UoA 'What papers should I do at UoA for graduate entry' Chat/enquiries

[acbard9]

Thanks for your reply! I will keep that paper in mind Do you have any Stage 2 recommendations?

Agree with you on the test and the report haha. Did disappointingly in both, so hopefully I can pull it back somehow.

I've probably seen you around in 305... The lab report was difficult/weird, but I thought that test was pretty fair.

I'm doing physics 107 as an extra science paper this semester, and it's probably the best decision I've ever made. The assignments give 20% of your grade, are easy, take just a couple hours, and I find them quite relaxing in fact! They all involve some drawing and graphing followed by some simple calculations, which I find a nice change a pace from years of medsci reports. The labs give 10% of your grade, and are actually laughably easy - they schedule 5x 1hour labs for you, but in reality you'll likely finish within 15 minutes each time and get 100%. The tests and exams are also straight forward - mostly MCQs with a couple short answers, where half the questions almost seem like common sense (for someone coming from a science background). So it's quite easy to get a good mark, but I also find it legitimately interesting and engaging, and a great change of pace compared to very focused physiology and pharmacology like in many of the medscis I've done over the years.

 

[Mdku22]

Thanks for your reply! I will keep that paper in mind Do you have any Stage 2 recommendations?

Agree with you on the test and the report haha. Did disappointingly in both, so hopefully I can pull it back somehow.

Medsci 202 would be another I'd recommend. It really is just rote-learning the individual microbio lectures (most lectures are basically independent sub-topics) and the tests for bacteria which is most of the lab content. The Labs were actually really enjoyable, and included our own blood typing and allergy testing. They gave 20% of your grade, and you could quite easily get 95-100% in each of them with minimal effort (I'd typically complete them in an hour or less). The immunology part of the course (which is ~1/3rd of the lectures) is a little more challenging, and did require some time investment from me, but luckily I had Roger Booth (and more songs!) to keep me going through most of that section. The test was all MCQs, which weren't necessarily hard, but weren't easy either - there was a lot of content, but you can easily do well in it with proper study. The exam was actually surprisingly easy: it's all short answers where you have to answer 6 out of 9 questions. The reason why I found it easy was that many of these questions (probably 4/9) were directly repeated from previous exams (literally word for word!), and so you likely already know most of the exam!

 

[Stuart]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend me papers that are basically just involve rote-learning/memorising? Few assignments, not conceptual content? Either Stage 2 or 3 papers

I’ve done MEDSCI 201, 203, 204, 205, BIOSCI 203 (and some Stats papers which I’ve really enjoyed btw I highly recommend!) Currently doing MEDSCI 305 (memorisable, but tough marking) and 306 (don’t ever take it).

Hi,

Are you not able to take a Stage-1 paper? You are essentially describing first-year papers: "just involve rote-learning/memorising? Few assignments, not conceptual content".

By the way, it's good to see you posting around still.

 

[acbard9]

Hi,

Are you not able to take a Stage-1 paper? You are essentially describing first-year papers: "just involve rote-learning/memorising? Few assignments, not conceptual content".

By the way, it's good to see you posting around still.

Always lovely to hear from you, Stuart . I wish I were being a little more helpful than being the one needing help though!

That’s true. I can take one more Stage I paper, but they wouldn’t count towards Otago entry. I’ll be doing 9 or 10 papers over this semester, SS 2019 and S1 2019. Given that I’m already taking one Stage 1 paper this semester, I’d only have 7/9 (...or 8/10) papers to count for Otago if I do a second Stage 1 paper. I’m much more likely to get in to Otago atm, considering that I really dropped the ball in Sem 2 2017

 

[IgA antibodi3]

Hey everyone,
Just wanted to know if anyone had recommendations on papers to take in summer school.
Also, how do the papers work for summer school do they count for the year you take them or the previous year.
E.G: I am a stage 1, if i do a paper in SS next year will it count as part of Stage 2 or Stage 1? As I am planning on taking a total of 9 papers in the year for 2019 (1 in SS)
Thanks for the advice!

 

[kimchihillgang]

Hi everyone, has anyone done HSFY in Otago then undergraduate study in Auckland University (e.g bachelor of science) then came back down to Otago to apply for Med/Dent as graduate entry?

This is what I am currently thinking of doing, any ideas on it??

Thank you to anybody that reply

 

[Stuart]

Hi everyone, has anyone done HSFY in Otago then undergraduate study in Auckland University (e.g bachelor of science) then came back down to Otago to apply for Med/Dent as graduate entry?

This is what I am currently thinking of doing, any ideas on it??

Thank you to anybody that reply

Hi there,

That is certainly possible and I am sure people do that all the time. However, I think it is more likely that they would stay in Auckland if they were to do medicine for the obvious reason (going to Auckland after HSFY).

I am not sure if you meant to say "came back down to Otago to apply", but you don't need to come back just to apply. It will only be necessary if you get an interview for BDS.

Good luck!

 

[kimchihillgang]

Ah yes I meant like doing finish bachelors degree at auckland uni and coming back to Otago for doing med or dent as a graduate student.

Thank you very much for you reply

 

[Dreamer123]

hey guys! I'm thinking of going via the graduate route now and doing a bsc majoring in physiology
Anyone got any thoughts on Medsci 205, medsci 202 and stats 101 together? (still figuring out what my other stage 2 paper will be, thinking winesci or marine sci).
Also, anyone have any opinions on medsci 313? Would it be good to take it in 2nd year and get a good grade, or should I wait till 3rd year? Thanks!

 

[acbard9]

MEDSCI 205 is a somewhat chill paper imo! At least compared to 201, 203. More about concepts really, so don't be afraid to ask questions to lecturers to get your head around stuff.

I hear MEDSCI 202 is the easier version of 203. I took 203, and yeah it was heaps of work but wasn't actually that bad. High reward guaranteed with good amount of study if you are the memorising type, so I can only assume 202 is the same.

STATS 101 is very chill too. You can basically consider it an afterthought tbh, do maybe an hour of two of it a week (on top of assignments) and you'll do fine (A, A+).

MEDSCI 201, 202, 205 and STATS101 seems to be a common combination. People I know who've done that got above 8 GPA for that semester, but do make sure you do the work

 

[Dreamer123]

Thanks Just wondering, how did you find medsci 206 if you took it? Also, what would you say would be the step up from medsci 142 relative to medsci 205? I found medsci 142 pretty hard this semester, so I'm little bit worried about next year. Thanks

 

[acbard9]

Didn't do either 142 (did my first year in Dunedin) or 206 sorry. 206 is apparently pretty easy too.

MEDSCI 204, 206 aren't too bad at all tbh. Others also take BIOSCI 203 in Semester 2, which does take a bit more memorising, but perhaps instead choose an easier Stage 2 paper, and maybe something like MATHS108 or PHYSICS107 or STATS201 to round out that semester. WINESCI201 is another popular choice BUT there's down-scaling in the course.

ETA:
Have you thought about not doing MEDSCI courses? Honestly, there's not many job options at the end of Physiology/Pharmacology/Biomed (don't let staff tell you otherwise), and it's difficult to consistently get As/A+s in the MEDSCI papers. I'm almost at the end of my degree with good grades (mostly As), but I'm struggling to find work.

I would recommend going straight into one of the other programs or maybe Engineering etc., or some of the professional programs at AUT (Physio, Podiatry, OccTherapy, Oral Health, Midwife, Nurse or other non-health options ofc) so that you'll at least have a good life back up while potentially doing your best to get good grades.

 

[AHHHHHH]

Thanks Just wondering, how did you find medsci 206 if you took it? Also, what would you say would be the step up from medsci 142 relative to medsci 205? I found medsci 142 pretty hard this semester, so I'm little bit worried about next year. Thanks

If you found medsci 142 hard, then stage 2 will be very difficult. Avoid medsci 201 if you can. My recommendation, however, is if you are adamant on med then go through biomed, another biosci focused course or even psych. Don't rush into physiology, keep asking around and doing research and only then make a decision.

 

[AHHHHHH]

Didn't do either 142 (did my first year in Dunedin) or 206 sorry. 206 is apparently pretty easy too.

MEDSCI 204, 206 aren't too bad at all tbh. Others also take BIOSCI 203 in Semester 2, which does take a bit more memorising, but perhaps instead choose an easier Stage 2 paper, and maybe something like MATHS108 or PHYSICS107 or STATS201 to round out that semester. WINESCI201 is another popular choice BUT there's down-scaling in the course.

ETA:
Have you thought about not doing MEDSCI courses? Honestly, there's not many job options at the end of Physiology/Pharmacology/Biomed (don't let staff tell you otherwise), and it's difficult to consistently get As/A+s in the MEDSCI papers. I'm almost at the end of my degree with good grades (mostly As), but I'm struggling to find work.

I would recommend going straight into one of the other programs or maybe Engineering etc., or some of the professional programs at AUT (Physio, Podiatry, OccTherapy, Oral Health, Midwife, Nurse or other non-health options ofc) so that you'll at least have a good life back up while potentially doing your best to get good grades.

Good to see you still active mate, how you been? and what are you up to now, did you get in Australia or will you be applying again?

 

[acbard9]

[OFFTOPIC]
AHHHHHH

Hey! Yes I've been gone a while actually.
I didn't end up applying to any Aussie Med schools, but maybe eventually I will?
I did manage to get an Aus Dent place last year hahaha.

How about you, what's your situation now?
[OFFTOPIC]

 

[acbard9]

Has anybody done either MEDSCI 304 and 307?

Which one is better for someone who just wants a paper with fair marking and memorise-able content?
I've had mixed reviews so far. I have been told that 307 would be more what I'm looking for, but the marking has been described as "extremely harsh" by literally everybody I have asked. 304 sounds like a challenge, but if it's rewarded with fairer marking, then that's what I'd rather do.

I managed to get concession to take 307 today (didn't do 206), but I'm happy to not do it. Any advice on this would be absolutely awesome

 

[puerto rico]

Hey guys, I'm currently starting my 3rd year physiology this year, I managed to get 8.25GPA last year however due to the sheer difficulty of 3rd year physiology I plan on doing 5 papers during Sem1 and Sem2 to cancel out my worst grades and allow me to choose easier papers to boost my GPA. However I'm just wondering if there is a limit of Stage 1 papers I can take in my 3rd year to boost my GPA or do these filler papers have to be Stage 2 & 3

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks!

 

[Cerebella]

Hey guys, I'm currently starting my 3rd year physiology this year, I managed to get 8.25GPA last year however due to the sheer difficulty of 3rd year physiology I plan on doing 5 papers during Sem1 and Sem2 to cancel out my worst grades and allow me to choose easier papers to boost my GPA. However I'm just wondering if there is a limit of Stage 1 papers I can take in my 3rd year to boost my GPA or do these filler papers have to be Stage 2 & 3

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks!

Hey, also doing my 3rd year physiology this year. Don't think there's a limit of Stage Is you can do, as long as you take at least 12 stage II/III papers throughout your degree + 5 stage III papers with 4 of them being MEDSCIs.

 

[John_Cena]

Hi guys could someone please help me choose between MEDSCI307 and MEDSCI304.
Both seem fascinating but neuropharmacology (MEDSCI307) stands out to me but after reading reviews I have found that it's marked harshly so if anyone can provide me some insight into this issue would be useful.
For MEDSCI304 I have read that its way more research-based and at a really higher level that other stage 3 courses so again if someone could provide me insight on that, it would really help me make a decision.

Thank You

 

[Mdku22]

Hi guys could someone please help me choose between MEDSCI307 and MEDSCI304.
Both seem fascinating but neuropharmacology (MEDSCI307) stands out to me but after reading reviews I have found that it's marked harshly so if anyone can provide me some insight into this issue would be useful.
For MEDSCI304 I have read that its way more research-based and at a really higher level that other stage 3 courses so again if someone could provide me insight on that, it would really help me make a decision.

Thank You

I haven't done 304, but I have done 307.
The lecture content (which goes to ~70-75% of total grade) is fanatastic - the main lecturer Mike Dragunow is probably the coolest professor at the university. His lectures are also great, and relatively short/low in content per lecture making it a blast to study.

The lab content is where you've probably heard of the harsh marking. The main reason for this is the dreaded lab test at the end of semester. However, I will say that the lab content from 307 is probably the most useful labs I've done in my whole degree - I truly learnt how to succinctly write a proper lab report, and I saw my report-writing skill in my other subjects has increased substantially after taking 307.

I'd overall recommend the course, but keep in mind that it's the lab side that's the harder part of the course, although this doesn't mean you can't do well in it