Medical Science at UNSW or USyd? (1 Viewer)

[jessi90]

First, the reason I posted in the UNSW forum is that maybe someone like Survivor39 can answer it!

I've made my decision to study Medical Science hoping to get into graduate Med.
Can someone spell out the differences between the 2 courses at each uni? Like what courses offer which subjects in each year etc.

Basically I want to know what my options are in 1st, 2nd and 3rd year, as I know both unis are equally good at what they do. Their websites are so confusing.

 

[katie tully]

At USYD

In first year you will take units in chemistry, mathematics, physics and biology/molecular biology & genetics. In second year medical science is taught in 8 integrated units each built around one of the following themes:

* Cells structure and function;
* Molecular basis of medical sciences;
* Cardiac, respiratory and renal function;
* Digestion, absorption and metabolism;
* Hormones, reproduction and development;
* Sensory and motor functions
* Microbes and body defences
* Disease in society

In third year you will choose from units offered in anatomy and histology, biochemistry, biology (genetics), history and philosophy of science, immunology, infectious diseases, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology and physiology.

At UNSW

Medical science is the area of science which underpins the practice of medicine. It incorporates study of the structure and chemistry of the cells that make up living organisms (Cell & Molecular Biology and Biochemistry) with particular reference to man, and specifically of the structure and function of the human body (Anatomy and Physiology). It then deals with the general processes leading to disease (Pathology), the role of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms in disease (Microbiology) as well as drugs which are used to cure human diseases (Pharmacology). Other areas available for study include the way in which our form and function is inherited (Genetics), the processes of development from the fertilised ovum (Embryology), the natural defences of the body (Immunology) and the study of the structure and function of the brain (Neuroscience).

UNSW has a graduate entry to MBBS for top performing MedSc students
http://www.med.unsw.edu.au/medweb.nsf/resources/GradEntry/$file/GraduateEntryStream.pdf

TBH I really doubt there is a lot of difference in the structure of any MedSc degree across the unis.

First year for most is nearly always basic chem, anat and phys, stats/maths and microbio

Depending on which uni you go to will depend on which subjects you pick for your 2nd/3rd yr electives, also depends what you want to focus on.

 

[jessi90]

thanks katie that was really helpful.

i looked at the unsw course outline and noticed this course: Perspectives in Medical Science - SCIF1111

does USYD have something similar, perhaps hidden under a different name? If not, does anyone know why?

What are the contact hours in year 1, 2 and 3? Lectures/labs/tutorials

Oh, how are the labs at each uni in terms of appearance? UNSW looks like a cleaner and new uni which makes me think that their labs may be cleaner/newer than USYD. I dont think this matters much at all, just curious

 

[katie tully]

USYD has a "history and philosophy of science" unit you can pick from in 3rd year. This would be very similar to the SCIF1111 subject at UNSW.

 

[jessi90]

So the difference is that it is optional at USYD whereas compulsory at UNSW?

 

[Rekkusu]

So the difference is that it is optional at USYD whereas compulsory at UNSW?

The SCIF1111 aren't really too unique courses. You'll be doing each of these once a year for 3 years I believe. And all the teach you is the history and philosophy of medicine, getting you assignments to talk to scientists (interview, etc).

You'll notice that SCIF1111 is a 3 unit course in comparison to the other UNSW courses (6 units), but in reality, there's so much to do just for that SCIF course. This year, it hasn't changed much, some students found that some skills were taught too early and weren't really used until the end of 2nd year.

Both UNSW & USyd follows a similar and set curriculum. One significant difference would be the neuroscience courses offered at UNSW.

 

[Survivor39]

First, the reason I posted in the UNSW forum is that maybe someone like Survivor39 can answer it!

I've made my decision to study Medical Science hoping to get into graduate Med.
Can someone spell out the differences between the 2 courses at each uni? Like what courses offer which subjects in each year etc.

Basically I want to know what my options are in 1st, 2nd and 3rd year, as I know both unis are equally good at what they do. Their websites are so confusing.

Everyone beats me to it.

I basically chose UNSW because of the nice campus. UNSW and Usyd both have excellent reputation. The choice of courses are extremely similar so you could specialise in all areas of medical science at both uni. It's a personal choice really. You might be interested in the MedSc-Med transfer offered in UNSW MedSc if you intend to study medicine.

 

[joshuaali]

The SCIF1111 aren't really too unique courses. You'll be doing each of these once a year for 3 years I believe. And all the teach you is the history and philosophy of medicine, getting you assignments to talk to scientists (interview, etc).

You'll notice that SCIF1111 is a 3 unit course in comparison to the other UNSW courses (6 units), but in reality, there's so much to do just for that SCIF course. This year, it hasn't changed much, some students found that some skills were taught too early and weren't really used until the end of 2nd year.

Both UNSW & USyd follows a similar and set curriculum. One significant difference would be the neuroscience courses offered at UNSW.

SCIF1111 is (now) a 6 unit course usually completed in first year.

You can always do a Science (or Advanced Science) degree and major in a medical/health science.

And yes, at USyd, such a course is not compulsory.

 

[katie tully]

Alternatively mang, you can do MedSc at CSU.

It's really good too, I'd say it's equally as good as UNSW and USYD, without the 'prestige' of attending USYD or UNSW (and if you dont get a UAI of 91 you can totally come to CSU!)

 

[Anonymous1]

One important factor to note is that 12 credit points of junior physics is compulsory in USYD Med Sci. If I remember correctly, this isn't the case at UNSW (Someone to clarify?).

 

[Survivor39]

Yes that's correct. Physics is not compulsory at UNSW MedSc, which is one of the reason I came to UNSW. I would never pick physics as an elective.

 

[joshuaali]

Yes that's correct. Physics is not compulsory at UNSW MedSc, which is one of the reason I came to UNSW. I would never pick physics as an elective.

Haha, I so would've preferred physics over SCIF, but alas, math is a corequisite of physics and I was given only one elective so I could not take both

 

[Survivor39]

Yes, I share your view that SCIF is the most useless and most expensive (Band 3 HECS) course in the entire degree.

 

[jessi90]

Thanks that was very interesting...

I'm doing HSC physics but how is physics at uni? So, at UNSW, can I choose Fundamentals of Physics as an elective in 1st year? Will this help me in the GAMSAT at all since we only need year 12 physics? And am I right to say that we only need 6 credit points of maths (statistics) at unsw whereas we need 12 at usyd?

I've read the handbook on SCIF1111, but was wondering what it really involves?

 

[joshuaali]

I did not do physics but from what I've heard, it is rather difficult. If you choose to do a Bachelor of Medical Science at UNSW, you can choose Fundamentals of Physics as your elective. If you perform well in mathematics (e.g. band E3/E4 in Extension 2 Mathematics), you can negotiate with the School of Physics and they may allow you to do Physics 1A without the corequisite in mathematics.

You are required to complete Statistics for Life Sciences, a 6 unit course, at UNSW. I believe that at USyd, statistics make up only 3 units of credit. The other 9 units in mathematics can be made up of calculus, algebra, etc. Somebody please confirm.

SCIF1111's content covers the philosophy of science and the history of medicine. The tutorials are... random.

 

[jessi90]

joshuaali, how is debating etc in SCIF1111? is it anything major/does everyone have to be involved? more importantly, do u need to have experience in debating? lol, just wondering

 

[joshuaali]

Half of the students there have had no experience in debating and aren't exactly the best at public speaking. I wouldn't call it "major". It is meant to be a team activity and each student must deliver their own argument but some groups can get away with little to no teamwork. If you've had any experience whatsoever in real public speaking/debating, you'll already be amongst the top of your class for this task. Also, the debate is just one of many assignments.

Edit: If I recall correctly, marks are awarded based on your argument rather than delivery.

 

[Rekkusu]

With GAMSAT I don't know really. You'll need to talk to ppl who've done it a couple of times.

In terms of University Physics, it is NOWHERE NEAR HSC physics, thats the general word from most of my friends. Unless if you're really into physics, photovoltaics, astrophysics stuff, I'd avoid where possible.

@Jessi: No u have no need for any experience. A degree will teach you everything from scratch. All u do in those SCIF Tuts is really talk and talk with each other.

That's why the exam is sometimes quite confusing, since no lecture notes are given out, all there is to tuts are talking + scenarios almost like PBLs.

Jessi: I think its quite important to consider where you're heading in your area of study. Do you like for e.g. immunology? Or bacteria or Rotting skin? That's going to help you determine what degree to do.

 

[Anonymous1]

If you where sitting the GAMSAT it would be beneficial to take Physics again during first yr units (even though you took it during HSC) as the level of physics required is slighlty more difficult than the 'HSC Physics' quoted - same with the O Chem. It would also be good revision. You don't have to take the regular or advanced units - you could take Fundamental physics in first semester and the environmental and life sience units in the second semester - or if you have a particular interest in physics you could take the regular or advanced units.

Oh, and there's also the astrology or astronomy (one of them cake sciences - can't remember) going on this semester - they've been trying to recruit us from all the other units because they're not getting the numbers for it.

Also, regarding the math units - it's the same scenario ranging from life science - regular - advanced units. The regular units aren't that difficult and the advanced units are probably worth taking considering the scaling vs extra difficulty value, but once again not necessary at all for GAMSAT.

So if you do decide to do medsci at USYD, you will have to do 4 subjects of mathematics and 2 subjects of physics over two semesters - the difficulty you want to do is entirely up to you.

 

[jessi90]

I'm not really a physics person - I think taking Fundamentals at UNSW will be enough for the GAMSAT. I'd say I'm good at maths but I'm only doing 2 unit maths at school, so obviously advanced units are out of the equation! I think all this is leading me to choose the UNSW course, where we can use minimal physics/maths. And also I don't mind talking (SCIF).

Rekkusu: I have no idea - I think it'd be a fair idea to experience the 1st 2 years of Medical Science before deciding on the area of study in 3rd year?

About advanced units, what's the difference in terms of scaling? Can you still get HDs in regular units?