Too many optional units at Macquarie? (1 Viewer)

[HETA]

So I'm starting a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biomolecular Sciences at Macquarie. Of course, I have to choose some units that have nothing to do with my course or major because the science degree alone does not take up any units and there are only 2 100 level major units. I have to take basic chemistry as well so that makes up 3 units. I need 8 for the year, 4 for each semester.
My problem is that in order to take up the necessary amount of units, I had to choose 5 (!) subjects that are irrelevant to my major, including philosophy, sociology and stuff like that. Is this really acceptable for my first year at university? My timetable is now ridiculously full. The submitted program form that contains all this information was approved by a person that works in my department. Advice from people who were in a similar position would be much appreciated.

 

[demonduckofdoom]

I had the course you're doing down as my second preference
It's usually the same at all uni's for first year science.

When I did my first year of Biomedical Science at UTS I had to do physics + environmental science + ecology - which as you can see doesn't really fit in with biomedical sciences at all, maybe physics but certainly not the other two. They are usually there under the guise that they provide first year studnets with a 'well rounded' view on science.

Were you not able to choose any science related subjects instead of arts ones? You should definitely be able to choose some subjects from any of the other science majors. You should be able to take some subjects from the medical science course as well. If I were you, I'd be enrolling in some biology subjects for first year, such as BIOL114: EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY, if you haven't already done so. Anything biological/cell biology will help you greatly with this major - as it's all about molecular biology + microbiology.

With my degree, I have to take 144 credit points, and only 74 of those credit points are made up of my major, another 18 credit points of science subjects and the rest are electives - which I've filled with science related subjects.

 

[HETA]

I had the course you're doing down as my second preference
It's usually the same at all uni's for first year science.

When I did my first year of Biomedical Science at UTS I had to do physics + environmental science + ecology - which as you can see doesn't really fit in with biomedical sciences at all, maybe physics but certainly not the other two. They are usually there under the guise that they provide first year studnets with a 'well rounded' view on science.

Were you not able to choose any science related subjects instead of arts ones? You should definitely be able to choose some subjects from any of the other science majors. You should be able to take some subjects from the medical science course as well. If I were you, I'd be enrolling in some biology subjects for first year, such as BIOL114: EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY, if you haven't already done so. Anything biological/cell biology will help you greatly with this major - as it's all about molecular biology + microbiology.

With my degree, I have to take 144 credit points, and only 74 of those credit points are made up of my major, another 18 credit points of science subjects and the rest are electives - which I've filled with science related subjects.

Thanks for your reply. I'm doing:

Introduction to Brain, Behaviour and Evolution, Human Biology, Introductory Chemistry (because I didn't do HSC Chemistry) and Philosophy, Morality and Society for my first semester and The Thread of Life, Organic and Biological Chemistry, History and Philosophy of the Molecular Sciences and Economy and Society for the second.
I tried to choose some things that are a little bit relevant to my major and some that I find interesting but it's good to know that others are also doing unrelated things. I had to choose a 'people' unit and 'planet' unit, one unit outside of my faculty and one outside of my department.

​

 

[demonduckofdoom]

I have to do 2 "general education" units as well for my new course, which can't be science. So they're arts.

History and Philosohpy of Molecular Sciences does sound interesting, and whilst it isn't exactly laboratory work, it is nice to learn some background information as to how certain techniques came to be Your first year subjects sound pretty good, and I'm sure you'll do well in the people and planet units. I think it happens with a lot of science degrees, because they need to be able to produce scientists who have communication skills, and are seen to have had a well rounded education. I think maybe it happens at other courses too. Good luck with everything and I hope you enjoy biomolecular sciences as much as I do

 

[FTW]

So I'm starting a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biomolecular Sciences at Macquarie. Of course, I have to choose some units that have nothing to do with my course or major because the science degree alone does not take up any units and there are only 2 100 level major units. I have to take basic chemistry as well so that makes up 3 units. I need 8 for the year, 4 for each semester.
My problem is that in order to take up the necessary amount of units, I had to choose 5 (!) subjects that are irrelevant to my major, including philosophy, sociology and stuff like that. Is this really acceptable for my first year at university? My timetable is now ridiculously full. The submitted program form that contains all this information was approved by a person that works in my department. Advice from people who were in a similar position would be much appreciated.

Just so you know you aren't only limited to the 100 level units. Make sure you check through the handbook thoroughly though as you may be able to take some 200 level units (I'm not sure as I am not doing your degree). Just make sure that you look at the prerequisites needed and which semester they are studied in, to make sure you can do them.

Since you seem to not want to do all these electives, you could get over and done with you people and planet units in your first year.

Also if I were you I certainly wouldn't complain, as you have much more leniency than people with a much more rigid degree structure.

 

[kkmok]

Just so you know you aren't only limited to the 100 level units. Make sure you check through the handbook thoroughly though as you may be able to take some 200 level units (I'm not sure as I am not doing your degree). Just make sure that you look at the prerequisites needed and which semester they are studied in, to make sure you can do them.

Since you seem to not want to do all these electives, you could get over and done with you people and planet units in your first year.

Also if I were you I certainly wouldn't complain, as you have much more leniency than people with a much more rigid degree structure.

most 200 level you need to get enough cp (credit point) to do it?

something like FBE204 you need 24cp (8subjects)

There is some 200 level you can do in first year such as acst212 which I did it before (core unit)

-------------------------------
To OP:
why not taking any statistic or mathematics unit as optional unit?

 

[MQ-MANAGER]

100 level Required Units
Organic and Biological Chemistry CBMS103 & The Thread of Life BIOL115

>>>are the only two REQUIRED units for your degree @ 100 Level; however you can choose any other science related (or other) units at 100 level as long as you satisfy any prerequisite necessary re HSC etc. You should be looking at CHEM & BIOL subjects- any that take your fancy however you should hurry as it is difficult to add units after 2nd week.