What are the assignments like for BIOA 201, FORB 201 and HUNT 233? (e.g. lab reports, reviews, editorials or journal article e.t.c)
I am thinking of taking the following:
For SS possibly:
BIOA201
S1:
PHSL 345
ANAT 331
(200 level, can be changed): maybe MICR 221
S2:
PATH 301
PHSL 343
(200, level can be changed): maybe MICR 222
I am assuming that you only need to take 6 papers (108 credits in total) and also 4x 300 level papers are sufficient to get biomed degree in 3rd year
do you recommend taking more than 6 papers?
The internal components of each of the papers you've mentioned are listed below:
BIOA201
(I do not recommend taking this paper)
Practical terms test (Lecture + Lab material) 20%
Written Assignment (Lab Report) 20%
Final Exam (SAQ and mini Essays, 2hrs) 60%
FORB201
(I highly recommend taking this paper)
Terms test (SAQ and mini Essays on blood stain analysis and entomology) 20%
Short Blood staining essay 10%
Long Decomposition and entomology essay 30%
Final exam (2 essays, one on blood staining and another on decomposition/entomology, 1hr) 40%
HUNT233
(I recommend taking this paper)
Quizzes (4 quizzes, 5% each) 20%
Assignments (1 is 20%, another is 15%) 35%
Oral presentation 5%
Final exam (MCQ, SAQ and mini essays, 2hrs) 40%
For a more detailed description of each paper, visit the following hyperlinks:
Summer School BIOA 201 , University of Otago, New Zealand
SS FORB 201, University of Otago, New Zealand
Summer School HUNT 233, University of Otago, New Zealand
WRT taking 6 papers, the admissions website states that:
the Medicine Competitive Graduate Category of Admission scoring process will be based on 7 papers (126 points equivalent to Otago) in each academic year of study
So I would take at least 7, but preferrably 8 just to be on the safe side (2 in SS, 3 in each of the subsequent semesters). Taking 2 SS papers and scoring good grades is certainly possible if you choose the right papers and you're really willing to put in the effort. Keep in mind that SS is only 6 weeks, so the pain you'll have to endure is very transient, yet
highly profitable in the long run. With FORB201, you really do not need to attend lectures because out of the 20 odd lectures you are given, only 3-4 are actually assessed throughout the entire paper (assignments, terms tests AND final exam). Which means you will have more time to spend on the other SS paper e.g. HUNT233. As I said before, I've talked to a lot of people who took that paper, and I don't know any who scored less than an A+. They have been repeating the same assignments and final exam questions every year, so just prepare model answers at the start of the course and you're all set to go. Also, a good tip for the assignments is
BE ORIGINAL! For my first assignment, I took a more traditional approach (writing informative paragraphs about the functions and structures of blood stains) and scored 88%. In the long assignment, I tried to be as original as possible, taking photos of myself as a dead corpse, with rice and jam on my body (symbolising wounds and maggots) and I told a story about how a young man was murdered in a dunedin flat, and how the heat pump was broken leaving the temperature cold, and so slowing down the decomposition process and maggot development. I scored 98% for that one. The lecturer is really quirky, so he loves assignments that unconventional. I also mentioned a quote from Dexter that went something like "science is one cold hearted b*tch with a 14-inch strap on." Be original.
I've applied for both FORB 201 and HUNT 233 just incase I decide to do two papers - I have been advised by quite a few of my peers to not do 2 papers at SS, saying that I "won't have a life and one A+ is better than 2 mediocre grades" (these guys did SS, not sure how they did in terms of grades)
Just wondering what the SS workload is like? (if one takes 2 papers) - I haven't done SS before. I'm currently sitting on a first year GPA of 8.75 and 2nd year is treating me well (so far anyway) so I am definitely capable of working hard. If taking 2 papers during the SS period exceeds the workload of taking 4 papers in a semester, I think I'd most likely go with one paper.
I think it's not a bad idea to take 2 (if i can) to make my life a little more easier next year so I can do four 300-Level PHSLs and two 200-levels.
(would still need to take 6 papers regardless, so that I don't lose the "full-time student" tag)
And a final question: Does anyone know for sure that it is the best 126 points provided you pass the requirements of your major? I ask, because if that is the case, if I managed to get a mediocre grade for a 300-level PHSL (still passed it, and did well in all the other PHSLs and the 200-levels), would I be able to substitute that mediocre PHSL paper (in terms of grades) for a SS paper? OR does it have to be included in GPA calculations due to it being essential to my major?
Example:
SS FORB 201: A+
SS HUNT 223: A+
S1 PHSL 341: A
S1 PHSL 342: A
S1 PHSL 345: A
S2 PHSL 343: B+
S2 MICR 223: A+
S2 MICR 222: A+
One important thing I learned (the hard way) about the Competitive Grad pathway is that its not about the
number of papers you take, but rather
which papers you take. A relatively slack person could take 4 papers and score 4 A+s while a hard-working, diligent person could take only 2 papers and score an A- and a B+. What differs between the two is what papers they studied. Different lecturers have different teaching styles and mark differently. This is a
very important point to take home. One of the keys to succeeding in the graduate pathway is asking people who have traveled the road you are about to embark on for advice. Where are the rough patches? The speed bumps? Which route should I avoid? Which road is the smoothest and saves me the most time? With Otago, the departments differ dramatically in the way they deliver their courses, so knowing which papers are most recommended by those who have experience is a positive step in differentiating yourself from the rest of the competition.
The SS workload again depends on which papers you take. FORB201 has a relatively low workload, while HUNT233 (I've heard) is more intense. BIOA201 is very demanding, the material is poorly delivered and the assignments are not only marked harshly, but inconsistently to the marking schedule. They posted a list of the grades for BIOA201 outside the anatomy dept for my year - the top mark was 86% (2 people got that). There were only 6 people who scored A-. HUNT233 had far better marks. This is an example of how choosing the right papers affects your grade - it doesn't matter how much effort you had put into BIOA201, you just were NOT going to get an A+. So choose wisely.
I also asked about the full-time student thing because I took only 2 papers in semester 1. I think you are considered a full time student if you take at least 7 paper throughout the entire year. But I think there's a link on the studylink website that outlines it in more detail. I would also email the admissions committee for more reassurance.
Also, I think as long as you pass your 300 level papers, then your 200s still have the potential to over ride them because the website simply states "your best 7 papers," nothing is mentioned about taking your 300 levels first. But again, I'd flick an email to Beth just to be safe
