Dilemma: Science or Biomed at UoM or a specific Monash course?

[blank]

So for quite a while, I've had biomed at melb uni and science at melb uni at the top of my preference list. But recently, I've heard that because these undergrad courses are general, students arent offered work experience so if I don't get into postgrad then I've just wasted 3 yrs. So ppl are telling me to choose a course at la trobe or monash that is more specialised and if i don't like it, its easy to transfer after 1st semester anyway. At least I will finsih a degree (or masters at la trobe) with some work experience. I am soooooooooooo confused!! I'm still unsure of what I want to do but all i know is I want something to do with health science. Please help! :S Is melb uni worth the risk?

[pi]

If I didn't get into Med anywhere, I had Biomed/Eng@Monash as my next VTAC pref.

Why?

Biomed -> opportunity to get into grad med (UoM, Monash Gippsland etc.)
Eng -> a pathway into a career that I'd also enjoy (I wouldn't enjoy a career in academia/research that a sole Biomed pathway would provide)

[thushan]

There are heaps of health science courses @ UoM for one thing at Masters level. And if you don't get into a course @ UoM postgraduate, you can so easily apply as a non-year 12 applicant for a professional u'grad degree at another uni (say Monash). This would be a good option if you are not sure as to what you want to do.

However, if you are sure you want to say do Prosthetics and Orthotics, then do the u'grad program @ La Trobe, or Radiography @ Monash etc etc

Oh, and the double degree is also a good option.

[jimmy22]

If I didn't get into Med anywhere, I had Biomed/Eng@Monash as my next VTAC pref.

Why?

Biomed -> opportunity to get into grad med (UoM, Monash Gippsland etc.)
Eng -> a pathway into a career that I'd also enjoy (I wouldn't enjoy a career in academia/research that a sole Biomed pathway would provide)

Is there a scholarship for this (double degree with eng) with >98 atar, or is it only for a single engineering degree?
cheers

[pi]

Is there a scholarship for this (double degree with eng) with >98 atar, or is it only for a single engineering degree?
cheers

I got an engineering scholarship (Excellence) (worth 4 years), but it was also valid for any double degree with engineering

[paulsterio]

But recently, I've heard that because these undergrad courses are general, students arent offered work experience so if I don't get into postgrad then I've just wasted 3 yrs.

Don't listen to people.

its easy to transfer after 1st semester anyway.

No it's not. Lmao, I'm in all sorts right now

At least I will finsih a degree (or masters at la trobe) with some work experience.

A degree does not necessarily mean you will have work experience.

I'm still unsure of what I want to do but all i know is I want something to do with health science.

Being unsure is exactly why you should go to UoM!

Is melb uni worth the risk?

Doing anything is a risk, you're taking a risk which opens up more opportunities.

[stonecold]

I am just going to weigh in on biomed.  You should think very long and hard before you decide to go down this road instead of choosing science.
Undoubtedly biomed is a better degree if you want to pursue a professional post grad health degree or reserach in the field of biomedical science.

That having been said, it is a complete pain in the ass and you will have to work your ass off from the very beginning and over 3 years (after having also done 2 years of VCE) this becomes very draining, especially when you can get to where you want with a science degree anyway.  I am not going to go on a rant about how bad biomed can be, but basically there are some components of the course which have been very poorly thought out and are poorly taught.  On top of this, you get virtually no freedom in choosing anything other than your major (which is limited to the biomedical sciences) and the odd subject here or there.


Finally, before you study biomed you should know about all of the compulsory cores that you are signing up for:
-Calculus (1 or 2)
-Statistics
-Physics for Biomed
-Chem for Biomed
-MCB (double credit points)
-HSF (double credit points)
-Molecule to Malady
-Frontiers in Biomed

First year subjects are pretty standard compared with science, but you are forced to take them all.  Everyone particularly hates physics and stats, as they have no real point and are not prereqisites for second year.
MCB is a hard subject but doable provided you work hard.
HSF is a joke and the worst subject I have taken at the uni so far.  I will be writing a review on this in a few weeks.
I've heard that M2M is similar to MCB in that it is hard work but doable.
Frontiers is the most whinged about subject in the whole degree.  Probably the biggest joke subject out there, not that I have taken it yet.

Myself and many others regret choosing biomed over science on a daily basis.
Think is through very carefully.  Don't get sucked in by the university's marketing juggernaut or pretentious douchebags who tell you to do it for the prestige.  Make your own INFORMED decision because you will be a lot more comfortable with it.
There are several other reasons why I could tell you not to choose biomed, but I won't get into it here unless people really want me to.

[mark_alec]

If you are interested in science, pick a BSc or BBiomed. If you have a particular career in mind, then choose the appropriate course (physiotherapy, radiology, nursing etc.).

The former allows you to pick a professional course as a post-graduate, or pursue higher study (honours, PhD etc.), the latter will be much more inflexible, but better catered to those that want more directed study and career options.

[Shenz0r]

There are several other reasons why I could tell you not to choose biomed, but I won't get into it here unless people really want me to.

As someone who is actively considering Biomedicine, I'd like to hear this.

[Russ]

If you have a search this question has been done to death before. Have a read of a bunch of threads, there's a lot that's been posted that's similar to last time.

Stonecold I edited your post, not because I disagree (I do), but because I know UoM read this and it's just a hassle all around if it gets back to David.

I suppose I should point out that physics and stats do have a point (they are boring) and it's an important one, but you just haven't realised it yet.
What on earth was your problem with HSF? That was a great subject

[NoAngels]

There are several other reasons why I could tell you not to choose biomed, but I won't get into it here unless people really want me to.

As someone who is actively considering Biomedicine, I'd like to hear this.

1. You have no majors
2. Harder than Science but at the same day end up being equally qualified
3. Science gives you a more diverse outlook and is cheaper slightly

Also I recommend Monash,  easier to score high there, prestige uni and also the community there is far more supporting than the Melbourne one... when it comes to these particular faculties

[stonecold]

If you have a search this question has been done to death before. Have a read of a bunch of threads, there's a lot that's been posted that's similar to last time.

Stonecold I edited your post, not because I disagree (I do), but because I know UoM read this and it's just a hassle all around if it gets back to David.

I suppose I should point out that physics and stats do have a point (they are boring) and it's an important one, but you just haven't realised it yet.
What on earth was your problem with HSF? That was a great subject

Whilst you think I am being overly dramatic and negative, I can assure you that the subject has changed significantly since you took it.
I will refrain from overly denigrating the coordinator for now, but I maintain that he is incompetent and not fit for teaching.  I have heard other respected staff from the university comment on his performance (or lack thereof) and multiple students have sent him complaints or complained extensively about him in the subject experience surveys.

As for physics and stats yes, they are technically relevant but no one remembers any of it anyway so it is pointless.
I still really question why you need to take a whole physics subject to learn the basics of fluid flow for cardiovascular and charge separation for neuro when it all gets taught in second year.

Anyway, if anyone has questions then PM me and I will answer them.

[simpak]

I'm not really sure anybody can say Biomed is definitively 'harder' than Science, especially where it counts most in your third year and everyone is bunched in together in the same cohort.  But obviously, I haven't taken both degrees.  Just judging by how hard I personally work, to still not reach the goals I set for myself I don't consider it an easy ride at all?  But perhaps I'm wrong!

@blank FYI, by the time you finish your Bachelors degree you're pretty much going to be in need of a postgraduate qualification no matter what Biomedical field you're studying.  Don't rock up to your Bachelors expecting to be done with Uni in three years if you're going to go to Melbourne.  Same goes for a Biomedical degree at Monash.

You seem unsure, I'd do a more general degree (wherever suits) over a more 'specific' degree at Monash, speaking as someone who took a specific degree and then transferred into a general degree.

[NoAngels]

I'm not really sure anybody can say Biomed is definitively 'harder' than Science, especially where it counts most in your third year and everyone is bunched in together in the same cohort.  But obviously, I haven't taken both degrees.  Just judging by how hard I personally work, to still not reach the goals I set for myself I don't consider it an easy ride at all?  But perhaps I'm wrong!

@blank FYI, by the time you finish your Bachelors degree you're pretty much going to be in need of a postgraduate qualification no matter what Biomedical field you're studying.  Don't rock up to your Bachelors expecting to be done with Uni in three years if you're going to go to Melbourne.  Same goes for a Biomedical degree at Monash.

You seem unsure, I'd do a more general degree (wherever suits) over a more 'specific' degree at Monash, speaking as someone who took a specific degree and then transferred into a general degree.

I agree

It's harder in that with a science degree you do  E.g Microbiology 2nd year ... then do Micro in 3rd. There is a continuation if that makes sense. Most units in Biomed do not have that continuation.

However you are right ( they are equally hard) but you can make science " easy" by obviously linking your subjects.

[stonecold]

Not really.  In fact, as of next year, Experimental Microbiology is no longer being offered to science students.
Biomed students take MCB and science students take Principles in Microbiology & Immunolgy.
Then in second semester everyone (science or biomed) will take Microbes, Infections and Responses (MIIM20002) if you would like to major in Microbiology.

MIIM20002 is a fantastic subject and one which I highly recommend.  It is interesting, well coordinated, well taught and all in all very fair.

The difference in biomed is that there are a whole bunch of core subjects which you have to take, some of which are pretty ordinary.