Bio sciences?

[lzxnl]

Those who saw my last post would have seen how my study plan was all physics chemistry and maths. Well, I'm wondering if the following would be better.
I looked at the subject handbook and figured, I don't need all that physics or chem, so I'm thinking about doing the chemical physics major. This means I'd only do 3 third year physics, two or three third year chemistries and potentially cutting out a second year chemistry subject. I'm not sure if I should leave out practical chemistry though. It seems like a very important part of chemistry.

If I were to go ahead with this, I'd have up to four extra subjects. Then, if I needed to, I could do an extra semester or so and do more biological science subjects if I felt interested. At the moment, I'm not too fussed about this stage of planning. My current plan would involve 4 level 2 chemistry subjects: practical chemistry, structure and properties, reactions and sythesis and biochem in first year. My only problem is that I'd have to move a breadth to the winter, if possible.

First question. Where do I find winter subjects? I can't seem to find them on the handbook.
Second question. Am I allowed to do nine subjects in first year, even if one of them is in the winter? Or does that count as overloading?
Third question. How much fun is biochemistry?
Fourth question. Is Practical Chemistry worth dropping?

Need to make a decision sooooonnnnn........

[LeviLamp]

Winter subjects are almost nonexistent; very, VERY few subjects run over winter and are mostly from the VCA. There is no real winter semester for a science student; there's only a small selection there for you. However, winter subjects can be found here between the summer subjects: https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/faces/htdocs/user/search/SearchResults.jsp

A person at Medley did Practical Chemistry in Sem 2 2013 and said that it was sometimes interesting but utterly and completely soul-destroying (not exaggerating); two 3- or 4-hour pracs per week with full at-home writeups and an oral presentation in the semester as well. If you don't need it desperately and aren't planning on pursuing a career full of chemistry practicals, you could probably forgo it, but the experience with laboratory techniques and equipment seems like a generally useful skill.

There are some Biochem/Molecular Bio reviews in the subject reviews thread, and many of the AN people have taken it; simpak, El2012, Turtle, jinny1 to name a few. I'll also be able to give input by the end of this year if you don't take BCMB20002 in 2014.

P.S. I completely empathise with your subject-choosing agony, it's horrible having to pick so few things D:

[lzxnl]

Well...wouldn't most chemistry-related careers involve lab work? I'm not too sure whether I should skip this subject tbh, and I can't really move my remaining breadth in first year anywhere else.
The link you gave me didn't show any winter subjects ):

P.S. I completely empathise with your subject-choosing agony, it's horrible having to pick so few things D:

GAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHh it almost makes me regret not doing a biomedical/science double at Monash. Except that Monash is in the middle of nowhere and I may be forced to actually do first year physics and chem there. So many options, not enough subjects spaces...even when I'm rigging the system as much as I can...

[LeviLamp]

I reckon if you have nothing else you NEED to do in that spot that you should take Practical Chemistry for the skills and experience you'll get in the lab environment. Chemistry majors also require the subject, so if you have a change of heart you'll have that option open

[lzxnl]

I reckon if you have nothing else you NEED to do in that spot that you should take Practical Chemistry for the skills and experience you'll get in the lab environment. Chemistry majors also require the subject, so if you have a change of heart you'll have that option open

I know, but I'm fairly sure a chemical physics major would suit me more. No practical chemistry needed there. I get to do a broader array of subjects that way.
I do have something else I need to put in that spot though; biochem plus two other chemistries, two bios and two maths...it's seven already. I need a breadth first year.

[LeviLamp]

What about The Secret Life of Language? It's like a problem-solving class but with words instead of numbers or science, so it seems like it'd suit you, and it'd be pretty easy to understand considering you did English Language in VCE? There are other logical breadths too like Logic, Language and Information or Critical Thinking With Data???

[alondouek]

GAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHh it almost makes me regret not doing a biomedical/science double at Monash.

ONE OF US, ONE OF US

First question. Where do I find winter subjects? I can't seem to find them on the handbook.

Third question. How much fun is biochemistry?

1. Follow the instructions here using the Advanced Handbook Search

3. Oh god yes. I hope you like enzyme pathways lol

[lzxnl]

ONE OF US, ONE OF US

1. Follow the instructions here using the Advanced Handbook Search

3. Oh god yes. I hope you like enzyme pathways lol

What do you mean "one of us?"

I tried that. There isn't "winter semester" as an option I think.

Enzyme pathways seem fun. Is it just extended reaction mechanisms?

What about The Secret Life of Language? It's like a problem-solving class but with words instead of numbers or science, so it seems like it'd suit you, and it'd be pretty easy to understand considering you did English Language in VCE? There are other logical breadths too like Logic, Language and Information or Critical Thinking With Data???

Any of these over the summer or winter? I'd take them if so.

[LeviLamp]

Nup, they're over the regular semesters :C

[alondouek]

What do you mean "one of us?"

Look at my degree

I tried that. There isn't "winter semester" as an option I think.

Here's a screenshot, you just need to click the 'study period commencement' column twice, click 'display all' at the bottom of the table, then ctrl+F 'winter':

Enzyme pathways seem fun. Is it just extended reaction mechanisms?

Not really, but it certainly includes that. Keep in mind that you're looking at chemistry in a biological context, so the theory and areas of study are very broad. But yes, lots of enzyme pathways

[lzxnl]

Last time I checked the handbook I did NOT see that. But ok.

Then what are you doing posting in a UoM subforum?

[alondouek]

Then what are you doing posting in a UoM subforum?

It's a free country!

Hope I could help

[lzxnl]

That list of winter subjects is so narrow. Sigh. That's that out of consideration then.

Guess I'll have to ask the uni staff sometime to see if they recommend I do practical or biochem this year.

[Starlight]

Enzyme pathways seem fun. Is it just extended reaction mechanisms?

Not really. It doesn't really incorporate any real chemistry in the subject i.e. reaction mechanisms, just a whole lot of rote learning. The most chemistry knowledge it would require is slight knowledge of organic: carbohydrate/ lipid nomenclature, and being able to draw the structures comprising glycolysis.

I'd like to emphasise Levilamp's point about practical chemistry. Your contact hours will be hectic, if you don't need to do the subject then I would avoid it.

[Hancock]

If you're trying to mix as much Bio, Physics and Chem together, make sure that you've thought of a career outcome that involves them all. Otherwise, it'll be better off just focusing on one and or two areas of speciality like most students!