the 'what do i really need to buy' thread.

[simpak]

(y)
So I'm one of those particular people who doesn't like waiting until two weeks into semester to figure out what stuff I 'actually' need to buy.  I like to be totally prepared!  Otherwise I feel too disorganised and end up on the edge of a nervous breakdown.  Lucky I have you guys to tell me what I should and should not be buying with regard to textbooks this year.  And what I can/cannot buy or should/should not buy secondhand...

So I'm doing Biol, Chem 1 and Physics Fundamentals.
'Prescribed' basically looks like:

Biology: Biology: An Australian Focus + Connect Plus, Biology Microscope Kit : Slides Coverslips and Marker
Chem: Organic Chemistry / Chemical Principles with Web Booklet / Molecular Model Set for Organic Stereochemistry SHRINKWRAP (buy shrinkwrapped or buy in pieces or buy some new and some old or...?)
Physics: College Physics + Student Workbooks Vols 1 & 2 + Mastering Physics Access Kit SHRINKWRAP (buy shrinkwrapped or buy in pieces or buy some new and some old or...?)

And go!  Thanks science people!  And anyone else is welcome to ask others what they should or shouldn't be buying and in what condition to buy it as well.

[Edmund]

I got all the books you've listed new and it really depends whether you prefer new or secondhand books. The bookshop usually has a few copies of second hand books so you might get lucky I found the Biology and Physics book really helpful in explaining sticky concepts and principles.

The chemistry books are good for reference, though not very necessary. If you want to get the chem books, get it shrinkwrapped since it comes with the molymod thing (lego for chemistry!).

For Physics, you can just get the textbook itself. The workbooks are useless and Mastering Physics is hardly used in the course (just online ebook and some quizzes).

For Biology, you need the dissecting kit, but maybe not the slides coverslips. Not sure though, best to wait till first week to find out.

All these books can be used for both semesters in first year and reference for later years, and it's not too hard to sell as long as you've got the latest edition.

EDIT: terrible typing, corrected errors

[simpak]

Yay!  Thanks so much, I'll work out what I can buy new with my parents who just adore the idea of my transferring from a degree with 50 dollar textbooks to one with 150 dollar textbooks.

[rustic_metal]

Pirate costume.

[simpak]

Pirate costume.

Already got that one covered.
Halloween circa 2003.

[rustic_metal]

What's 'Respect' and when did this get here?

[simpak]

I know I'm so confused WHO RESPECTED ME, I DON'T DESERVE IT.  What happened to karma?  Did it go out when the vote up/down came in?

[TrueLight]

haha yes check announcements

[Russ]

You'll need a labcoat but get it second hand because the uni branded ones are twice the price. The molecular model kit is useless, I don't know anybody who actually found it helpful

I know I'm so confused WHO RESPECTED ME, I DON'T DESERVE IT.  What happened to karma?  Did it go out when the vote up/down came in?

Yeah, reddit bought the site

[Gloamglozer]

You'll need a labcoat but get it second hand because the uni branded ones are twice the price. The molecular model kit is useless, I don't know anybody who actually found it helpful

I know I'm so confused WHO RESPECTED ME, I DON'T DESERVE IT.  What happened to karma?  Did it go out when the vote up/down came in?

Yeah, reddit bought the site

The lab coats can be bought from the store in the basement of the Chemistry building.  But they tend to sell out pretty quickly.

I bought the molecular kit and used it a couple of times.  But you could argue that chemistry isn't my favourite cup of tea or my strongest subject so I guess it depends.

[foley]

I also have a few questions.

1) What is a subject reader?

2) Do i need them and are they different for each subject?

3) Are the 4 recommended texts for MBB1 necessary to buy?

Thanks

[simpak]

A subject reader is a spiral bound book that contains all of your readings for selected weeks, that is, your homework.  You should buy it.  Some are available on the internet for download but not all, and it's just as expensive to print it off yourself so you may as well just get it at the bookshop.  They're different for each subject, because each subject has different coursework

The four recommended texts aren't necessary but you should buy Statistics for Behavioural Sciences and, if you are going to do MBB2 Nick Haslam's book.  If you're not going to do MBB2 or are unsure, don't buy that one.  Don't get Writing for Psychology.  And I just borrowed the other textbook from the RMIT library.  You don't really need to use it until MBB2 anyway.

[Massofbubbles]

Is the 1st year biomed stats text worth buying?

[Russ]

Is the 1st year biomed stats text worth buying?

I borrowed it from the library and it sat on my shelf for a semester and I still got an H1

Just buy the notes from the bookshop

[Massofbubbles]

Is the 1st year biomed stats text worth buying?

I borrowed it from the library and it sat on my shelf for a semester and I still got an H1

Just buy the notes from the bookshop

Cool, thanks Russ.