ATAR Notes: Forum

Uni Stuff => Universities - Victoria => University of Melbourne => Topic started by: cleo_xo on January 14, 2011, 05:39:40 pm

Title: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: cleo_xo on January 14, 2011, 05:39:40 pm
What are the best breadth subjects to do, and by best i mean least amount of work lol preferable subjects from the humanities area :D
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: saaaaaam on January 14, 2011, 05:49:24 pm
What sort of things are you interested in?
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: cleo_xo on January 14, 2011, 05:54:31 pm
What sort of things are you interested in?

um maybe English/Politics/History subjects, i've been trying to use the handbook but i'd like a students opinion :)
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Russ on January 14, 2011, 06:00:16 pm
What degree are you planning to do? If it's arts, you'll have to do the uni breadth ones and they're generally not that one dimensional
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: cleo_xo on January 14, 2011, 06:01:14 pm
I'm planning on a commerce degree if everything goes to plan
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Russ on January 14, 2011, 06:03:59 pm
Creative Writing (the Ideas and Practice one) is a very enjoyable first year subject, after that it gets a bit more intense/difficult/painful. Doesn't need much effort.

Classical Mythology looks good but it has a take home exam so only pick that if you're willing to put in the effort.

Politics as a breadth is apparently easy to do well in, I haven't done it myself


Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: cleo_xo on January 14, 2011, 06:08:26 pm
Creative Writing (the Ideas and Practice one) is a very enjoyable first year subject, after that it gets a bit more intense/difficult/painful. Doesn't need much effort.

Classical Mythology looks good but it has a take home exam so only pick that if you're willing to put in the effort.

Politics as a breadth is apparently easy to do well in, I haven't done it myself




thanks, this goes off topic a bit but does the availability of a subject change from year to year, like if its only offered semester 1 in 2011 does it stay the same in 2012?
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Russ on January 14, 2011, 06:18:27 pm
Generally they stay the same but changes can occur. Don't count on it though. That said, do bear in mind that you're not obligated to do 3 core/1 breadth subject per semester. You can do 2/2 if there's a particular subject you want and then do 4/0 next semester to make up for it
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: cleo_xo on January 14, 2011, 06:20:39 pm
Generally they stay the same but changes can occur. Don't count on it though. That said, do bear in mind that you're not obligated to do 3 core/1 breadth subject per semester. You can do 2/2 if there's a particular subject you want and then do 4/0 next semester to make up for it

can you?? thats awesome lol thanks :D
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Gloamglozer on January 14, 2011, 06:37:56 pm
Generally they stay the same but changes can occur. Don't count on it though. That said, do bear in mind that you're not obligated to do 3 core/1 breadth subject per semester. You can do 2/2 if there's a particular subject you want and then do 4/0 next semester to make up for it

can you?? thats awesome lol thanks :D

Yep.  Or you can do 1 breadth throughout the whole year and do one in summer to make up for it.  Or you can do what I'm doing now and do one in summer despite doing 2 breadth last year.  Why?  So I can be ahead.  :)
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: saaaaaam on January 14, 2011, 06:43:29 pm
Has anyone done any management subjects? How did you find those?
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: peepers on January 14, 2011, 07:10:52 pm
Music Psychology is my fave breadth subject.

Easy to get good marks in :)
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: mikee65 on January 14, 2011, 08:34:43 pm
What degree are you planning to do? If it's arts, you'll have to do the uni breadth ones and they're generally not that one dimensional
Russ what do you mean by, and I remember from some other post aswell, you sometimes refer to some breadth by there names ie wine tasting, music psych and then 'one uni breadth', is there some difference, or you have no idea what im talking about?
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Russ on January 14, 2011, 08:42:50 pm
Uni breadth are subjects that were created with the sole purpose of being multidisciplinary subjects available to everyone as breadth (ie for the melbourne model)
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: mikee65 on January 14, 2011, 09:07:38 pm
Uni breadth are subjects that were created with the sole purpose of being multidisciplinary subjects available to everyone as breadth (ie for the Melbourne model)
I see, and they are considered harder, got any examples?
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: vexx on January 14, 2011, 09:11:27 pm
I've heard that psychology is fairly easy to do well considering the majority of the assessment lies in a multi-choice exam.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: mikee65 on January 14, 2011, 09:17:19 pm
Yea Im planning to do this one, looks interesting https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2011/PSYC30014
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: dyaner on January 14, 2011, 09:27:54 pm
I'm thinking of doing Modern South-East Asia, a history breadth. Is this familiar to anyone? I liked history in Year 10, didn't study any in VCE so I kind of liked to take it up again in uni. Any opinions? :)
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: vexx on January 14, 2011, 09:33:52 pm
Yea Im planning to do this one, looks interesting https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2011/PSYC30014

oh wow, that does look very interesting! i think i'll look into it, probs after i've done some lower level psych subjects.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: mikee65 on January 14, 2011, 10:06:26 pm
Yea Im planning to do this one, looks interesting https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2011/PSYC30014

oh wow, that does look very interesting! i think i'll look into it, probs after i've done some lower level psych subjects.
the lower leveled ones aren't as appealing imo :P
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: QuantumJG on January 14, 2011, 10:23:17 pm
Business Finance. It's so cool that I'm considering doing probability this year!
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: rustic_metal on January 14, 2011, 11:55:22 pm
Yea Im planning to do this one, looks interesting https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2011/PSYC30014

oh wow, that does look very interesting! i think i'll look into it, probs after i've done some lower level psych subjects.
the lower leveled ones aren't as appealing imo :P

You'll most likely need to have done the lower level ones to have any chance of doing well in that. Remember that all of your peers will have done two years of psychology and will be applying their previous knowledge from that, not to mention their experimental techniques to it and the subjects coordinators will have designed the subject around that.

"Recommended Background Knowledge:   
Prior coursework in at least two Level 2 psychology subjects is recommended. Level 2 psychology subjects are: Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Personality & Social Psychology"
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: rustic_metal on January 14, 2011, 11:56:16 pm
Easy breadth for a Commerce major? Engineering systems design 1. Seriously.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: mikee65 on January 15, 2011, 12:19:31 am
Yea Im planning to do this one, looks interesting https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2011/PSYC30014

oh wow, that does look very interesting! i think i'll look into it, probs after i've done some lower level psych subjects.
the lower leveled ones aren't as appealing imo :P

You'll most likely need to have done the lower level ones to have any chance of doing well in that. Remember that all of your peers will have done two years of psychology and will be applying their previous knowledge from that, not to mention their experimental techniques to it and the subjects coordinators will have designed the subject around that.

"Recommended Background Knowledge:   
Prior coursework in at least two Level 2 psychology subjects is recommended. Level 2 psychology subjects are: Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Personality & Social Psychology"
Could you please elaborate on 'experimental knowledge'?
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: rustic_metal on January 15, 2011, 12:21:45 am
Yea Im planning to do this one, looks interesting https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2011/PSYC30014

oh wow, that does look very interesting! i think i'll look into it, probs after i've done some lower level psych subjects.
the lower leveled ones aren't as appealing imo :P

You'll most likely need to have done the lower level ones to have any chance of doing well in that. Remember that all of your peers will have done two years of psychology and will be applying their previous knowledge from that, not to mention their experimental techniques to it and the subjects coordinators will have designed the subject around that.

"Recommended Background Knowledge:   
Prior coursework in at least two Level 2 psychology subjects is recommended. Level 2 psychology subjects are: Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Personality & Social Psychology"
Could you please elaborate on 'experimental knowledge'?

Knowledge of how to do experiments well and of results from previous experiments.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: mikee65 on January 15, 2011, 12:27:53 am
Yea Im planning to do this one, looks interesting https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2011/PSYC30014

oh wow, that does look very interesting! i think i'll look into it, probs after i've done some lower level psych subjects.
the lower leveled ones aren't as appealing imo :P

You'll most likely need to have done the lower level ones to have any chance of doing well in that. Remember that all of your peers will have done two years of psychology and will be applying their previous knowledge from that, not to mention their experimental techniques to it and the subjects coordinators will have designed the subject around that.

"Recommended Background Knowledge:   
Prior coursework in at least two Level 2 psychology subjects is recommended. Level 2 psychology subjects are: Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Personality & Social Psychology"
Could you please elaborate on 'experimental knowledge'?

Knowledge of how to do experiments well and of results from previous experiments.
Result compilation doesnt seem too difficult
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: rustic_metal on January 15, 2011, 01:00:22 am
*Shrugs* Your funeral.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: mikee65 on January 15, 2011, 11:41:35 am
*Shrugs* Your funeral.
Have you done the course?
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: vexx on January 15, 2011, 12:02:45 pm
Yea Im planning to do this one, looks interesting https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2011/PSYC30014

oh wow, that does look very interesting! i think i'll look into it, probs after i've done some lower level psych subjects.
the lower leveled ones aren't as appealing imo :P

Nah i agree, but wouldn't do the third level course without having done at least first year!
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Russ on January 15, 2011, 12:09:28 pm
It's so much more than result compilation. Taking a third year subject with no previous experience (VCE psych does not count at all) is essentially suicide. Don't jump two years like that, you'll regret it.

It's also not breadth for BSc students.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: iNerd on January 15, 2011, 12:48:52 pm
Quote
This subject covers phenomena such as hallucinations and delusions, anxiety, somatisation, depression, dissociation, and changes in memory and cognition, and places them in the context of everyday experience

Sounds related to AOS2: Mental Health, Unit 4 of the new Psych design? Either way it sounds pretty fascinating ;)
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Russ on January 15, 2011, 01:00:14 pm
Trust me on this one, VCE psych will give you minimal preparation for ot
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: iNerd on January 15, 2011, 01:04:27 pm
Trust me on this one, VCE psych will give you minimal preparation for ot
I know, I'm not opposing your statement, I was merely pointing out that the old study design was 0% related to this subject but the new study design has some correlation. In fact is it a possibility that they made the new study design more uni-like because there is also a heavier emphasis on Research Methods.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Gloamglozer on January 15, 2011, 04:38:30 pm
I've heard that psychology is fairly easy to do well considering the majority of the assessment lies in a multi-choice exam.

Never underestimate the power of multiple choice.  Having said that though, it is pretty piss easy compared to some other subjects that base their assessment on 80% exam...  *dies*

Business Finance. It's so cool that I'm considering doing probability this year!

That's why I'm planning to do them concurrently this year!  :D
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: vexx on January 15, 2011, 04:57:41 pm
I've heard that psychology is fairly easy to do well considering the majority of the assessment lies in a multi-choice exam.

Never underestimate the power of multiple choice.  Having said that though, it is pretty piss easy compared to some other subjects that base their assessment on 80% exam...  *dies*

Yeah I know, but considering I'm actually going to work on the subject and know my stuff before the exam, multichoice will be fine :)
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Gloamglozer on January 15, 2011, 05:10:15 pm
I've heard that psychology is fairly easy to do well considering the majority of the assessment lies in a multi-choice exam.

Never underestimate the power of multiple choice.  Having said that though, it is pretty piss easy compared to some other subjects that base their assessment on 80% exam...  *dies*

Yeah I know, but considering I'm actually going to work on the subject and know my stuff before the exam, multichoice will be fine :)

Yeah, you should.  But in first semester, it's painful.  Especially for Simon's section, even though he gives you the questions.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: rustic_metal on January 15, 2011, 05:24:56 pm
*Shrugs* Your funeral.
Have you done the course?

No, but doing a third year subject without having done a single relevant first or second year subject reeks of 'Because I can' arrogance. I could have taken Complex Analysis (a final year maths subject) in the first semester of my first year, but that would have been completely ridiculous and I'd be laughed out of the exam I'd just spectacularly failed for thinking I could keep up with the big kids.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: vexx on January 15, 2011, 05:30:00 pm
I've heard that psychology is fairly easy to do well considering the majority of the assessment lies in a multi-choice exam.

Never underestimate the power of multiple choice.  Having said that though, it is pretty piss easy compared to some other subjects that base their assessment on 80% exam...  *dies*

Yeah I know, but considering I'm actually going to work on the subject and know my stuff before the exam, multichoice will be fine :)

Yeah, you should.  But in first semester, it's painful.  Especially for Simon's section, even though he gives you the questions.

why painful? what do you mean "simon's section" - as in a person or a topic studied in the course? haha
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Russ on January 15, 2011, 05:39:52 pm
At a guess, there's a lecturer called simon and the lectures he gives are a pain.

Psych is easy to stuff up from what I've heard, some of it is kinda finicky.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Gloamglozer on January 15, 2011, 06:36:46 pm
At a guess, there's a lecturer called simon and the lectures he gives are a pain.

Psych is easy to stuff up from what I've heard, some of it is kinda finicky.

Yes, Simon is like the first year psych coordinator for Mind, Brain & Bahaviour (MBB) if I remember correctly and he only lectures in MBB1.  He says that he will give you the exam questions and everyone reckons it's going to be easy because he gives you the questions.  But think again.  His lecture slides contain no information at all and to survive, you'll need to manually take a crapload of notes to make sure you cover your backside.  Also, listening to all his lectures on Lectopia during Swotvac is not fun, especially if you're sleepy.  So don't get too happy and relax when Simon tells you joyfully that he'll give you the exam questions.

Psych is a subject where you can screw up easily.  Overall, the content is easy but the questions is what will trip you over and separate the H1s and Ps.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Russ on January 15, 2011, 06:39:06 pm
In general, subjects with take home exams, open book exams or a "this is the exam" lecturer are harder to do well in than standard exams because there's a much higher expectation
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Gloamglozer on January 15, 2011, 06:48:47 pm
In general, subjects with take home exams, open book exams or a "this is the exam" lecturer are harder to do well in than standard exams because there's a much higher expectation

And jaffies fall for the mentality that it will be easy.  Trying not to be cynical but for a psychology subject, that's probably the mentality they're trying to create.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: vexx on January 15, 2011, 06:55:34 pm
^thanks for the heads up. if i end up doing psych i'll keep this all in mind.
since i've already done a uni subject, i have a somewhat more evidential mentality that it will be easy ;)
nah i dont think it will be that easy, but i know what to expect and what to do to (hopefully) ensure I get HD+
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: mikee65 on January 15, 2011, 08:47:21 pm
*Shrugs* Your funeral.
Have you done the course?

No, but doing a third year subject without having done a single relevant first or second year subject reeks of 'Because I can' arrogance. I could have taken Complex Analysis (a final year maths subject) in the first semester of my first year, but that would have been completely ridiculous and I'd be laughed out of the exam I'd just spectacularly failed for thinking I could keep up with the big kids.
If the course is doable without prior experience, looks appealing to me, I wouldn't be restrained from taking it simply because other students perceive me as an arrogant 'jaffy'. But alas apparently tis not the case and im just ignorant.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: rustic_metal on January 15, 2011, 09:11:05 pm
*Shrugs* Your funeral.
Have you done the course?

No, but doing a third year subject without having done a single relevant first or second year subject reeks of 'Because I can' arrogance. I could have taken Complex Analysis (a final year maths subject) in the first semester of my first year, but that would have been completely ridiculous and I'd be laughed out of the exam I'd just spectacularly failed for thinking I could keep up with the big kids.
If the course is doable without prior experience, looks appealing to me, I wouldn't be restrained from taking it simply because other students perceive me as an arrogant 'jaffy'. But alas apparently tis not the case and im just ignorant.

Go for it, freedom fighter! ;)

Good luck writing a 2500 word, 40% essay having never written a psychology essay before.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: anti on January 16, 2011, 01:56:41 am
Principles of Marketing is quite good.  I'd recommend it if you're curious about commerce but don't want something dry.  Simon is a great lecturer and the assessment is reasonable.

I've also done Logic: Language and Information.  It's a bit of a strange mix of philosophy, linguistics, digital systems and more.  However, if the main concepts click with you then it's quite easy to do well.

Oh, one word of advice when picking breadth.  Make sure you go to the handbook and check out how the subject is assessed.  I know too many people who complain because they didn't expect to have to write long essays or do exams for their breadth subjects when they could have avoided it.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: mikee65 on January 16, 2011, 08:21:52 pm
*Shrugs* Your funeral.
Have you done the course?

No, but doing a third year subject without having done a single relevant first or second year subject reeks of 'Because I can' arrogance. I could have taken Complex Analysis (a final year maths subject) in the first semester of my first year, but that would have been completely ridiculous and I'd be laughed out of the exam I'd just spectacularly failed for thinking I could keep up with the big kids.
If the course is doable without prior experience, looks appealing to me, I wouldn't be restrained from taking it simply because other students perceive me as an arrogant 'jaffy'. But alas apparently tis not the case and im just ignorant.

Go for it, freedom fighter! ;)

Good luck writing a 2500 word, 40% essay having never written a psychology essay before.
lol, maybe it does sound a little melodramatic, refrain would be a better word..
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Whatlol on January 16, 2011, 09:04:14 pm
I was thinking about doing micro and macro economics for breadth subjects. Any comments/ experiences?
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Gloamglozer on January 16, 2011, 09:19:28 pm
I was thinking about doing micro and macro economics for breadth subjects. Any comments/ experiences?

Micro is easy.  Just very basic economics.  Macro, on the other hand, is a tad harder and extends your knowledge from micro.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: schmalex on January 16, 2011, 10:00:12 pm
Very useful subjects though
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: rustic_metal on January 16, 2011, 10:36:11 pm
Yeah, first year economics is generally thought to be incredibly easy. I've heard it's taught well and all, but some people find it very dry. A couple of my mates, on the other hand, absolutely loved it. Maybe pop into the library and have a sticky beak at the textbook? That's generally a pretty reliable way to figure out if a subject is worth doing.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: mikee65 on January 16, 2011, 11:09:41 pm
Yeah, first year economics is generally thought to be incredibly easy. I've heard it's taught well and all, but some people find it very dry. A couple of my mates, on the other hand, absolutely loved it. Maybe pop into the library and have a sticky beak at the textbook? That's generally a pretty reliable way to figure out if a subject is worth doing.
Micro economics?
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: rustic_metal on January 16, 2011, 11:29:37 pm
What?
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Gloamglozer on January 16, 2011, 11:30:58 pm
Yeah, first year economics is generally thought to be incredibly easy. I've heard it's taught well and all, but some people find it very dry. A couple of my mates, on the other hand, absolutely loved it. Maybe pop into the library and have a sticky beak at the textbook? That's generally a pretty reliable way to figure out if a subject is worth doing.
Micro economics?

Introductory Microeconomics.

Loved that subject when I did it in first semester.  I swear it wasn't strongly correlated to the amount of hot chicks in my tute...
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: mikee65 on January 16, 2011, 11:43:28 pm
What?
Is that the economics who were referring to?
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: rustic_metal on January 16, 2011, 11:46:00 pm
I was referring to all of first year economics.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Gloamglozer on January 16, 2011, 11:46:40 pm
What?
Is that the economics who were referring to?

He was referring to first year economics, which comprises of Introductory Microeconomics and Introductory Macroeconomics.

EDIT:  Beaten.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: aw123 on January 16, 2011, 11:52:07 pm
Would breadth subjects relating to law be quite full on?
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: rustic_metal on January 17, 2011, 12:08:48 am
Law's actually fairly easy at undergraduate level, from what I've heard. I know that at least one of the exams are multiple choice and open book, but most likely all of them are. Most of the workload will come from the obscene amount of reading you'll have to do, rather than from any conceptual difficulty.
Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Whatlol on January 17, 2011, 01:34:44 pm
Yeah, first year economics is generally thought to be incredibly easy. I've heard it's taught well and all, but some people find it very dry. A couple of my mates, on the other hand, absolutely loved it. Maybe pop into the library and have a sticky beak at the textbook? That's generally a pretty reliable way to figure out if a subject is worth doing.

Ok thanks ill Take a look at one of the text books. I think the more advanced economics looks pretty interesting .

Has anyone continued doing economics for breadth up to third year level? Does maths start playing a more important role in 2nd year or 3rd year? or is that only for like other economics subjects?

Title: Re: Best Breadth Subjects
Post by: Russ on January 17, 2011, 01:42:49 pm
Maths starts playing a bigger role yes, I had to tutor an arts friend on intermediate macro (iirc) because she had no idea about chain rule/quotient rule any more.