Biomedder's, which would you say takes more time: BIOM30001 or BIOM30002? I'm trying to decide in which sem I should take 3 subjects, and would prefer to have a lighter workload in the sem with the harder core.
Also, has anyone done any one of the following majors: neuroscience, immunology or physiology. Could you provide a general overview of what you focus on in those majors, and how well subjects were taught and structured? I didn't realize how difficult it would be to pick a major haha but I've narrowed it down to three. Thanks!
It's a tough one, actually, in terms of saying whether BIOM30002 or BIOM30001 takes more time. Firstly, both subjects are relatively easy to pass and hard to do well in (in my recollection of the statistics these two subjects have the lowest percentage of H1s of any of the core biology subjects in the degree). BIOM30002 is pretty much just lectures only (although in some weeks you will have four lectures rather than three). The only assessment during the semester are two multiple choice mid-semester tests, with the final exam being both multiple choice and short answer and 3 hours in duration. BIOM30001 is quite different. If we're just talking about the lectures here, it's easier because there's always only three a week and in this subject you're not supposed to take in all the minute details. However, there are also tutorials and the practical, and a heap of assignment work (there are 4-5 tasks you'll have to work on throughout the semester - it seems like there's always an assignment to do in BIOM30001). I found the assignments demanding and difficult and didn't do as well on some of them as I would've liked. The mid-semester test they introduced this semester was really helpful in understanding what was required for the 2 hour written exam but I also didn't do as well in it as I would've liked. Overall, it depends on what kind of student you are. I'm someone who prefers to learn lecture content and show my understanding through tests and exams (preferably multiple choice, although I have to say short answer is growing on me given all my exams this semester were largely short answer), so for me I felt BIOM30001 was more time consuming. If you find it more difficult to get your head around concepts though, BIOM30002 will be harder and more time consuming.
I also did the neuroscience major, which feeds into my learning style given almost all the subjects are lectures only and assessed only by tests and exams (NEUR30004 had three self-paced workshops which weren't a problem at all, and one small assignment which I knocked out in a couple of hours). Additionally, there is a reasonable degree of multiple choice questions and a focus on understanding rather than rote-learning. Some of the content is really abstract, which can be polarising for some students - but I enjoyed it. In terms of structure and co-ordination/teaching, nothing really going to beat anything run by the department of microbiology and immunology but I thought it was good enough. If you can wait a week or two (not sure if the scheduling will permit this) I'll get around to writing all my subject reviews this semester as well as a review for my major.
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