UoM General Chat

[kandinsky]

Some lecturers won't have a problem if you rock up to the class without enrolling, if that's what you mean.

I asked about doing a course that's not offered by my department for Honours (a chemistry course, I'll be doing biochemistry honours.) This is apparently possible on a case-by-case basis, but isn't really a common thing. I'd just contact the coordinator of the course in question. It would probably have to be a graduate/Honours level course (9xxxx or 4xxxx course code,) to qualify.

Thanks! I know PhD students can rock up to certain classes (even undergraduate) but wasn't sure about Honours. As you say, it'd be best to make sure the coordinator is ok with it before turning up. I think the subject would have to be relevant, too. I don't think they'd allow someone doing Honours in Philosophy to go to Biomed subjects!

[brightsky]

Thanks! I know PhD students can rock up to certain classes (even undergraduate) but wasn't sure about Honours. As you say, it'd be best to make sure the coordinator is ok with it before turning up. I think the subject would have to be relevant, too. I don't think they'd allow someone doing Honours in Philosophy to go to Biomed subjects!

You are always welcome to sit in on Biomed lectures, kandinsky.

[Shenz0r]

Two selectives with HSF is a manageable workload (I was able to do well with Pharm and Microbes with some time to relax each night), with UROP it might be pushing it though since you have to spend like 8h a week committing to it during the semester.

MCB is taught a lot better than HSF and is all recall, so I found it a lot easier to do well in. The phys component of HSF is pretty gruelling because it tests your application and some of it is taught pretty poorly.

[brightsky]

Does anyone know when UROP applications open, and whether the program runs for the entire year or just for one sem?

[Pup]

For people who've done HSF for biomed, what are your thoughts on doing HSF with two selectives (Engineering Maths + Microbes) and hopefully UROP too? I know it'll be a lot of work whatever I do but just wondering if this would be way too overwhelming. It seems like people tend to find MCB more difficult but tbh I'm less interested in anatomy than molecular biol so I'm concerned about running out of motivation too

As someone who has done both HSF and Engineering Maths (I did eng maths with MCB), I would say it would be a harder to juggle HSF, Eng Maths + Microbes than HSF with two MDHS subjects (e.g. Pharm & Microbes). It does depend on what type of learner you are. Microbes and Pharm require a fair bit of rote learning, which you could cram during swot-vac and do decently well in. Engineering Maths, however is a different, to do well in it, you need to do constant practise weekly and prepare well for the exam to do well in the subject. I find that you can't cram for it and expect to do well. Any engineering subjects does take a fair bit of your time, and can lessen the time you can invest in studying to do well in MCB and HSF.….. But that's my opinion

[Whynot123]

Taking HSF + Pharm & Microbes- would that be equivalent to taking 4 science subjects (Phys, Anat, Pharm, Microbes) ?

[ChickenCh0wM1en]

Taking HSF + Pharm & Microbes- would that be equivalent to taking 4 science subjects (Phys, Anat, Pharm, Microbes) ?

Pretty much. There is some overlap between HSF/Pharm though!

[hobbitle]

Does anyone know when UROP applications open, and whether the program runs for the entire year or just for one sem?

From memory they will open about March and close in April.
Your placement runs from when you are accepted until the end of your undergrad.

[Shenz0r]

As someone who has done both HSF and Engineering Maths (I did eng maths with MCB), I would say it would be a harder to juggle HSF, Eng Maths + Microbes than HSF with two MDHS subjects (e.g. Pharm & Microbes). It does depend on what type of learner you are. Microbes and Pharm require a fair bit of rote learning, which you could cram during swot-vac and do decently well in. Engineering Maths, however is a different, to do well in it, you need to do constant practise weekly and prepare well for the exam to do well in the subject. I find that you can't cram for it and expect to do well. Any engineering subjects does take a fair bit of your time, and can lessen the time you can invest in studying to do well in MCB and HSF.….. But that's my opinion

Agreed. If you're a good rote learner then you'll find it easier (MCB is a good test for seeing how good your rote learning is). I was able to summarise and revise pretty consistently throughout the semester though since I watched all my lectures at home and saved a great deal of time. HSF, microbes and pharm are very good to lectopia, not sure about Eng.

[rery]

Your placement runs from when you are accepted until the end of your undergrad.

Is this true for second year students applying in March/April? The UROP site says most projects are 6-12 months.

Cheers

[hobbitle]

Is this true for second year students applying in March/April? The UROP site says most projects are 6-12 months.

Cheers

That's because most people only get accepted in the summer between 2nd/3rd year (so the placement will be 12 months) or in the winter of Third year (so 6 months). If you get accepted the first time you apply, and you apply the first chance possible (for Winter of 2nd year) your placement will be for 18 months.

It is relatively rare for someone to be accepted in their first attempt though (although it does happen).

[brightsky]

From memory they will open about March and close in April.
Your placement runs from when you are accepted until the end of your undergrad.

That's because most people only get accepted in the summer between 2nd/3rd year (so the placement will be 12 months) or in the winter of Third year (so 6 months). If you get accepted the first time you apply, and you apply the first chance possible (for Winter of 2nd year) your placement will be for 18 months.

It is relatively rare for someone to be accepted in their first attempt though (although it does happen).

Thanks hobbitle! Is there any reason why applicants are usually unsuccessful on their first attempt? I know of a couple of people who are quite strong academically but still got rejected, so I am under the impression that rejections are, in general, not due to grades...

[ChickenCh0wM1en]

Thanks hobbitle! Is there any reason why applicants are usually unsuccessful on their first attempt? I know of a couple of people who are quite strong academically but still got rejected, so I am under the impression that rejections are, in general, not due to grades...

Like any sort of job/work position, grades can only get you so far. I would assume that a significant proportion of the successful applicants would have demonstrated their passion and desire to work and commit in a rather stressful environment while also balancing other aspects of life (academics, social etc).

[Stick]

Agreed. If you're a good rote learner then you'll find it easier (MCB is a good test for seeing how good your rote learning is). I was able to summarise and revise pretty consistently throughout the semester though since I watched all my lectures at home and saved a great deal of time. HSF, microbes and pharm are very good to lectopia, not sure about Eng.

Ugh, I was actually looking forward to MCB until you said this - it's most likely going to determine my major. I really despise mindless rote-learning. =_=

[Turtle]

Ugh, I was actually looking forward to MCB until you said this - it's most likely going to determine my major. I really despise mindless rote-learning. =_=

You aren't going to like some of the health science subjects such as anatomy (extra emphasis on this haha) or physiology then