Science or biomedical science?

[bubbles]

Here's my situation:
The course that I want to get into is optometry however i wasn't well prepared for the umat and did pretty bad. This means i'm unlikely to get an offer but I'm still putting it down as my first preference. Next on the list is biomed at melb uni however i do not meet the prereq 35 for chem so that's out of the question. I'm struggling between BSci at Melb or Biomedical science at monash (i've achieved a clearly-in enter for both so that gives me a good chance). Science makes me real nervous because it's so broad.  I attended melb's course info day and heard science is almost identical to biomed and i can still get into optom depending that i choose the right core subjects. However, let's say i can't get into optom through the science pathway (i.e grades below 75%) than the job prospects at the end of the sci degree is quite limited (well that's what my career's teacher has told me). It's really tempting to do science as i really prefer melbourne uni over monash. Not to add the access melbourne scholarship (CECS) that i will be receiving would certainly help financially. Sorry i've rambled on... basically what do you guys suggest Bsci at UoM or Biomed sci at monash clayton?

[vcestar]

I am in the same boat as you, i am going to do science because its much closer.

Its a risk, but i am not completely sure what you mean by 'prospects being limited' you can do dentistry, med, physio with those core subjects as well as other lab research and even if you did do biomedical science you would still have the same prospects, wont you?

I think you can also apply for other universities in victoria and interstate if you wanna do post grad, so its not just melbourne, making ur aim of doing optometry achievable. 

You have to take some risks.

[bubbles]

Its a risk, but i am not completely sure what you mean by 'prospects being limited' you can do dentistry, med, physio with those core subjects as well as other lab research and even if you did do biomedical science you would still have the same prospects, wont you?

i think what my career's teacher was saying by job prospects being limited is if u finish up with the sci degree without further studies. Might i add that this is her first year as a careers coordinator so some of her advice might not be accurate. Clayton is closer to home but science at melb is getting more and more appealing 

[register6]

Is there a GAMSAT for optometry as well?

[cara.mel]

-What uni is this optometry thing at? Internal transfers are generally easier (plus you're more familiar with the uni)

You could even do BSc at UoM and after a year try and transfer into biomed, especailly if you pick similar subjects

[Toothpaste]

@ caramel it would be optometry at UMelb (I'm only aware of UMelb and UNSW having optom courses ... )

[TrueLight]

whats wrong with science at monash! lol its always melb melb melb..... u can choose a wide range of subjects in monash as well, that are very similar to biomed and u can do like units from other faculties... so science ftw! lolz biomed is more core units, no options... i think u can choose only one elective unit...in first yr..lol

[cara.mel]

whats wrong with science at monash! lol its always melb melb melb..... u can choose a wide range of subjects in monash as well, that are very similar to biomed and u can do like units from other faculties... so science ftw! lolz biomed is more core units, no options... i think u can choose only one elective unit...in first yr..lol

I do science at monash
UoM is more prestigious, and overall teaching is of a higher standard there (in science), but it really depends on what you want to do specifically. After talking to friends enrolled in UoM science (such as Ahmad0, Neobeo, mark_alec) I think I made the right decision to go to monash I also think they made the right decision in going to UoM.

[TrueLight]

yeah yeah prestigious my ass... so is monash... their the ones i always read in the newspaper getting more funds with research and all these new science facilities... like the new buildings on the left .. gonna be used to do research stem cell...etc...and anyway monash is close...haha

[orsel]

-What uni is this optometry thing at? Internal transfers are generally easier (plus you're more familiar with the uni)

You could even do BSc at UoM and after a year try and transfer into biomed, especailly if you pick similar subjects

Next year is the last intake for optometry, so I highly doubt that they would allow transfers(as I recall, most transfers involve the student starting from scratch in 1st year) as there would be no 1st year to transfer into.

So really, I don't think there's much difference between UniMelb science and Monash science as you'll have to go through the graduate pathway anyway.

Edit: false information

   
In 2008 approximately 20-30 students will be selected into the second year of the Bachelor of Optometry after completing one year of tertiary study, including subjects identical to those completed by students in the pre-Optometry year. During selection consideration is given primarily to a student's first year results in the prerequisite subjects but also to a student's results from year 12 (or equivalent) and any additional tertiary study. UMAT is not required for entry into the second year of the course. From 2009, the number of places available through this pathway will be significantly reduced.