Biomed or Science @ Melbourne

[SuperCell.27]

Hey guys,

As results are coming out in a few days, i'm in the process of making some last minute adjustments. I'm fairly confident i can make it into either course - I have long thought biomed was my go-to course, but now I'm starting to have second thoughts.

After reading the forum about differences, pros and cons between the two, biomed doesn't seem to be more preferable than bsc, apart from being in a high achiever cohort, and having a nice tight-knit community. Yet outcome wise, both courses are able to allow students to make it into post-grad health sciences.

The thing is, I'm really interested in the biological/chem field of health sciences, particularly human bio. But botany from bsc or maths from biomed isnt exactly my cup of tea, however, i don't mind it.

Can you guys weigh in on your experiences and on which course would best tailor my interests?

P.S i am referring to UniMelb only
Much appreciated AN folks, thanks!

[mahler004]

This is probably going to be a perennial argument between science and biomed students. Really, nobody is going to be able to answer the question properly - science students have never done biomed, and biomed students have never done science.

General wisdom is that biomed is better for biology or biomedical subjects - you get a taste of everything in second year (in MCB/HSF.) You get a very broad first year - so you'll be forced to study things you're not interested in (physics and/or maths for most biomeds.) Supposedly, the biology and chemistry subjects are more tailored towards human biology. But really, what you do in first year won't matter in the grand scheme of things (I hardly remember first year.) In science you do some non-'biomed' stuff in your biology - the botany that you mentioned, but this is only 12 lectures out of a first year subject, don't let it sway you. 

In biomed your first and second years are pretty much decided for you - in science you get a bit more flexibility.

Some biomeds complain in third year that their second year subjects don't prepare them well for third year vs science students. Biomeds only do, say 18 lectures of biochemistry in MCB, while science students do 36 lectures. This isn't insurmountable however.

If the above seems a bit unclear - that's because their really is no major difference between someone who does a 'biomed' major in science or biomed. You'll qualify for the same postgrad courses, you can (mostly) do the same majors, and you can do the same Honours.

[Shenz0r]

This question has been asked to death already, but adding to what mahler said:

Some of the core subjects you're forced to do are pretty good, some are notoriously hated (stats, physics, maths, HSF). The ones that are hated are typically dry, boring, or just taught very badly.

When you get to 3rd year half of your subjects will be Science subjects so there's not much difference between the two. You still have 2 core subjects to do for that year though, which are unique and I don't think there are equivalent subjects from Science (unlike the cores in 2nd year).

First year is pretty much a Science degree except you get no choice on what to do. The biology is taught very well and yes you do miss out on the plant stuff but it's not a big deal. The chemistry course tries to sort of cover 2 semesters worth of content in one but it does cut out things to do so. Physics is apparently equally as shit in Science as it is in Biomed.

if you're interested in human bio, I think 2nd year Biomed definitely wins over 2nd year Science because you just learn about so many different areas of human bio.

The cohort is also excellent and it's very easy to communicate and share resources as you're pretty much doing the same subjects for 1st and 2nd year. To be honest it's not cut throat competition but there are definitely many motivated students who are willing to help you out. It might be more difficult to form such a group in Science because there are so many students.

[kaybee94]

Can someone actually write a post for this and sticky it to the thread? 

[Starlight]

science degree:

-Freedom to choose your own subjects; subjects that are in your interest and that you think you can do well in, this can be difficult if you are indecisive.

-Larger cohort, potentially more difficult to make friends

-Similar and often the same subject that can be found in BBmed

biomed degree:

-For a major part of the degree, subjects are chosen for you, this might be useful if you are an extremely indecisive person but some students may find it a burden to complete subjects like maths for biomedicine, statistics and physics; which may not even seem relevant to the degree

-Smaller cohort; easier to make friends?

-Probably considered to be more competitive than science; averages in the biomed cohort may be H2A (75+) compared to a science cohort where averages may be H2B/H3 in some instances (reflective of the higher atar requirement)

-Larger focus on the health sciences in some subjects compared to the BSc; biology at first year for instance. In second and 3rd year however, BsC and BBmed become really quite similar, especially in 3rd year; where students in BBmed have more freedom in choosing their subjects. In 2nd and 3rd year students in BBmed will enrol in subjects that are also included in the BSc.

It sounds like you could equally adapt to both courses. Take a look at the university of melbourne handbook for the different subjects compulsory/offered in biomed vs science.