A few questions about selectives

[mu-q]

I'm in second year, so do I only take second-year selectives? Or is it like breadth where I can take any year?

Also, if a selective has a pre-requisite that is a subject you will be taking simultaneously with that selective, can you still take it? Or would you have to complete the pre-requisite beforehand?

Thanks!

[sluu001]

Any subject can be taken in any yr provided you have done the pre-requisite subject. Therefore, to answer your question:

- you can do a 1st yr or even a 3rd yr subject im 2nd yr. For example, I will be doing a first ur subject in 3rd yr as it is a core subject that is no use to my major; as such I am going to treat it as a break from the 3rd yr subjects critical to my majors.
- you cannot do a subject if you do not meet the requirement (ie completing pre-requisite subjects) - the basis for this is simple; the subject is taught with the assumption of knowledge learnt in a pre-requisite subject. Without this prior knowledge, chances are you will e completely lost during the semester.

[Emie]

Any subject can be taken in any yr provided you have done the pre-requisite subject. Therefore, to answer your question:

- you can do a 1st yr or even a 3rd yr subject im 2nd yr. For example, I will be doing a first ur subject in 3rd yr as it is a core subject that is no use to my major; as such I am going to treat it as a break from the 3rd yr subjects critical to my majors.
- you cannot do a subject if you do not meet the requirement (ie completing pre-requisite subjects) - the basis for this is simple; the subject is taught with the assumption of knowledge learnt in a pre-requisite subject. Without this prior knowledge, chances are you will e completely lost during the semester.

Does this mean you could be a first year doing a 3rd year subject providing there are no prerequisites? Sounds a little odd

[sluu001]

It wont be a 3rd yr subject if it doesnt have pre-reqs. The term "1st yr/2nd yr/3rd yr subjects" would more appropriately be considered "levels" rather than "yr". A 3rd yr subject usually means it is a lvl 3 subject" because there are at least 2 prerequisite subjects you have to complete in order to enrol in that subject (ie. a lvl 2 subject which in turn has a prerequisite of a 1st yr subject). The reason ppl call it a 3rd yr subject is because it is usually done in 3rd yr
(since you need to do complete 2 prior subjects first - and if they are only offered in 1 semester per yr then you can only do the subject in your 3rd yr).

Also, dont think of uni as a structured regimented process where you go step by step through the course. Unless you are doing a health science course (and even then there is some lee way in when you do certain subjects), the majority of courses allow you to mix and match your way to your major. I myself did 3 level 2 subjects in 1st yr (hence why I have a couple of level 1 subjects to complete) in 1st yr, so that I can finish off one of my 2 majors quickly and leave less stress for my final yr. An added advantge of this is that it gives you more time to concentrate on the tougher 3rd yr subjects as you can spread them out through the course.