Subject/major queries

[simpak]

I've added Genetics in the Media to my study planner but there is no enrol button, only the change button. Do I have to go directly to Science Student Centre or somewhere else to discuss this?

Oh, did not know that. Are there any subject reviews for science and pseudoscience? I've already enrolled to that subject, can I withdraw from it if I change my mind?

You can switch subjects up to the census date for your semester (aka drop out and switch into a new subject) but past week 2 it can become a little difficult to enter a new subject as a replacement.  And it'll require some catching up as well.  I switched one of my subjects in second year in week 2 to start week 3 and catching up wasn't the most pleasant experience.

[simpak]

I'd also like some insight into whether It's a good idea to do what I'm doing:

Sem1:
BIOL10004 - Biology of Cells and Organisms
CHEM10003 - Chemistry 1
PHYC10005 - Physics 1: Fundamentals
Breadth

Sem2:
BIOL10005 - Genetics & The Evolution of Life
CHEM10004 - Chemistry 2
PHYC10003 - Physics 1  / (OR,,, Would I be better off doing Calculus 1?)
Breadth

I'm clueless, and I'm just selecting subjects that would complement the Physiology major.
Also a question about a Graduate degree: Does it work like, for example: 'get a major in physiology, study Doctor of Optometry the next year'

I'm not quite sure about the pathway to study a graduate degree such as the Doctor of Optometry, so some insight will be much appreciated!

Thanks

You don't need to take any particular major to get into Optometry (much like Medicine, Dentistry, Physio and any other vocational health postgrad).  You can take Physiology if that's what you're interested in, but you don't have to decide now.  You need to take at least 3 subjects on this list: https://graduate.science.unimelb.edu.au/sites/default/files/downloads/OptomPrereqs_Apr2013.pdf
But you don't need to take any particular major, ie, it would be possible to take three of those over the span of your course and also major in something completely different and not health sciences related at all.
If you got 98 or above in VCE you would be eligible for a guaranteed CSP place to the course provided you keep a 75% average over your entire course.

[Snorlax]

Thank you simpak!
I also have a similar question to ealam: I haven't completed VCE Physics and so i'm planning to do the fundamentals. However, I can't enrol in Physics 1 for Semester 2 because there's no button to enrol, only a 'change' option.
Does this also mean I'll have to contact the SSC?

Thanks

[Stevensmay]

Thank you simpak!
I also have a similar question to ealam: I haven't completed VCE Physics and so i'm planning to do the fundamentals. However, I can't enrol in Physics 1 for Semester 2 because there's no button to enrol, only a 'change' option.
Does this also mean I'll have to contact the SSC?

Thanks

It sounds like you have already filled up all your available subject slots? If you put up pictures of the page I can have a look.

[Starlight]

I'd also like some insight into whether It's a good idea to do what I'm doing:

Sem1:
BIOL10004 - Biology of Cells and Organisms
CHEM10003 - Chemistry 1
PHYC10005 - Physics 1: Fundamentals
Breadth

Sem2:
BIOL10005 - Genetics & The Evolution of Life
CHEM10004 - Chemistry 2
PHYC10003 - Physics 1  / (OR,,, Would I be better off doing Calculus 1?)
Breadth

I'm clueless, and I'm just selecting subjects that would complement the Physiology major.
Also a question about a Graduate degree: Does it work like, for example: 'get a major in physiology, study Doctor of Optometry the next year'

I'm not quite sure about the pathway to study a graduate degree such as the Doctor of Optometry, so some insight will be much appreciated!

Thanks

As simpak mentioned, the Doctor of Optometry course requires you to have completed 3 approved biological science subjects (which must be either level 2 or level 3). For the gamsat, only VCE level physics (e.g. content in fundamentals of physics) is examined so Physics 1 wouldn't be needed for that if you didn't want to do it. The physics component of the gamsat can also be self taught, the physics staff at melbourne uni are not renowned for their teaching skills . I've also heard that calculus is quite hard to score well in as well. At this stage of uni, you don't really need to be thinking of majors as of yet. Just take your broad science subjects in year 1 (first yr biol and first yr chem). When it's time to choose one, just pick the major that you are most interested in as you are more likely to achieve high results. However, I do think that the neuroscience major gives a slight advantage out of all the others when entering the OD course.

[Stevensmay]

Thank you simpak!
I also have a similar question to ealam: I haven't completed VCE Physics and so i'm planning to do the fundamentals. However, I can't enrol in Physics 1 for Semester 2 because there's no button to enrol, only a 'change' option.
Does this also mean I'll have to contact the SSC?

Thanks

Turns out I need to read better! Physics 1 is only available in Semester 1, this is why you can't choose which semester to do it in.

[ealam2]

You can switch subjects up to the census date for your semester (aka drop out and switch into a new subject) but past week 2 it can become a little difficult to enter a new subject as a replacement.  And it'll require some catching up as well.  I switched one of my subjects in second year in week 2 to start week 3 and catching up wasn't the most pleasant experience.

Yup thank you, simpak! Already changed one of my subjects.

Thank you simpak!
I also have a similar question to ealam:  no button to enrol, only a 'change' option.
Does this also mean I'll have to contact the SSC?

Yeah, mine is similar. Genetics in the Media in semester 1 only has the change button. It may be because I picked Genetics and the Evolution of Life in Semester 2 but I'll go and ask them about this.

Also, even if we haven't enrolled in all our subjects for first year, can we go to the next option of "After enrolment" or do we enrol in all our subjects first? I want to get a student card so I can have the transport concession card form.

[Stevensmay]

Yup thank you, simpak! Already changed one of my subjects.

Yeah, mine is similar. Genetics in the Media in semester 1 only has the change button. It may be because I picked Genetics and the Evolution of Life in Semester 2 but I'll go and ask them about this.

Also, even if we haven't enrolled in all our subjects for first year, can we go to the next option of "After enrolment" or do we enrol in all our subjects first? I want to get a student card so I can have the transport concession card form.

Please learn how to use the University handbook. It's available at https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/. If you look up the page for Genetics in the Media it will show that it is only run in first semester, thus why you cannot change what semester you take it in. Genetics in the Media

With the transport concession I believe you have to complete enrollment, otherwise you won't be considered to be studying full time. I think this may impact on concession. You can just populate it with random subjects.

[ealam2]

Please learn how to use the University handbook. It's available at https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/. If you look up the page for Genetics in the Media it will show that it is only run in first semester, thus why you cannot change what semester you take it in. Genetics in the Media

With the transport concession I believe you have to complete enrollment, otherwise you won't be considered to be studying full time. I think this may impact on concession. You can just populate it with random subjects.

Oh yes I know that it's running in first semester. I don't want to change which semester I take it in. I was just wondering why I can't enrol online for that subject. Thanks for replying. 

I need a student card first before I can get the transport concession form and yeah complete enrolment.

[Stevensmay]

Oh yes I know that it's running in first semester. I don't want to change which semester I take it in. I was just wondering why I can't enrol online for that subject. Thanks for replying. 

I need a student card first before I can get the transport concession form and yeah complete enrolment.

Can I get a screenshot of your current enrollment?

[simpak]

Are you sure you're choosing your subjects in the right place at this time?  Sometimes when you've filled up the 'level 1 science' area you have to go and put things in the 'Science and Breadth' area instead etc.  But you should post a screenshot as stated above.

[ealam2]

Are you sure you're choosing your subjects in the right place at this time?  Sometimes when you've filled up the 'level 1 science' area you have to go and put things in the 'Science and Breadth' area instead etc.  But you should post a screenshot as stated above.

I have only 5 enrolled science subjects excluding Genetics in the media, so wouldn't this subject be in the right place?
I've already enrolled into 2 level 1 breadth subjects.

Also, is there any advantage to doing more higher level breadth subjects or does the level not matter and it depends on your scores instead?

I've attached a screenshot of my enrolment too.

[Starlight]

I have only 5 enrolled science subjects excluding Genetics in the media, so wouldn't this subject be in the right place?
I've already enrolled into 2 level 1 breadth subjects.

Also, is there any advantage to doing more higher level breadth subjects or does the level not matter and it depends on your scores instead?

I've attached a screenshot of my enrolment too.

For semester 1 in the first year of uni I believe you have to complete a level 1 breadth. I *think* you can complete any level of breadth in semester 2 of first year. There's no advantage/disadvantage to taking a higher level breadth subject, I think the level just reflects perhaps the perceived difficulty of the subject (not to say the subject is necessarily difficult though). So yes, scores are much more important than the level of subjects that you took (but there are a set number of subjects that you must complete at each level). As long as you are taking the subjects that interest you (as well as any necessary prerequisites you may have) then you'll be fine.

[ealam2]

For semester 1 in the first year of uni I believe you have to complete a level 1 breadth. I *think* you can complete any level of breadth in semester 2 of first year. There's no advantage/disadvantage to taking a higher level breadth subject, I think the level just reflects perhaps the perceived difficulty of the subject (not to say the subject is necessarily difficult though). So yes, scores are much more important than the level of subjects that you took (but there are a set number of subjects that you must complete at each level). As long as you are taking the subjects that interest you (as well as any necessary prerequisites you may have) then you'll be fine.

Thank you very much, Starlight!