'What papers should I do at UoO for graduate entry' Chat, Enquiries and Help

[iUsername]

Actually, if I have my facts straight, it's only the last (Trainee Intern) year that has a government stipend, but that's more than the fees of the year so it's fine.

Alright last year then.
You can still get a summer job and pay your fees. If it's not enough theres always the bank of mom and dad
And I'm sure if you ask study link they may be willing to bend their rules a little for a future doctor!

I don't know if that's quite comparable... Although I haven't "been there, done that" myself so...

It was meant to be a generalization.... not literal. Typically things get harder as you progress but yeah at the end of the day it really depends on what you make of it.
Always assume the worst I say and prepare for that.

 

[greenglacier]

If you enter med via graduate entry you'll have to deal with the 7 year cap and the difficulty of getting good grades whatever you do.

NZMSA is strongly campaigning to have something done about the 7 year rule, because it really does disadvantage graduate entry students, but the chances of actually achieving anything are slim. Still, potentially there might be a change of policy by the time it affects you (which is a while away).

Otago is the only NZ university that offers an undergraduate degree in neuroscience, but given that Auckland does have a good reputation for neuroscience research I would've thought it'd still be possible to get plenty of exposure to the field if you majored in biomed at Auckland and chose papers accordingly (though this is just me speculating). At Otago, only students doing the BSc (hons) in neuroscience get to take specific "neuroscience" papers (one at 3rd year and a few at 4th year). The BSc in neuroscience consists of a combination of thematically-linked papers from many disciplines - e.g. physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, psychology, zoology, biochemistry, genetics. It is a popular major, and one that is well-supported (there's lots of neuroscience research going on at Otago at the moment).

I don't think any of the regular MSO members are doing neuroscience, but a few will have done some of the papers that can count towards a neuroscience degree.

 

[AppleMac22]

Hey, I'm not doing neuroscience but I am doing a majority of the papers that neuroscience majors do.. as greenglacier said, the degree actually turns into "neuroscience" in 3/4th year before that its just a mix of papers from different departments.

In terms of difficulty, I dont know how hard auckland papers are, but if their similar to HSFY difficulty, if you did well in your first year (A/A+'s) then its not "impossible" to do well in 2nd year (sorry this is all ive done so far) - by this I mean if you continue to study hard theres no reason you wouldnt get A/A+ in 2nd year - the number of lectures per week are much less and the work is presented much more coherently (I found anyway - I found in 1st year some concepts were displayed pretty vaguely). Obviously the content is "harder" as it builds from 1st year, so if you "slack off" I'd think 2nd year would be pretty hard.

As for 3rd year, from heresay it is more difficult - this is because you have to do seminars/speeches/presentations etc which require a large effort I wouldn't say its impossible to do well in 3rd year either, but once again if you continue to actually work hard theres no reason not to atleast aspire for A/A+'s.

So I guess a rule of thumb for "how hard", for an A+ at otago you would need to = go over all the lectures, memorise each slide word for word (overstatement obviously lol), and some 2nd year papers are quite lab heavy (pharmacology etc) so you would also need to be willing to put in effort every week and possibly be willing to do work for others (your "partners") as its quite common to get into groups where there are people not wanting to put in the same effort (sorry brought back bad memories ). I guess I could add that for some papers getting A-/A is alot harder because the internal work is so heavy and subjectively marked, thats another key different between 1st year and 2nd year (in otago anyway, 1st year internals are mainly just mid-terms etc not essays and presentations).

If you get medicine in first year please take it, don't put yourself through something you simply don't have to do, no one in BSc aiming for medicine/dentistry "wants" to do it. It's 2 more years of struggle.

 

[iUsername]

We don't have that many papers concerning neuroscience at AU. Otago seems to have more papers in that field.

You can do MEDSCI 206 which is an introduction to the field.
But I'd suggest browsing the AU site and your biomed handbook for more info. From there just ask the contacts in neuroscience (i.e course co ordinators or Janus Lipsky) if you have additional questions

 

[greenglacier]

You can still get a summer job and pay your fees. If it's not enough theres always the bank of mom and dad
And I'm sure if you ask study link they may be willing to bend their rules a little for a future doctor!

[offtopic]Ahh... no

(1) Rules are rules and studylink will not make exceptions.
(2) At Otago, there's no break between 5th and 6th year. I think there might be at Auckland, but it's short.
(3) Fees are > $12,000. Good luck earning that from a summer job! You might be lucky enough to have parents who'll pay that, but it is a lot of money.[/offtopic]

 

[iUsername]

[offtopic]Ahh... no

(1) Rules are rules and studylink will not make exceptions.
(2) At Otago, there's no break between 5th and 6th year. I think there might be at Auckland, but it's short.
(3) Fees are > $12,000. Good luck earning that from a summer job! You might be lucky enough to have parents who'll pay that, but it is a lot of money.[/offtopic]

I'm sure I read somewhere on this site that they could bend the rules...or perhaps I just wanted to hear that

All I can say after reading that is....live with your parents and save up for a couple of years . I'll be making around 9k working in my reception job over the summer and I made just over that managing Farmers for the summer as well...so it's not entirely bad. Just get creative kaka

 

[Phi]

Question about choosing courses for Graduate Entry at Otago

Hi everyone!

I am wanting to apply as a competitive graduate for medicine at Otago University for 2014.
I am just wondering whether the admissions office ranks applicants based purely on GPA. If this is the case would it not be beneficial to take the maximum number of 100 levels in my second year?

For example a BSc degree majoring in a Physiology requires only 7 compulsory papers that are 200 level and above. Does this mean that I can fill up my second year with 100 levels?

2nd Year
PHSL 231 PHSL 232 PHSL 233 + 4 other 100 levels + 1 optional 8th paper

3rd Year
PHSL 345 PHSL 341 PHSL 343 PHSL 344 + 3 other 200 levels + 1 optional 8th paper

This fufills the requirements of the degree as stated in the website https://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/subjects/phsl.html but is it recommended that I do this if I want to apply for professional courses as a post grad?

 

[bobby190]

Hello Phi,
Admissions office ranks everyone on GPA, but a UMAT threshold must be crossed or you will not be ranked in the first place.

Yes you can take as many 100 level papers as possible in your second year and provided you choose them carefully it is likley to be beneficial. Assuming all 100 level papers are easier than all 200 level papers id say do as many 100 levels as possible. But this is not always the case whether its simply work required by the course or a matter of interest, but some papers such as MAOR100and COMP 100 levels are known for their easiness.

But I chose to do biomed, it involves 6x 200 level papers in second year but served me best as I find science papers the most interesting.But if interest is not a concern id say research and choose the correct 100 level papers.
Food for thought however: Great advantage in doing more 200 level papers in second year (Especially semester 1) is that you may not like your major ! and you may want to keep your options open perhaps anatomy or microbiology papers/majors. Biomed also allows you to choose your 300 level papers as oppose to BSc which is strict. This may prove advantageous in your 3rd year (most important year). Note also if you choose biomed to start off with you can change to BSc anytime, muuuch harder vice versa.

Just to add Id personally recommend starting off with biomed for semester 1 of second year and also sitting UMAT in second year and third year (Incase 3rd year UMAT doesnt work out OR you need to do an honours year)

 

[Phi]

Thanks Bobby190 for the detailed reply and advice!

I have decided to start off doing Biomed for my first semester now.
I am thinking of taking all three MICR and PHSL papers for the year.
Would you mind sharing which papers you took and your recommendations? I'm having a tough time deciding which papers to take :S

 

[bobby190]

Fine choice Phi, You could experiment with ANAT241 in semester 1 aswell, More variety of papers you take in semester 1 the more doors you open.
Although I dont doubt ANAT242 and 243 (both second semester papers) are quite hard. Infact I dropped ANAT242 10 lectures in because I thought it was extremely hard and a waste of time to memorise bumps on top of the brainstem which casually had 20 letter names each only to forget it and also I felt like I wouldnt be taking away much from the experience of taking that paper.

https://www.medstudentsonline.com.a...-post-grad-entry-24161/index2.html#post221442
^^heres another POV
These are the papers I took in second year:
PHSL231
PHAl211
ANAT241
--------------These 3 papers first few modules overlap like crazy and is pretty relax start off. Id say phsl and anat are a must, as they are simply IMO. phal was hard. But my most favourite paper yet, very rewarding paper in terms of helping you to research papers, writing skills and general knowledge of medicine (it is the study of how and why you administer drugs!). I would have added MICR221 to this list if knew better ( or you could save it for 3rd year)
PHSL232
PHSL233
PHAL212
MAOR110
----------------Just carry on subjects you like in S2. semester 1 is the crucial semester to keep your options open. MATH, STAT, MAOR 100 levels are perfect for fillers.
But i have also take MICR221 and MICR222 in my third year. Both are quite good papers. As you will know from reading the thread i linked you people have mixed options about which papers are hard and which ones are easy so its really your personal strengths that matter (another reason to keep your options open in S1).

 

[wrglmczslzf]

how about the anatomy 300 level papers???? Thanks!!

 

[dspro]

Hey Phi,
Just to add to Bobby190's post, I agree that ANAT242 was one of the most difficult papers I took during my second year (scored the lowest in this paper) however I found both ANAT241 and ANAT 243 really well structured and hence I think they would be a good choice to take.

 

[Lexar]

Opinions/Information on ANAT241 and ANAT332 as well as MICR221/MICR222/MICR223

Hey everyone

I would like to have your opinions on the ANAT241, ANAT331 and ANAT332 courses please.

I am interested in things such as:
1. How difficult you would rank them out of 10, 10 being most difficult.
2. I heard ANAT332 is a good 300 level paper to do in 3rd year in terms of maintaining a high GPA. Is it worth doing the ANAT241 paper in order to do ANAT332? I heard the ANAT241 paper is rather challenging. Can I also have your opinion on ANAT331.
3. Details regarding the structure of the courses and their assessments.
4. If you would recommend these papers? If not, what you would suggest instead.

Could I also get the same information on MICR221, MICR222 and MICR223 please, I don't really know much about these papers.

I am hoping to do MATH151 in semester 1 this year but may not be able to. What alternatives are there to MATH151 in semester 1? I am after a 100 level paper solely for an A+.

Thank you for any input you can contribute!

 

[bobby190]

how about the anatomy 300 level papers???? Thanks!!

[MENTION=9692]wrglmczslzf[/MENTION] [MENTION=13517]Lexar[/MENTION]

ANAT331- A lot of musculoskeletal anatomy. Very interesting and if you did ANAT241 you will be aquainted with how to study this.
Internals are rat races/OSPEs which you need to scuttle around the lab and identify structures and possibly their functions quickly within time limits. Internals are easy imo but you need to study at anat museum and use colour pictures.

ANAT332-More cell based and neuron based. A lot of the lectures are not assessed but finals are hard. Cell degradation/Immune system/cell receptors are the main topics. Theory is dead simple and covers healthsci stuff. Internals are written assessments and seminar presentation.

 

[bobby190]

ANAT241-

1)6/10
Internals-Slide show questionaire (doesnt change each year), presentation, MCQ test, SAQ test (?)

ANAT332-

1)9/10
I would recommend it. Must prepare essays beforehand finals, no point otherwise.
Internals-Seminar presentation and assignment

Plenty of info right hurr
https://www.medstudentsonline.com.au/f13/if-you-dont-get-through-hsfy-12328/

 

[peterthepan]

Thanks for that link

 

[bobby190]

[MENTION=13605]peterthepan[/MENTION] I think mso is trying to reduce posts like Thanks and Cool etc. They introduced the like button for that reason. Just saying as I saw the other posts and before the mods snap you for it.

But your welcome =)

 

[allnewriot]

Hey there,

Can anyone give me any information regarding the 300 level MICR papers, particularly MICR332 and MICR334?
i.e like what kind of assessments do they have, is it particularly hard to get a good grade?

Thanks

 

[bobby190]

Im sure [MENTION=4350]koochkooch[/MENTION] can help.

I heard its got pretty long labs . I havent heard anything about it being paticularly easy but I have heard its hard from very few people.

 

[Deleted member 4350]

Hey there,

Can anyone give me any information regarding the 300 level MICR papers, particularly MICR332 and MICR334?
i.e like what kind of assessments do they have, is it particularly hard to get a good grade?

Thanks

For specific details on the course content, assessments and lecturers for all seven 300 level MICR papers, plus much more, visit:
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, New Zealand

Personally, I haven't had much experience with the MICR332 paper, since I decided last minute to change majors, however I have taken MICR334 and can tell you a little bit about it. Firstly, if you're looking solely for good grades in 300 level papers, I would recommend sticking to ANAT and PHSL papers (particularly ANAT332, PHSL345 and PHSL342). The design of the course is not very well structured - for example, the lectures were packed with content (sometimes 50 slides per lecture) plus readings from an essential text, and this content was assumed by all the students to be 'sufficient information to score a good grade.' In the last lecture of the 3rd module (Immunology), our lecturer (Alex McLellan) claimed that reciting only what was presented in the lectures would give you a score between an E and B+, and that "in order to score in the A range, we expect to see material outside of the lectures." In other words, you're expected to understand and memorise all the concepts in the lectures PLUS a tonne of random research articles which may or may not be related to the question asked. It also doesn't help that the final exam is worth 80% (some find that more preferable, and I used to find that preferable until essay components were introduced). In HSFY, the final exams were worth 70%, but the structure of the exams themselves consisted of MCQs, SAQs and/or the occasional mini essay. Third year is a whole new beast - 4 essays in 3 hours. To give you a rough idea of the marking criteria, I recited a lot (not everything) of what was in the lectures, plus 2-3 research articles per question and ended up with a B+ overall (77%). A friend of mine scored 94% in this poster assignment we had to do (it was worth 20%), and his final exam result was so bad that he ended up failing the paper.

Verdict: if you're trying for med/dent, avoid this paper and any 300 level BIOC, GENE, HUNT etc papers. Your safest bet imho is PHSL and ANAT. If you'd like a comprehensive list of the papers I recommend taking in 3rd year to maximise your chances of a good GPA, please let me know.

EDIT: forgot to mention I scored 84% in the poster assignment thing