it would just be equivalent to a major for a different discipline, wouldn't it? So by the end of my undergraduate degree, I would have completed two majors?
I'm just wondering, will the scores I get for the subjects I do for my concurrent diploma be used in calculating my overall GPA?
I'm planning on cross crediting four of the eight subjects, and with the other four subjects I do to complete my diploma, will they be included in my GPA calculations?
If I were to apply for medicine or dentistry, would they be used to calculate my GPA as well? Or are they only looked at if I was applying for a graduate program in mathematical sciences?
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Basically, I planned my degree in such a way that would allow me to complete a major in applied mathematics in the regular three years.
This year, however, they restructured the major and swapped around some subjects, got rid of some others and introduced some new ones altogether. So now I will only be able to complete my degree by 2015 instead of 2014. So in 2014 I'll have to do 3 subjects each semester, then in 2015 I'll be doing 1 subject each semester. Or I could do two subjects each semester for both of the years. Either way, I find it to be a huge waste of time - but I really want to major in mathematics and then do some further study in the field.
I was thinking that I might major in chemistry and to a concurrent diploma in mathematical sciences. As far as I can tell, there isn't really much use in having BOTH of these majors, and there isn't a single field out there that would be looking for graduates who are well versed in both of these disciplines. Does anyone know of any careers or further study options where people are looking for graduates with majors in both chem and mathematics?
The main reason I'm considering the maths diploma alongside a chem major is that I enjoy chemistry as well, and this way I won't be going through 2015 with a ridiculous amount of spare time on my hands. I'll also get qualifications in chemistry, which is a plus.
Does anyone know of any other options I could consider that are more useful or practical than the chem/maths option? I enjoy philosophy as well, which complements maths, but as far as I can tell I can't do a diploma in philosophy until I complete an undergraduate degree anyway.
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Reminds me a bit of this:
(http://www.theormondian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/liberal-arts-inc.jpeg)
Unfortunately, out there in the world, its often based on what people can use you for. Our society and industry has been around for such a long time that working positions have become increasingly specialised and different from each-other. You don't need to go to some big office or lab to notice this, look at a construction site. You have someone laying pipes, someone digging ditches, hell, you even have someone holding that "stop" sign.
It'd be very rare to work across two separate disciplines, unless the discipline made sense combined in itself. For example, you'd be hard-pressed to find a direct use for commerce and say engineering, as taught at uni. You have answers like "well, commerce might help you if you want to open your own engineering practice", yeah maybe but that wont use 90% of the stuff you learned about derivatives and GDP and whatever else.
An example where it makes sense (and its an actual job/position/useful to someone) is something like health economics. You need to know a bit about medicine distribution and the pharmacy system (more policy/law type thing though, wont use much science knowledge) and economics. You work on things like the PBS or for drug companies and figure out if a drug is cost effective. These roles are usually very specialised and in the case of health economics anyway, require a separate masters degree in health economic.
Don't let it put you off doing it though. University isn't a job factory, its also a place to learn (surprise!). These are some of the best and most free years of your life, soak it up. If it takes you an extra year or two to do it, so what if it makes you happy? Personally, i like being in uni anyway. A few years really, really, really is nothing. It might seem like a lot but it isn't. A lot of people fail subjects/change degrees/swap subjects/take time off/go on exchange and dont finish their degree in the alloted time anyway.
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You have put my mind to eeeeeeeeeeeeease, I probably will end up doing the diploma then.
I still have a few questions for anyone who might be able to answer them, though
I'm just wondering, will the scores I get for the subjects I do for my concurrent diploma (in mathematical sciences) be used in calculating my overall GPA?
I'm planning on cross crediting four of the eight subjects, and with the other four remaining subjects I do to complete my diploma, will they be included in my GPA calculations for my overall undergraduate degree?
If I were to apply for medicine or dentistry, would they be used to calculate my GPA as well? Or are they only looked at if I was applying for a graduate program in mathematical sciences?
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I'm just wondering, will the scores I get for the subjects I do for my concurrent diploma be used in calculating my overall GPA?
I'm planning on cross crediting four of the eight subjects, and with the other four subjects I do to complete my diploma, will they be included in my GPA calculations?
If I were to apply for medicine or dentistry, would they be used to calculate my GPA as well? Or are they only looked at if I was applying for a graduate program in mathematical sciences?
With the GPA, I think it depends on what postgraduate option you apply for. I was told that for the Master of Actuarial Studies, if I took a Diploma of Maths alongside my arts degree they'd focus solely on the Diploma marks. On the other hand, to the best of my knowledge, my marks in my Diploma of Languages (I chose not to bother with the maths option) are ignored for everything apart from admission into second-year quota language subjects, language scholarships, etc.
I'm pretty sure that cross-credited subjects are considered part of your main degree in all respects.
With med/dent., I doubt they'd care about any subjects that aren't part of your Bachelor's Degree.