UoM General Chat

[Starlight]

^ definitely anatomy. I'd say physiology is mainly about understanding and answering as many practice questions as possible.

[Shenz0r]

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. =_=

Problem is that most of 2nd year will be rote learning whether you like it or not. Anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, pathology, cell biology, pharmacology, genetics (in MCB at least, not GENE20001) all of them demand you to memorise all the small detail. Physiology has less emphasis on  rote-learning and more on application, but I still found myself rote-learning a hell of a lot from the pre-reading before the exam.

I think that out of all the selective subjects I did this year it was Microbes that needed the most amount of memorisation by far...you'll investigate pathogens that cause gastroenteritis and you need to know stuff like symptoms, how long it takes for symptoms to appear, whether its acid-resistant or stable, what toxin might be produced, the whole process of pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis, how to treat it, what animals or sources it might come from...etc. But don't let it put you off because if you're interested it's quite easy to memorise

[Stick]

Haha I knew anatomy would involve rote learning! I intend to stay well clear of this as a major.

My favourite aspects of Biology are the parts where you're required to understand and explain a complicated process or concept, or look at a problem and apply your knowledge to try and work it out. In these cases I rarely feel the need to sit there and rote learn the relevant content; it just seems to stick and make sense. Of course, there's going to be some rote-learning - it's Biology we're talking about here - but I don't particularly enjoy it when that's the only thing you do in a particular subject.

[Shenz0r]

In immunology, pathology and cell biology you'll have to explain some complicated processes (such as MHC presentation, hypersensitivity reactions and trafficking proteins etc throughout the cell). Actually a lot of the topics in MCB involve around explaining entire concepts. And it's good because if you have to apply and integrate your knowledge, particularly when relating things to cancer.

For some reason most people in our cohort are still picking Anatomy for their major. Sigh I cannot understand why.

[Russ]

If you don't like rote learning then that rules out most of the biomedical majors tbh (also medicine, amusingly enough).
Most people just grit their teeth and deal with it as a temporary annoyance

[Stick]

In immunology, pathology and cell biology you'll have to explain some complicated processes (such as MHC presentation, hypersensitivity reactions and trafficking proteins etc throughout the cell). Actually a lot of the topics in MCB involve around explaining entire concepts. And it's good because if you have to apply and integrate your knowledge, particularly when relating things to cancer.

For some reason most people in our cohort are still picking Anatomy for their major. Sigh I cannot understand why.

This is exactly what I am interested in. MCB sounds like it has everything I want to pursue in Biology. Hopefully the mindless rote learning won't be too excessive and that I'll enjoy it so much a lot of it will stick anyway.

[Whynot123]

This is exactly what I am interested in. MCB sounds like it has everything I want to pursue in Biology. Hopefully the mindless rote learning won't be too excessive and that I'll enjoy it so much a lot of it will stick anyway.

Staying loyal to the name.

[Stick]

Lol, someone did that just recently. XD

[LOLs99]

Anyone doing ELEN20005 Foundation of Electrical Network during the summer that couldn't select the classes for Workshop 1?

[hobbitle]

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...

Maturity, comprehensiveness of science knowledge, passion, commitment, placements available, the fact that there might be people interviewing for the third time who would get priority, etc.

[mahler004]

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).

UROP projects nearly always run for twelve months, but it's not too uncommon for your placement to be extended for another six months if you're fitting in well with the group, if you've still got more time in your degree. Most people I know first applied at the end of second year - it's possible to apply as early as the end of first year, but it's difficult to get in that early. I know quite a few people who got in their first time (I'm one of them,) I know quite a few people who applied three times and didn't get in.

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...

On top of what hobbitle said, they're looking for people who are actually looking at research/science. Read: Looking to avoid people who just want to put it on their CV for med school.

It's possible for people to get in with averages as 'low' as a H2A.

[hobbitle]

UROP projects nearly always run for twelve months, but it's not too uncommon for your placement to be extended for another six months if you're fitting in well with the group, if you've still got more time in your degree. Most people I know first applied at the end of second year - it's possible to apply as early as the end of first year, but it's difficult to get in that early. I know quite a few people who got in their first time (I'm one of them,) I know quite a few people who applied three times and didn't get in.


On top of what hobbitle said, they're looking for people who are actually looking at research/science. Read: Looking to avoid people who just want to put it on their CV for med school.

It's possible for people to get in with averages as 'low' as a H2A.

I don't know when you applied but the latest info on the website etc is that the earliest you can apply is the April/May of your second year (to start in Winter). I know some students apply in Sept of first year but they probably wouldn't even get to the interview process.

And to the OP, yeah a H2A average is certainly possible for UROP, the only thing that's required is that you maintain whatever average you were accepted with.

[mahler004]

I don't know when you applied but the latest info on the website etc is that the earliest you can apply is the April/May of your second year (to start in Winter). I know some students apply in Sept of first year but they probably wouldn't even get to the interview process.

And to the OP, yeah a H2A average is certainly possible for UROP, the only thing that's required is that you maintain whatever average you were accepted with.

It used to be you needed to have completed a full year of your degree by the time you started - so you could apply at the end of first year and start in the summer (after you'd completed your first year.) You're right - I don't know of anyone who's gotten in this way.

[Turtle]

In immunology, pathology and cell biology you'll have to explain some complicated processes (such as MHC presentation, hypersensitivity reactions and trafficking proteins etc throughout the cell). Actually a lot of the topics in MCB involve around explaining entire concepts. And it's good because if you have to apply and integrate your knowledge, particularly when relating things to cancer.

For some reason most people in our cohort are still picking Anatomy for their major. Sigh I cannot understand why.

I chose it because I actually like anatomy!! and I am good at memorising a lot of info 

[litaluta]

I love memorising, but I think I will major in cell biology. I guess if the marks are high, like mostly H1, no matter what major u have u will get into med or watev u want. But for example my marks are mostly h2b, so I should choose a major that at least lands me on a small job in case I did not get into any kind of master degree : )