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This is probably gonna end up in a discussion about the best classes and the differances between them (atlest i hope it does).
Ok so i got accepted at University for all the classes i applied.
Biophysics
Molecular Biology
Chemistry Major
Biochem Major
Biology Major
Now i know u guys can't choose which program to attend, but i would like if some people who are following some of these programs could tell me what u like/dislike. How are the classes from year to year blabllbalblal.
Personnaly i think i might go into Biophysics, but the biochemistry option looks interesting because from what i was able to see looking trought classes they get rid of all the animal section of biology and go more into a molecular level.
Thanks everyone in advance.
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I think the most important way to start this process for you is what do you want to do with your life/ this degree?
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On March 30 2012 09:39 Cornstyle wrote: I think the most important way to start this process for you is what do you want to do with your life/ this degree?
Ive already analyzed everything that i want out of programs, I narrowed down the list to all of these programs, and while im not sure in which one i want to enter im preaty confident these are the right choices for me.
Im trying to gather a more of a person to person feeling of what the program really looks like.
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"What do you want to be when you grow up?" Should be the first question you ask yourself.
Edit:
On March 30 2012 09:42 Darkren wrote:Show nested quote +On March 30 2012 09:39 Cornstyle wrote: I think the most important way to start this process for you is what do you want to do with your life/ this degree? Ive already analyzed everything that i want out of programs, I narrowed down the list to all of these programs, and while im not sure in which one i want to enter im preaty confident these are the right choices for me. Im trying to gather a more of a person to person feeling of what the program really looks like.
There's a difference between Chemistry and Biochemistry. You can start by telling us about yourself first :D
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Biochem will have a lot more job opportunities than pure animal/plant biology.
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On March 30 2012 09:43 Soleron wrote: Biochem will have a lot more job opportunities than pure animal/plant biology.
I know that and i hate the animal plant part of biology, lets say im more interested in everything that has to do with morphology and cell reactions
Biophysics looks interesting because u are basically doing physics on the micro level of things, so ur studying how physical laws react on the infinetly small.
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On March 30 2012 09:42 Darkren wrote:Show nested quote +On March 30 2012 09:39 Cornstyle wrote: I think the most important way to start this process for you is what do you want to do with your life/ this degree? Ive already analyzed everything that i want out of programs, I narrowed down the list to all of these programs, and while im not sure in which one i want to enter im preaty confident these are the right choices for me. Im trying to gather a more of a person to person feeling of what the program really looks like.
Well once again, I'm sure you've analyzed this but it would help if we know what you actually want to do as a career. That will play a pretty big role in your decision. Its clear you like biology, the next most important thing to deal with is how much do you enjoy physics and the math that comes with that?
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Biophysics/biology are a lot more theoretical research-oriented and dont lead to many job opportunities.
The other three are actually all very similar and interrelated, it just depends on what field of research you like more. Personally I think biology is boring as fuck, but I LOVE chem/orgo.
On March 30 2012 09:46 Darkren wrote:Show nested quote +On March 30 2012 09:43 Soleron wrote: Biochem will have a lot more job opportunities than pure animal/plant biology. I know that and i hate the animal plant part of biology, lets say im more interested in everything that has to do with morphology and cell reactions Biophysics looks interesting because u are basically doing physics on the micro level of things, so ur studying how physical laws react on the infinetly small. Infinitely small???? You're describing quantum physics if anything, nothing to do with bio.
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On March 30 2012 09:46 Cornstyle wrote:Show nested quote +On March 30 2012 09:42 Darkren wrote:On March 30 2012 09:39 Cornstyle wrote: I think the most important way to start this process for you is what do you want to do with your life/ this degree? Ive already analyzed everything that i want out of programs, I narrowed down the list to all of these programs, and while im not sure in which one i want to enter im preaty confident these are the right choices for me. Im trying to gather a more of a person to person feeling of what the program really looks like. Well once again, I'm sure you've analyzed this but it would help if we know what you actually want to do as a career. That will play a pretty big role in your decision. Its clear you like biology, the next most important thing to deal with is how much do you enjoy physics and the math that comes with that?
I alwais liked math and physics and have better grades in them than biology and chem, but i like these programs more for a future. So here i am with these choices.
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I've seen enough people make mistakes with similar fields, and regardless of what you may enjoy or think would be awesome to do as a job/career, please, please, please look into the job market before selecting, and look at reported outlooks for those fields/positions for your area.
I've had many friends and people I went to school with choose their preferred programs because they thought the jobs would be cool, or cause they were really good at them, but all are not working in their fields because the jobs are scarce to non-existent.
Specifically, two were biology majors; one of them put her degree and programs towards switching to an RN program. The other went back to school for social work.
One was a physics major; she was hoping to do work through a university, but has settled on going to teacher's college to teach high school math.
One was a history major; he is considering going back to school and has been stuck doing retail.
And there a few others I can remember off the top of my head. My main point is, don't think what you study is going to be your career. Of the ones I mentioned, they all had trouble finding jobs. Even more people didn't end up enjoying their programs as much as they thought.
Changing majors, and changing your ideals and interests is almost bound to happen to a lot of people taking post-secondary education.
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On March 30 2012 10:54 divito wrote: I've seen enough people make mistakes with similar fields, and regardless of what you may enjoy or think would be awesome to do as a job/career, please, please, please look into the job market before selecting, and look at reported outlooks for those fields/positions for your area.
I've had many friends and people I went to school with choose their preferred programs because they thought the jobs would be cool, or cause they were really good at them, but all are not working in their fields because the jobs are scarce to non-existent.
Specifically, two were biology majors; one of them put her degree and programs towards switching to an RN program. The other went back to school for social work.
One was a physics major; she was hoping to do work through a university, but has settled on going to teacher's college to teach high school math.
One was a history major; he is considering going back to school and has been stuck doing retail.
And there a few others I can remember off the top of my head. My main point is, don't think what you study is going to be your career. Of the ones I mentioned, they all had trouble finding jobs. Even more people didn't end up enjoying their programs as much as they thought.
Changing majors, and changing your ideals and interests is almost bound to happen to a lot of people taking post-secondary education. What this man said. Very few people are guaranteed a job in the same field as their majors, not only because the job market sucks but also because, if you want to do actual work in the field, a BA isn't going to cut it. (Exceptions: econ, CS, engineering off the top of my head.) Everyone else pretty much needs to pursue more education after graduating (whether grad school, law school, med school, or business school) in order to put their degrees to work.
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Hey I made this decision a few years ago and I'm pretty happy where I ended up in a pretty particular area of biochemistry. PM me if you want more details.
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i don't really know your major but there are two classes i believe that everyone should take in college at some point economics 101 and philosophy 101 both of them are pretty hit or miss on whether or not you will like them but they also will provide you with actual skills
and philosophy can really help make you a better learner overall in everything just something that i and a few others found is that people who take philosophy early on generally (within my knowledge) do better in their other classes as well so long as they do the work and show up to class because a lot of philosophy is getting you to be open to new ideas and applying them basically showing you (if you don't already know how) how to teach yourself anything and fully understand concepts (hell it can even help in starcraft in that regard xD)
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Do one of the hybrids
Especially with the sciences, you'll probably switch your major around, and those are the most forgiving for that
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On March 30 2012 09:32 Darkren wrote: This is probably gonna end up in a discussion about the best classes and the differances between them (atlest i hope it does).
Ok so i got accepted at University for all the classes i applied.
Biophysics
Molecular Biology
Chemistry Major
Biochem Major
Biology Major
Now i know u guys can't choose which program to attend, but i would like if some people who are following some of these programs could tell me what u like/dislike. How are the classes from year to year blabllbalblal.
Personnaly i think i might go into Biophysics, but the biochemistry option looks interesting because from what i was able to see looking trought classes they get rid of all the animal section of biology and go more into a molecular level.
Thanks everyone in advance.
I do math/biology and I personally really dislike biology and love math. X.X. Biology in university has too few concepts, too large amt of memorizing in my opinion. The writing is very minimal as well (at least at ubc) which is unfortunate. If i could re-pick I'd definitely do something more conceptual and less about your ability to mass-memorize facts and definitions.
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You are actually in no rush to decide. Sure, you will probably have to mark one down for now but it won't matter until about the beginning of your third year. In your first two years your classes will be about the same no matter which major:
Bio 1,2 Physics 1,2 Calc 1,2 Chem 1,2 Writing course Social Science Course etc
Once you take these (the pre-reqs to most 300 level courses) you will have a better idea of which field interests you the most. So don't worry too much about choosing one now and feeling like you have to stick with it. I'm guessing after taking each of Bio 1, Chem 1 and Physics 1 you will already know what you are going to decide.
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As cruncharoo said, your first 2 years are going to be nearly the exact same regardless of your program.
You can start taking cell biology and intro microbiology in year 2
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Do not make the same mistake I did and make a choice based upon what you enjoy learning. Naturally, this should be one of your concerns but you should keep in mind that your studies will eventually end.
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On March 30 2012 14:14 PleasureImWallace wrote: Do one of the hybrids
Especially with the sciences, you'll probably switch your major around, and those are the most forgiving for that
Everyone is telling me NOT to do hybrids as you won't ever be as educated as the broad classes in both, so that you lack behind the other applicants. You can still study chemistry and choose a biochemistry part later on, so that you are really into it and definetly know what you want to study. Don't make the mistake of choosing a specific class that you might not enjoy anymore in 4 years and is useless for you then.
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On March 30 2012 22:24 Stratos wrote: Do not make the same mistake I did and make a choice based upon what you enjoy learning. Naturally, this should be one of your concerns but you should keep in mind that your studies will eventually end. And I am from the other side of the shore: I made the choice based on career and went with an RN (Nursing) program rather than what I wanted to learn. There are some aspects of my program that I don't enjoy (as with any programs), but in the end I will have a job and that's really all that ever mattered
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