Faculty of Science
Discussion Thread

Science is a dynamic field that is all about discovery. It represents far more than the familiar stereotype of facts, concepts, and research skills. It unleashes a lifelong passion for learning, and explores the frontiers of knowledge. Science is about learning how, where, and why to search for answers, and how to think logically.

McMaster’s Faculty of Science has award-winning faculty and staff who are dedicated to the enhancement of your learning through practical hands-on instruction. McMaster promotes self-directed learning and is committed to the integration of teaching and research at all levels.

Those who graduate from any of our Science Programs can take their place as specialist scientists, but also have the educational background to pursue careers in a wide range of other areas and professions such as medicine, education, dentistry, and law.

Science I
Level I science courses are 3-unit courses which are one term in duration. As a result, Level I students have significant flexibility in choosing their courses. Students are encouraged to assess their performance in the first term, and may change their course selection for the second term to better suit their needs and interests.

Mathematics & Statistics I
McMaster offers a direct entry Level I Mathematics & Statistics Programme. Details regarding the admission requirements and programme structure can be found in the Year I Handbook and the Medical Radiation Sciences Programme brochure. Although the Level I Mathematics & Statistics Programme is the preferred entry point for programmes in Mathematics and Statistics, students are able to enter Level II by completing any Level I programme (along with the required Level I courses).

For more information please check the Mathematics & Statistics web site.

Medical Radiation Sciences I
A new collabrative programme with Mohawk College and McMaster University will begin in September 2004. The programme leads to a professional Diploma from Mohawk College and a Bachelor of Science degree from McMaster University. Details regarding the admission requirements and programme structure can be found in the Year I Handbook and the Medical Radiation Sciences Programme brochure.

For more information please check the Medical Radiation Sciences web site.

The FACULTY OF SCIENCE includes the following!

• DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
• DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
• DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
• DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTING AND SOFTWARE
• SCHOOL OF GEOGRAPHY AND EARTH SCIENCES
• DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY
• MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
• DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS
• MEDICAL PHYSICS AND APPLIED RADIATION SCIENCES
• MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCES
• MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
• DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
• DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY, NEUROSCIENCE AND BEHAVIOUR

im so nervous about the course load...what if i dont understand somthin?
also, iv heard that u cud like eat the book up and the exam has nothing to do with the textbooks..like whats the best way to study in the SCIENCE program?

I'm not in science, so I can't give you any specific information.

However, if you don't understand something ASK A QUESTION. You don't have to ask your prof in lecture, but do so in their office hours or after class. You can also ask your TA in tutorial. In some residences there are also formal study groups (there is often one set up for physics with a witty acronym I can't remember). Or, you could always make your own. Aasand, lastly, befriend upper-year students, (ie your WW reps and RLS staff), as they can help you out as well. You have all kinds of resources at your fingertips, use them.

Originally Posted by Amara*

im so nervous about the course load...what if i dont understand somthin?
also, iv heard that u cud like eat the book up and the exam has nothing to do with the textbooks..like whats the best way to study in the SCIENCE program?

Best way to study for any course in Science?

-GO TO CLASS (I know most of you think you will, but this usually changes when you get to university)
-Take GOOD notes
-Take the time to review your notes
-Don't study a day or two in advance, study a week ahead if possible. (Usually you'll be aware of all your midterms after you get your course outline from the prof or via online *WebCT is your life in first year*)
-Do practice problems

I guess the main thing is to understand what the prof is teaching. If you take the notes and don't understand it, then theres no point in jotting it all down in the first place right?

If you list what courses you're taking next year with the prof, I might be able to give you a few pointers on what may be on midterms? lol

lol thnks for the helpful info!
really appreaciate it
im taking
bio 1a03 /1aa3
chem 1a03/1aa3
pysch 1a03/1aa3
inquiry
health studies(although i proly wil switch the elective ifcuz i dont kno how it is)
stats


do they usually test from the textbooks for exams adn tests or is it pure lecture?

I don't think there's a specific Faculty of Science policy in regards to where the material on tests/exams are from (lectures vs textbook). However, in the Biology 1AO3 syllabus (pdf warning), they indicate that "Tests and Final Exams will include some concepts and current experimental work, which are not discussed in your textbook. These topics will be discussed exclusively during lectures." We should expect evaluation material to be from both lectures and textbooks =)

generally all classes take their testing material from a variety of sources; primarily what is covered in class, but also textbooks, videos, etc.

What both Kenneth and Lorend said is correct, especially for biology. Most of the questions (I found) were from both lectures/the textbook.

Pay attention in lectures. I find that some of the profs like to just drop a point here or there that isn't cover in their lecture notes, that show up on a test.

For Stats:
-for the midterms, do questions from the previous midterms (they like to re-use those questions)
-for the exam, KNOW how you did all those questions from your midterms/textbook examples and questions because usually the exam will really be based on what you've learned.

For Psych:
It's tough to say for psych. Sometimes some of the questions will come from the online bank of questions.. other times there'll be a midterm just full of conceptual questions from the textbook or examples that you have to REALLY think through.

For Chem:
Go to class, do the problems, practice, practice, practice. And go to the weekly tutorials, they really help. ^_~

I didn't take inquiry/health studies last year so I can't say much about them.

Originally Posted by Cuppycake

What both Kenneth and Lorend said is correct, especially for biology. Most of the questions (I found) were from both lectures/the textbook.

Pay attention in lectures. I find that some of the profs like to just drop a point here or there that isn't cover in their lecture notes, that show up on a test.

For Stats:
-for the midterms, do questions from the previous midterms (they like to re-use those questions)
-for the exam, KNOW how you did all those questions from your midterms/textbook examples and questions because usually the exam will really be based on what you've learned.

For Psych:
It's tough to say for psych. Sometimes some of the questions will come from the online bank of questions.. other times there'll be a midterm just full of conceptual questions from the textbook or examples that you have to REALLY think through.

For Chem:
Go to class, do the problems, practice, practice, practice. And go to the weekly tutorials, they really help. ^_~

I didn't take inquiry/health studies last year so I can't say much about them.

so do they usually post up past mid terms so that students may study them or do you have to find them yourself somehow?

Sometimes you can find old copies in the libraries; but some profs don't do that. Obviously the tests won't be the same year to year especially if there are copies in the libraries.

You can maybe ask your reps and see if they have old tests as well; that may help you too.

The profs post tests from previous years as practice for almost all first year science courses. The only exceptions are small classes and new teachers. You'll have lots of online practice tests available for chemistry, biology, and math, so I wouldn't worry too much.
As long as you do the practice tests and come to class you should do very well. Don't stress over anything

Paul

I found most of the old midterms through learnlink. And last year, the midterms were posted on webct (for bio and chem) and for stats, the midterms were in the workbook you have to buy for the course.

hey ..i really need help:(
i dont know what other elective to choose..
im so confused..i want somethin easy like inquiy but i dont kno wht to choose..
anyone with experience kno of a good elective with not many essay writings ?

From what I heard, Econ 1B03/1BB3 were easy. They're supposedly boring, but easy. =]