The Thread for ALL FIRST YEAR QUESTIONS. (4 Viewers)

[missanonymous7]

ok, so i applied to switch from Comm/Arts to Comm/Sci so that i can major in psyc....only problem is that i hate Chem/Physics.
I need to fill up 84 UOC on the science side. 54 of which im using on psyc.
Does anyone know any really easy biology/environmental science based subjects i could use to fill up the science side of my degree? I looked some up but i don't think i c an cope with 3/4 hours labs :O insane....

From someone who's just done 1 semester of a biology major, here's a tip:

AVOID BIOS1301: Ecology, Sustainability and Environmental Science LIKE THE PLAGUE.

In fact, this very interestingly-worded description sums it up:

Bios1301:0/10
I am so regret to choose this course...A waste of money and time...To be honest the professor who is responsible for this course didn't organise it very good...Damn's lectures r so stupid and sleepy...some pictures with one word consists his PPT...Oh my god...how can I choose this course~:burn:

Try BABS1201: Molecules, Cells and Genes. It's a good starting point for anything biology-related, and (compared to chem especially) isn't too difficult. The lecturers are good too, and the assessments are very very easy.
Also, for that course especially, the labs almost never go for the full 3 or 4 hours. In fact, one of my labs, I was out after only 1 hour And even if they are long, they're really relaxed.

Also, I think science communication courses count as 'science' courses, brb checking handbook...
EDIT: OK it seems science communication technically falls under the heading of 'science schools' here: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/programs/2009/3970.html but I don't think you're actually able to do them as science courses in your degree. Maybe send off some emails if you're interested?

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[Justina]

ok cool, i think i'll definitely do BABS1201 then. Thanks for reassuring me about the labs, lol, they were really freaking me out.

I might ask around about science communication, it sounds like a breeze.
Thanks for the advice

 

[deadfishlol]

If geology/geography is your thing, GEOS1701 (Environmental Systems and Processes) and GEOS1211 (Environmental Earth Science) are quite easy/fun too. Labs are really easy too, nothing like the chemistry labs.

Ditto on BIOS1301, terrible subject (pretty bludgy though)

Also avoid BIOS1101 if you can, biggest WAM killer in 1st year.

 

[missanonymous7]

Also avoid BIOS1101 if you can, biggest WAM killer in 1st year.

Can I ask a question myself actually, what is it about BIOS1101 that's so difficult? I've heard totally conflicting reports about it; most people (like you) seem to say it's really really hard, but on the other hand the uni emailed me saying that if you got over 75 for HSC Bio, you don't even need to take the course, implying that it's a rehash of HSC Bio and would therefore be fairly easy?

 

[deadfishlol]

Can I ask a question myself actually, what is it about BIOS1101 that's so difficult? I've heard totally conflicting reports about it; most people (like you) seem to say it's really really hard, but on the other hand the uni emailed me saying that if you got over 75 for HSC Bio, you don't even need to take the course, implying that it's a rehash of HSC Bio and would therefore be fairly easy?

I didn't do HSC biology, but from what I heard HSC biology only helps a little.

BIOS1101 is a WAM killer because of the massive amount of content that is also incredibly hard to study for because it's 99% rote learning and memorisation. The pre-lab tests (especially the first few labs) regularly have class average of <50%. They test on the most redundant things and they *intentionally* make them insane just to scare people. The lab exam at the end is also incredibly difficult (again, class average is around 30-40% every year).

In 2005, only 6 people got HDs.

If you're enthusiastic about biology though, it won't be all that bad. I know a couple of people also doing biology majors who did well in BIOS1101.

 

[Justina]

If geology/geography is your thing, GEOS1701 (Environmental Systems and Processes) and GEOS1211 (Environmental Earth Science) are quite easy/fun too. Labs are really easy too, nothing like the chemistry labs.

Ditto on BIOS1301, terrible subject (pretty bludgy though)

Also avoid BIOS1101 if you can, biggest WAM killer in 1st year.

I wanted to do geography but the guy at the student centre today told me i couldn't....
Geology sounds interesting. Hey does the fact the comm/sci isn't listed here: UNSW Handbook Specialisation - Geology mean that i can't do it?

 

[Justina]

I was told by one of my tutors that i can access final exam past papers on the library site - anyone know how to find them?

 

[Uncle]

I was told by one of my tutors that i can access final exam past papers on the library site - anyone know how to find them?

MyCourse - Basic Search

Type in your course code
e.g. I typed in MMAN2100 and it gave me a few past papers for that subject from a few years ago.

 

[Justina]

thanks

 

[Omium]

MyCourse - Basic Search

Type in your course code
e.g. I typed in MMAN2100 and it gave me a few past papers for that subject from a few years ago.

Why did i only find out about this now ?

Thanks, you've increased my marks in my finals by at least 5.

 

[Uncle]

Why did i only find out about this now ?

Thanks, you've increased my marks in my finals by at least 5.

I thought you'd ask your lecturer, "How come there are no past papers on WebCT?".
Two lecturers said I can download them from the library so that's how I found the link.

Also another thing to be careful of,
Since the engineering courses were reorganised circa 2006, MMAN2400 for example only has 1 past paper.
Its previous name was MECH2411, once you type in MECH2411 it produces more results than MMAN2400 does.
This may apply to other faculties.

 

[himynameisho]

How do we get to randwick from central???

 

[Omie Jay]

There are special express busses that take students straight to the racecourse, cant remember their number, but they say "Randwick Racecourse".

I wasnt too sure myself last year when i had my first exam, i got on a bus which said "Randwick", i asked the driver if bus goes to Randwick Racecourse, he says "You uni student doing exam?"
"I said yes"
he said "Get on"

..lol, so yeah, if ur unsure then u can always ask the driver.

Someone else can confirm the bus number, if they have any.

edit: there's also public busses that stop at the racecourse, cant remember number... gee im a lot of help

 

[shinji]

The buses that go to Randwick (public) are 37x (i believe it's 372).

Be warned though: get there earlier because there WILL be a rush to get onto the buses.

If all else fails, get some friends and chip in to take a taxi. I did that once because the buses were all full and none were coming any time soon.

 

[himynameisho]

yeah dude im gonna get to central at like quarter to 8. haha. and freeze. this is how much i freak out just to get to an exam room.

The buses (randwick express and 37x) are at the central station bus stops where we get on the 891 yeah?

thanks in advance

 

[hollyy.]

i think its this?
https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/academiclife/assessment/examinations/Transport.html

 

[Omium]

i think its this?
https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/academiclife/assessment/examinations/Transport.html

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Repped.

 

[grindinglenses]

Hi, I have a quick question, I'm not sure where to look up on this, I figure I can get a quick reply here.. maybe.

So if I have a lecture with the following dates/times

Is that the same lecture available on two separate days, or are those dates for a sequence of lectures that will be given twice a week?

Thanks.



Wed 10:00 am - 11:00 am (2-7,8-13)Thu 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (2-7,8-13)

 

[Tim035]

That would be a sequence of lectures, i.e. thursday's lecture will continue on from / not be the same as wednesday's lecture.

 

[grindinglenses]

Cool, thanks a lot. I wasn't quite sure because there was another option, for a single day only.