I am a first-year student to McMaster university, and one thing I would like to know is, how much did you people spend on books when you had, say, 7 subjects.
I'd be a big help for me, Thank you.

A well define question will obtain a well explain answer. Totally depends on the courses you are taking.

I never took a courseload with only 7 courses, so I can't really say...also I pretty much gave up on textbooks after first year. In years 2-4 combined I only bought books for three courses.

But as AvocadoLover mentioned, it depends on the courses you're taking. It also depends on whether or not you choose to buy all of the textbooks.

it also depends if you are planning to buy the textbooks new or used. Can make a big difference as far as price goes.

New > Used from Titles > Used from students (current edition) > Used from students (old edition) > Torrent

Also depends on the degree you're in. It's very possible to spend 600 dollars on 3 books, 600 dollars on everything (new and used pending textbook changes etc) or as little as 200 used for the year (all used).

Generally i've found that the book prices increased dramatically when it came to upper year courses. I never had to pay over 130 for a book in first year (life science). But in third or fourth year, $150+ books become the norm.

Other than that trend, I've found that there are WAY too many factors involved to be able to accurately estimate how much books will cost you. I prefer to buy used, but sometimes the instructor changes the textbook and I'm forced to buy new. Sometimes a course is new and uses a new textbook. Sometimes class sizes are small and it's hard to find used copies. Sometimes classes use a workbook (which is handed in to class) packaged with the textbook, and as a result you're forced to buy new. It goes on and on...

Best advice I can give is that if the books are being paid by someone else (ie: parents), then tell them that it cost around $1K on average. Then simply pocket the saving yourself if there are some.

For science programs, I would generally recommend buying used textbooks.. The materials rarely change in years except for genetic. You just have to think.. Does the materials I am going to learn have changed in recent years? Take math, the materials and concepts haven't changed significantly... I brought the older edition and the info were the same but the qs were a bit different from the recent one.

I would not recommend buying hwk codes.. They can usually be added to your exam.(apprx 10%) If anything, ask a friend if they can let you see their hwk assignment of that week to keep up.

Homework codes are awesome! You pay like $50 and pretty much guarantee 10% of the final course grade. Don't skip it! Hell, if I can pay $500 and get 100% of the final course grade, I would.

I'll be entering Engineering I in September and I was wondering if I should start looking for books now or should I wait till the classes start to find out. Do the editions generally change each year or are there certain books that are safe to by used now?

I would not recommend buying hwk codes.. They can usually be added to your exam.(apprx 10%) If anything, ask a friend if they can let you see their hwk assignment of that week to keep up.

Sounds like cheating.

I'll be entering Engineering I in September and I was wondering if I should start looking for books now or should I wait till the classes start to find out. Do the editions generally change each year or are there certain books that are safe to by used now?

If you want to start studying ahead, you can buy them now, just ask profs about the books that will be used. As there's no way to know what books will be used for sure.

If you don't want to, and/or want to save, wait until the school starts, as that's when students start selling their used books, and when engineering book swap happens.

Abebooks. I cop what would be $200+ textbooks for <$30. It's pretty excellent.

Originally Posted by MrPlinkett

If you want to start studying ahead, you can buy them now, just ask profs about the books that will be used. As there's no way to know what books will be used for sure.

If you don't want to, and/or want to save, wait until the school starts, as that's when students start selling their used books, and when engineering book swap happens.

Don't listen to this guy. He is not giving information in your best benefit.

Eng 1 books can all be found online (including valuable solution manuals). You get a free math book even when you purchase Webassign codes (online homework). The only thing you need to buy is a lab manuals for Chemistry and Physics.

If you want used books, start buying them NOW. Once school starts, there will be many more students wanting the same thing so you have reduce negotiation power and increase in prices. Its like buying winter coats in the summer when its cheap.

Originally Posted by DigitalE

I'll be entering Engineering I in September and I was wondering if I should start looking for books now or should I wait till the classes start to find out. Do the editions generally change each year or are there certain books that are safe to by used now?

The books DO change sometimes, usually to a newer edition, but most of the time both older and newer editions could be used for the course. As someone else mentioned, pretty much all first year engineering books (with the exception of 1P03 and 1C03 books) can be found as pdf or ebooks. I would suggest waiting until you actually start class and figure out if you need a brand new one (if the course only accepts a new edition), or no physical text book at all!

Good luck!