UoM General Chat

[Ruffini]

Thanks for these replies. One more question: how exactly are the bio pracs assessed? Like, do we fill out the lab manual and then submit our answers, or is there some other piece of work that we get during the prac that forms the assessed portion?

[SuperCell.27]

First year bio pracs consist of pre-prac questions, 'inprac' questions and post-prac questions. You only have 1 attempt at all of them. For the inprac questions, held usually during the last 15 minutes of the prac (or for some dissections, sometimes in the middle) they'll show 3-4 questions on the overhead TVs which may be MCQ or short answer, and generally you write the answers on the back of your slip that has your name, demonstrator, prac # etc.. IIRC each prac overall is worth 10 marks, 1 for pre prac, 4 for in prac, 5 post prac?! I don't rmb anymore tbh

[Ruffini]

For the inprac questions, held usually during the last 15 minutes of the prac (or for some dissections, sometimes in the middle) they'll show 3-4 questions on the overhead TVs which may be MCQ or short answer, and generally you write the answers on the back of your slip ...

Thank you so much, this is exactly what I wanted to know. :-)

Are the questions difficult/tricky?

[Shenz0r]

Ahh some of my friends who did MCB last year told me about these struggles! MCB according to them was the hardest subject they did in their entire degrees (yea harder than third year!), so hang in there it does get better. Next sem with HSF will be much easier apparently, MCB is the killer!

Hmm...debateable. MCB is hard but it "feels" more difficult as it's the first time you do a double subject. But I would argue that it is harder to do well in M2M because you had to memorise a lot more detail than you needed to in MCB.

3 weeks in and MCB has totally knocked me off my feet. All this rote-learning of amino acids, nucleic acids and every step of glycolysis is so  suffocating

Take solace knowing that after MCB you literally do not need to know this shit for another 2+ years lol

[cosine]

when is the pre-prac test for bio due?

[Yacoubb]

So glad for mid-semester break! At least it'll be a good time to catch up with everything that GAMSAT prep has kind of set me back on. How's everyone doing with uni? Hope all is well

[Rod]

when is the pre-prac test for bio due?

Pretty much before you begin your practical.

[Rod]

Thanks for these replies. One more question: how exactly are the bio pracs assessed? Like, do we fill out the lab manual and then submit our answers, or is there some other piece of work that we get during the prac that forms the assessed portion?

So it's made up of 10 marks
1/10 - At least 8/10 in the quiz
4/10 - Post prac test (you will do a test after the practical at home, that is open for about one day, it will be out of 8 marks)
5/10 - In class assessment. This consists of several things. For example a demonstrator looking at your microscope preparation, in class quizzes, dissections etc.

And as for difficulty, if you're on top of the relevant lecture content, have read through the practical before hand, pretty much understand what you need to do and all - what the objectives of the prac are - you should be fine . A lot of the practicals, especially for biology in first year were really fun!

[Whynot123]

Anyone who did PHRM30009 last year shoot me a PM please.

[Mieow]

Ahh some of my friends who did MCB last year told me about these struggles! MCB according to them was the hardest subject they did in their entire degrees (yea harder than third year!), so hang in there it does get better. Next sem with HSF will be much easier apparently, MCB is the killer!

Thanks Rod <3 If I can survive Chem For Biomed I'm sure I can survive everything else 

~ Sending out positive vibes to everyone sitting the dreaded G word this Saturday ~
Best of luck to us all and I hope things go well for everyone

[Yacoubb]

~ Sending out positive vibes to everyone sitting the dreaded G word this Saturday ~
Best of luck to us all and I hope things go well for everyone

Thanks and good luck! Just hope it all goes well for us all and we get what we all want!!

[Rod]

Thanks Rod <3 If I can survive Chem For Biomed I'm sure I can survive everything else 

~ Sending out positive vibes to everyone sitting the dreaded G word this Saturday ~
Best of luck to us all and I hope things go well for everyone

No worries! Best of luck for MCB, I'm sure you will smash it!

I'll be sitting the G as well! Best of luck to you too!

[cosine]

Oh wow firstly, good luck on the G this weekend guys, I really hope you all do really well on it and get a result that will make you happy.

Can I ask why its so early in the year, and when do your results come out? Also, if you get a score well enough to do your post grad course, you still have to wait until next year to start it, right?

[Shenz0r]

Oh wow firstly, good luck on the G this weekend guys, I really hope you all do really well on it and get a result that will make you happy.

Can I ask why its so early in the year, and when do your results come out? Also, if you get a score well enough to do your post grad course, you still have to wait until next year to start it, right?

Scores come out in May, and generally you need to have finalised your med application by June.

You have to wait until you complete your undergrad degree to start postgrad, so they would have to wait until 2018 to start their degree.

[Ruffini]

And as for difficulty, if you're on top of the relevant lecture content, have read through the practical before hand, pretty much understand what you need to do and all - what the objectives of the prac are - you should be fine . A lot of the practicals, especially for biology in first year were really fun!

Thanks rod, that's great to hear! I'm feeling much better about the prac now. :-)