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

[gotmydegree]

Thanks for your reply! I think I'll prob end up going for GENE222, it does open up more 300 papers next year in case anything goes wrong - although MICR223 has a new learning approach this year where you watch lectures online and turn up for 'tutorial lectures,' I don't think it changes the fact that its pretty content heavy haha. For GENE22, is there anything you would recommend people watch out or / be prepared for?

I'm also taking ANAT243 and GENE223 this sem - if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated

On a side note, I'm looking for a 4th paper to boost by grades - has anyone recently done ENGL228 and how did they find it? I heard that it used to internally assessed but after emailing the course convenor it seems like theres a 50% final exam as well as a 8 min oral presentation :,)

From what I remember (and bearing in mind it was a couple of years ago now), GENE222 content load wasn’t actually that big. There were a few key concepts that they emphasise, and if you get them locked down you’ll be fine for the finals. I found that the optional tutorials they provide were really useful for prepping exam answers if you get a demonstrator who is willing to help you out, make the most of those. Plus T here’s an assignment that I think was on linkage mapping which was around 10% and marked according to a mark scheme that they give you prior, so just stick to that and you’ll be grand.

I did ANTH203 in second sem 3rd year and got an A+ which worked well as a grade booster. I thought that it was really enjoyable however I wouldn’t recommend it if you aren’t comfortable with essay writing as I think it was 2x 25% internal essays and an ?open book? 50% final (I can’t remember if it was open or closed book)

 

[omomomo]

Does anyone have any recent experience with ENGL228? I'm able to do a late enrolment for a 4th paper that I want to use as a booster but cannot decide between ENGL228 and ASIA201

ENGL228
+ I've heard good things
+ Small workload comparatively
- Has been changed to have a final exam this year, as its new I'm not sure how hard it is and if it would make my end of sem exam schedule really busy
+ would be useful for the future
- 8 min oral presentation worth 20% sounds a bit daunting....


ASIA201
- Never heard anyone take it before
+ Same workload a ENGL228
+ Small presentation, not sure how long but is only worth 5%
+ Content sounds interesting, I'm a little more interested in this over 228
- Not sure if its actually really chill, but went to the 1st lecture for fun and it seems chill?
+ Meet the prof, she seem really nice

I'm interested in both - does anyone have any suggestions to which they would choose?

 

[muffincake1]

Hi, I am currently a second year student with the hopes of getting into medicine from the graduate pathway. It seems like the required GPA is increasing every year so am aiming for a weighted GPA of around 8.75 or higher by the end of my third year.

First year went pretty shit so ideally I want to take as many second year papers as possible to replace them -> I will therefore be doing PXSS and SS and aim to do one second year in PXSS and two during SS (if this is possible).
I am currently doing Biomedsci and my sem 1 papers were: PHSL231, ANAT241, MICR221. I regret not doing 4 papers, and ended up with A- in all three of them. I'm currently doing (in sem 2): ANAT242, PHSL233, PHSL232, MICR223.

Currently I have only done Bsc papers and didn't do an 8th paper last year with FYHS but I don't really understand how the requirements of the Biomedsci works. During PXSS or SS will I be able to take whatever papers because I have met the required points already with all Bsc papers?

For example, I am currently looking at doing MATS201 during summer school and something like EDU252 as an extra second year paper during my third year. Will I be able to use these towards my weighted GPA? If I am able to take more additional non Bsc papers then what would you guys recommend? I'm aware MAOR and STATS are quite easy but didn't do the first year papers so don't have the prerequisites to take their second year papers during SS or PXSS. Thanks

 

[omomomo]

Hi, I am currently a second year student with the hopes of getting into medicine from the graduate pathway. It seems like the required GPA is increasing every year so am aiming for a weighted GPA of around 8.75 or higher by the end of my third year.

First year went pretty shit so ideally I want to take as many second year papers as possible to replace them -> I will therefore be doing PXSS and SS and aim to do one second year in PXSS and two during SS (if this is possible).
I am currently doing Biomedsci and my sem 1 papers were: PHSL231, ANAT241, MICR221. I regret not doing 4 papers, and ended up with A- in all three of them. I'm currently doing (in sem 2): ANAT242, PHSL233, PHSL232, MICR223.

Currently I have only done Bsc papers and didn't do an 8th paper last year with FYHS but I don't really understand how the requirements of the Biomedsci works. During PXSS or SS will I be able to take whatever papers because I have met the required points already with all Bsc papers?

For example, I am currently looking at doing MATS201 during summer school and something like EDU252 as an extra second year paper during my third year. Will I be able to use these towards my weighted GPA? If I am able to take more additional non Bsc papers then what would you guys recommend? I'm aware MAOR and STATS are quite easy but didn't do the first year papers so don't have the prerequisites to take their second year papers during SS or PXSS. Thanks

I'm doing Biomed as well and had a similar problem because I chose to do a lot of arts papers to boost my GPA

From what I found, Biomed requirements are different to Bsci requirements, as long as you meet the core requirements (aka doing the required papers + whatever more points from the list they give you) you should be fine and be able to do whatever you want, at least according to the course advice people - though SS can be really busy so doing 2 papers might be intense (also its a good time to prep for UCAT around then).
I'd recommend looking at the excel spreadsheet that the med school provides for post grad students for seeing how many papers count towards your degree! My understanding is that all 2nd year papers count towards your GPA so you def want to do as much as possible, whereas 3rd year papers they take your top 6.67 ish or something like that, so doing 7 is recommended. (I might be wrong though)
As for easier papers, I did end up doing ASIA201 and it was the easiest paper I have ever done. Its all internals and the professor literally tells you what is going to be on the test, so if you have an interest in Asian media its a pretty good paper. In terms of 300, I'm not sure what is considered easy (I'm looking for 300 papers too), but I am planning on doing bioethics and I've heard good things.

 

[crispr]

Thanks for your reply! I think I'll prob end up going for GENE222, it does open up more 300 papers next year in case anything goes wrong - although MICR223 has a new learning approach this year where you watch lectures online and turn up for 'tutorial lectures,' I don't think it changes the fact that its pretty content heavy haha. For GENE22, is there anything you would recommend people watch out or / be prepared for?

I'm also taking ANAT243 and GENE223 this sem - if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated

On a side note, I'm looking for a 4th paper to boost by grades - has anyone recently done ENGL228 and how did they find it? I heard that it used to internally assessed but after emailing the course convenor it seems like theres a 50% final exam as well as a 8 min oral presentation :,)

Sorry for the super late reply, I was just scrolling the forum and I'm guessing you're a REGD major? I'm just about the finish my third year in REGD so can give any repro/development/genetics paper advice if needed for third year! Good luck for your exams

 

[Bob435]

Hello, I have completed HSFY but my graded wasn't good enough for med, so I'm currently thinking of majoring in physiology (BSc) and apply for med through graduate category. Do you guys have any recommendation for 200 and 300 level papers that I can get A or A+ in.

 

[medhopeful!292]

Hey, my friend and I aren't positive abt our chances for med. Could someone give us a run down of what degree to do, and which one is the easiest to do best in. We prefer science based subject(but NOT chemistry or physics), more abt human body and stuff.
Should we do Bbiomed or Bsc.

Thanks for the help

 

[jiako]

Hi,

I have completed a Bsc in Anatomy and I thought I'd give you a run down on what the ANAT papers are like and how I found them.

ANAT241: Modules 1 and 2 material was about organelles and their function (very similar material covered in HUBS) and module 3 covers the anatomy of the lower limb, upper limb and gait cycle which I seem to really enjoy. I found the paper easy and got A+ mainly because I do enjoy learning about the human anatomy which helped immensely when it came to ANAT331. Imo you should ideally pick papers with content you would enjoy doing.

ANAT242: Module 1 covered the anatomical structure and function of the brain (meninges, ventricular system, arterial blood supply and nerves) which refreshes HUBS191 content. Module 2 covered the cellular structure of the brain (function of neurons, glia and action potentials). Module 3 was about autonomy and neuroethics. I have to say with this paper, it was interesting to have ethics as part of the paper but nevertheless module 3 was nothing complicated and I found that this paper builds on from HUB191. Like ANAT241 I really enjoyed this paper and found the content very interesting and got A+ as well.

ANAT243: The whole of module 1 was essentially a refresher of the male and female hormones (testosterone, oestrogen) and sex cells (oocyte and sperm) as covered in HUBS192 and so everything was already familiar. Module 2 was about fertilisation, placement and development and module 3 covered heart and limb development as well as how some other organs develop. I ended up getting an A with this paper.

Every lecturer who coordinate these ANAT papers always say reminded us to look over our anatomy notes as most of the content for 200 level anat papers are very similar but if you forget dw they have like 2 lectures that essentially covers the material covered in HUBS to refresh your memory.

If you have any more questions regarding content and how ANAT papers are structured feel free to dm me

 

[crispr]

Hey, my friend and I aren't positive abt our chances for med. Could someone give us a run down of what degree to do, and which one is the easiest to do best in. We prefer science based subject(but NOT chemistry or physics), more abt human body and stuff.
Should we do Bbiomed or Bsc.

Thanks for the help

Hey! Base your degree off what papers you both enjoyed most and did best in HSFY. I personally liked BBioMedSc because the papers were really structured and I liked having them all laid out for me, as opposed to having more freedom. Some feel the opposite as they may not actually love their biomed major and want more paper freedom w/ BSci.

 

[mmxpp4432]

Hey, does anyone know anything about how difficult and interesting RELS 237 is? I’m considering taking it for summer school.

 

[georgeani]

Hello all!
I'm looking at doing a BBioMedSci in genetics, repro, and development and was just wondering if people enjoyed this degree? I was also wondering what second-year papers outside the core 3 people recommend (for other the 54 points needed). There are a lot of different options that everyone seems to feel differently about which makes choosing very hard!
I did hsfy in 2023 and wasn't sure what I wanted to do- I'm not sure if I'll end up trying to post-grad into med but I'm trying to keep my options open!
Thank you

 

[crispr]

Hello all!
I'm looking at doing a BBioMedSci in genetics, repro, and development and was just wondering if people enjoyed this degree? I was also wondering what second-year papers outside the core 3 people recommend (for other the 54 points needed). There are a lot of different options that everyone seems to feel differently about which makes choosing very hard!
I did hsfy in 2023 and wasn't sure what I wanted to do- I'm not sure if I'll end up trying to post-grad into med but I'm trying to keep my options open!
Thank you

Me! Loved REGD so so much. Definitely recommend GENE222 and GENE223 for sem 2. PATH201 was over-hated and I loved it - potentially the most medically-relevant, too. I also liked/found easy both ANAT241 and ANAT243.

 

[user84279]

Hi I wanted to ask if there are any papers required for medicine graduate entry at the University of Otago. I saw on the website there is no preference for any degrees but wanted to confirm with others. Thanks.

Also, would you guys recommend spacing out my papers if I am doing a bachelor of science or another degree? Is it a bad idea to do 4 papers per semester?

 

[delta47]

Hi I wanted to ask if there are any papers required for medicine graduate entry at the University of Otago. I saw on the website there is no preference for any degrees but wanted to confirm with others. Thanks.

The only papers that are required are the HSFY papers, (CELS191, CHEM191, PHSI191, HUBS191, HUBS192, POPH192, BIOC192).

 

[user84279]

The only papers that are required are the HSFY papers, (CELS191, CHEM191, PHSI191, HUBS191, HUBS192, POPH192, BIOC192).

Great. Thanks.

 

[delta47]

Also, would you guys recommend spacing out my papers if I am doing a bachelor of science or another degree? Is it a bad idea to do 4 papers per semester?

I would recommend doing 4 papers a semester if you can manage the workload, but it is up to you. Also, I would recommend you complete as many 200 level papers as possible, as they are weighted higher towards your GPA. If you have any questions, happy to chat in a DM

 

[user84279]

I would recommend doing 4 papers a semester if you can manage the workload, but it is up to you. Also, I would recommend you complete as many 200 level papers as possible, as they are weighted higher towards your GPA. If you have any questions, happy to chat in a DM

Sorry, I am not very familiar with the GPA system. I thought the weighting was as follows: 100-level is 0.5. 200-level is 0.8. 300-level is 1.2. 400-level is 1.5. Would it not be better to do other levels as well?

 

[user84279]

Ok, will PM. Thanks

 

[Bob435]

Does anyone know if SPEX papers are easy at 200 and 300 level, and what type of assessment style they have ?

 

[medhopeful!292]

Hi, i did hsfy in 2023 and just applied to do a biomed in 2024. Does anyone known when I will be accepted into the programme and can start adding papers??

Also, Im on the waiting list for med, will my med application be affected if I apply to other programmes while waiting?

Thanks