ATAR Notes: Forum

Uni Stuff => Universities - Victoria => University of Melbourne => Topic started by: simpak on February 18, 2011, 11:42:56 pm

Title: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: simpak on February 18, 2011, 11:42:56 pm
(y)
So I'm one of those particular people who doesn't like waiting until two weeks into semester to figure out what stuff I 'actually' need to buy.  I like to be totally prepared!  Otherwise I feel too disorganised and end up on the edge of a nervous breakdown.  Lucky I have you guys to tell me what I should and should not be buying with regard to textbooks this year.  And what I can/cannot buy or should/should not buy secondhand...

So I'm doing Biol, Chem 1 and Physics Fundamentals.
'Prescribed' basically looks like:

Biology: Biology: An Australian Focus + Connect Plus, Biology Microscope Kit : Slides Coverslips and Marker
Chem: Organic Chemistry / Chemical Principles with Web Booklet / Molecular Model Set for Organic Stereochemistry SHRINKWRAP (buy shrinkwrapped or buy in pieces or buy some new and some old or...?)
Physics: College Physics + Student Workbooks Vols 1 & 2 + Mastering Physics Access Kit SHRINKWRAP (buy shrinkwrapped or buy in pieces or buy some new and some old or...?)

And go!  Thanks science people!  And anyone else is welcome to ask others what they should or shouldn't be buying and in what condition to buy it as well.
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Edmund on February 19, 2011, 12:02:29 am
I got all the books you've listed new and it really depends whether you prefer new or secondhand books. The bookshop usually has a few copies of second hand books so you might get lucky :) I found the Biology and Physics book really helpful in explaining sticky concepts and principles.

The chemistry books are good for reference, though not very necessary. If you want to get the chem books, get it shrinkwrapped since it comes with the molymod thing (lego for chemistry!).

For Physics, you can just get the textbook itself. The workbooks are useless and Mastering Physics is hardly used in the course (just online ebook and some quizzes).

For Biology, you need the dissecting kit, but maybe not the slides coverslips. Not sure though, best to wait till first week to find out.

All these books can be used for both semesters in first year and reference for later years, and it's not too hard to sell as long as you've got the latest edition.

EDIT: terrible typing, corrected errors
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: simpak on February 19, 2011, 12:23:34 am
Yay!  Thanks so much, I'll work out what I can buy new with my parents who just adore the idea of my transferring from a degree with 50 dollar textbooks to one with 150 dollar textbooks.
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: rustic_metal on February 19, 2011, 12:26:17 am
Pirate costume.
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: simpak on February 19, 2011, 01:52:42 am
Pirate costume.

Already got that one covered.
Halloween circa 2003.
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: rustic_metal on February 19, 2011, 02:00:34 am
What's 'Respect' and when did this get here?
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: simpak on February 19, 2011, 02:03:32 am
I know I'm so confused WHO RESPECTED ME, I DON'T DESERVE IT.  What happened to karma?  Did it go out when the vote up/down came in?
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: TrueLight on February 19, 2011, 02:36:48 am
haha yes check announcements
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Russ on February 19, 2011, 08:55:27 am
You'll need a labcoat but get it second hand because the uni branded ones are twice the price. The molecular model kit is useless, I don't know anybody who actually found it helpful

I know I'm so confused WHO RESPECTED ME, I DON'T DESERVE IT.  What happened to karma?  Did it go out when the vote up/down came in?

Yeah, reddit bought the site
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Gloamglozer on February 19, 2011, 02:27:19 pm
You'll need a labcoat but get it second hand because the uni branded ones are twice the price. The molecular model kit is useless, I don't know anybody who actually found it helpful

I know I'm so confused WHO RESPECTED ME, I DON'T DESERVE IT.  What happened to karma?  Did it go out when the vote up/down came in?

Yeah, reddit bought the site

The lab coats can be bought from the store in the basement of the Chemistry building.  But they tend to sell out pretty quickly.

I bought the molecular kit and used it a couple of times.  But you could argue that chemistry isn't my favourite cup of tea or my strongest subject so I guess it depends.
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: foley on February 21, 2011, 09:42:07 am
I also have a few questions.

1) What is a subject reader?

2) Do i need them and are they different for each subject?

3) Are the 4 recommended texts for MBB1 necessary to buy?

Thanks
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: simpak on February 21, 2011, 09:45:31 am
A subject reader is a spiral bound book that contains all of your readings for selected weeks, that is, your homework.  You should buy it.  Some are available on the internet for download but not all, and it's just as expensive to print it off yourself so you may as well just get it at the bookshop.  They're different for each subject, because each subject has different coursework ;)

The four recommended texts aren't necessary but you should buy Statistics for Behavioural Sciences and, if you are going to do MBB2 Nick Haslam's book.  If you're not going to do MBB2 or are unsure, don't buy that one.  Don't get Writing for Psychology.  And I just borrowed the other textbook from the RMIT library.  You don't really need to use it until MBB2 anyway.
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Massofbubbles on February 21, 2011, 09:54:11 am
Is the 1st year biomed stats text worth buying?
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Russ on February 21, 2011, 09:59:30 am
Is the 1st year biomed stats text worth buying?

I borrowed it from the library and it sat on my shelf for a semester and I still got an H1

Just buy the notes from the bookshop
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Massofbubbles on February 21, 2011, 10:09:05 am
Is the 1st year biomed stats text worth buying?

I borrowed it from the library and it sat on my shelf for a semester and I still got an H1

Just buy the notes from the bookshop

Cool, thanks Russ.
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: foley on February 21, 2011, 10:27:32 am
A subject reader is a spiral bound book that contains all of your readings for selected weeks, that is, your homework.  You should buy it.  Some are available on the internet for download but not all, and it's just as expensive to print it off yourself so you may as well just get it at the bookshop.  They're different for each subject, because each subject has different coursework ;)

The four recommended texts aren't necessary but you should buy Statistics for Behavioural Sciences and, if you are going to do MBB2 Nick Haslam's book.  If you're not going to do MBB2 or are unsure, don't buy that one.  Don't get Writing for Psychology.  And I just borrowed the other textbook from the RMIT library.  You don't really need to use it until MBB2 anyway.

Thanks :)
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: jasrulz63 on February 22, 2011, 01:00:21 pm
Having completed similar subjects to you last year (Biology, Physics and Chemistry).

Biology: Bought the book in the book room and was definitely useful in my opinion. It was quite easy to sell as well (I sold it for $90). I didn't need to buy a dissection kit last year (may have changed), but we definitely needed slides and coverslips. When we needed dissection kits, we were given ones to use in the labs.
Chemistry: I didn't get the molecular model thing, and for the two textbooks I got ebook versions of them. (Organic Chem ebook I had was current, and the Principles was one edition older, but we were given references for it, and there's really not heaps different)
Physics: The College Physics book was my favourite textbook I used last year, it's really good for descriptions and helping your understanding. I got mine off Bookdepository for $85 (compared to $135 from the Bookshop).
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: foley on February 22, 2011, 06:06:40 pm
A subject reader is a spiral bound book that contains all of your readings for selected weeks, that is, your homework.  You should buy it.  Some are available on the internet for download but not all, and it's just as expensive to print it off yourself so you may as well just get it at the bookshop.  They're different for each subject, because each subject has different coursework ;)

The four recommended texts aren't necessary but you should buy Statistics for Behavioural Sciences and, if you are going to do MBB2 Nick Haslam's book.  If you're not going to do MBB2 or are unsure, don't buy that one.  Don't get Writing for Psychology.  And I just borrowed the other textbook from the RMIT library.  You don't really need to use it until MBB2 anyway.

Thanks :)

Hey. So I just looked at my booklist online, and the texts there are different to the handbook. There are 2 prescribed texts and 5 recommended ones; is this or the handbook more reliable? Also, if the booklist says something is a "special order", how would I get my hands on it?

Cheers
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Russ on February 22, 2011, 07:04:04 pm
Lecturer > Handbook/Booklist

Ask in first week, it's not important that you have them before that
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: foley on February 22, 2011, 07:22:34 pm
Yeah was planning on doing that, just wanted to get an idea of how necessary the textbooks are given the price of some of them :S
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: mankay on February 22, 2011, 07:25:23 pm
Is it worth getting a copy of the biology textbook if you havent done VCE biol (at all)?
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Russ on February 22, 2011, 07:25:54 pm
e, ^^ yes most likely. which reminds me, i need to go resurrect that thread...

Depends on the subjects, post here and someone will advise you
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Blakhitman on February 22, 2011, 07:43:17 pm
Should I get the calc book? does it have many practice questions? or rather would there be a lack of practice questions without it?
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Blakhitman on February 22, 2011, 07:43:49 pm
Should I get the calc book? does it have many practice questions? or rather would there be a lack of practice questions without it?
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Russ on February 22, 2011, 07:59:04 pm
You will have more practice questions than you will do without the book, don't buy it
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Blakhitman on February 22, 2011, 08:02:36 pm
O.k cool thanks
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: mankay on February 22, 2011, 08:09:22 pm
e, ^^ yes most likely. which reminds me, i need to go resurrect that thread...

Depends on the subjects, post here and someone will advise you

Thanks! It seemed like it would be worth having.

-----

if you are going to do MBB2 Nick Haslam's book.  If you're not going to do MBB2 or are unsure, don't buy that one.

What's that? I can't see any mention of that name in the handbook entry.

Also, thoughts on Fundamentals of Psychology?
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Sah123 on February 22, 2011, 10:28:05 pm
is it worth buying any textbooks at all for IDF subjects?
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: simpak on February 23, 2011, 01:45:50 pm
Sah, you'll need to buy the reader at least.

Guys, I could get the biol textbook without the internet code secondhand...do you really need the internet resources (connect plus?)
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Russ on February 23, 2011, 03:23:41 pm
I never used them
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: jasrulz63 on February 23, 2011, 03:42:46 pm
I never used it either, I sold it with the internet code unused.
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: simpak on February 24, 2011, 10:52:09 pm
I just got the secondhand book in the end.
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Blakhitman on March 01, 2011, 11:09:53 am
How long from payment does a book usually arrive from Book depository?
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: enwiabe on March 01, 2011, 11:22:56 am
How long from payment does a book usually arrive from Book depository?

Mine took about 2 weeks last time I ordered
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Russ on March 01, 2011, 11:33:12 am
It varies a lot. I had one arrive in ~6 working days and another that took 20 working days. If you order a textbook from them now, it'll arrive before you really need it.

(someone take my card away from me, I've spent way too much money on that site)
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Blakhitman on March 01, 2011, 12:28:55 pm
Thanks guys, that isn't too bad I guess considering the book I want is so much cheaper than from the uni bookshop (as well as encompass).
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: marr on March 02, 2011, 08:49:54 pm
Ok, not really sure as the lecturer didn't really give us any information but for MBB1 and if I want to continue studying psychology in the future, which of these books should I get?
[IMG]http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/271/psychologybooks.jpg[/img]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: minilunchbox on March 03, 2011, 12:33:18 am
Get Statistics for the Behavioural Sciences.
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: IntoTheNewWorld on March 03, 2011, 08:57:54 am
(someone take my card away from me, I've spent way too much money on that site)

I know yeah goddammit.
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: simpak on March 03, 2011, 12:54:17 pm
Get Stats and then if you want to do MBB2 you might find Eysenck useful (you will find it useful) but you can just get that second semester.
So for the moment, get Stats.
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Sah123 on March 04, 2011, 03:43:34 pm
just wondering - can subject readers for IDF's be sold again after use?
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: marr on March 05, 2011, 06:31:17 pm
Get Stats and then if you want to do MBB2 you might find Eysenck useful (you will find it useful) but you can just get that second semester.
So for the moment, get Stats.

Get Statistics for the Behavioural Sciences.

Thanks to both of you for your help! :)
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Sah123 on March 09, 2011, 10:36:02 pm
Can subject readers be sold again after the semester? Or are new ones created for the subject each year?
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: rustic_metal on March 10, 2011, 06:02:03 pm
Depends on the subject?
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: qshyrn on March 10, 2011, 08:06:04 pm
dunno so ill just put it here:   At the end of the subject, should we sell our txtbooks(e.g chem, biol) or will we need them for reference later on?
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: rustic_metal on March 10, 2011, 08:54:00 pm
You'll know by the end of the subject whether you'll need it or not. I'm keeping my Jap books for obvious reasons, but getting rid of everything else.
Title: Re: the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.
Post by: Sah123 on March 10, 2011, 09:29:21 pm
Subject readers for IDF's for example