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To origins or not to origins

 
Old 06-13-2011 at 05:07 AM   #1
Sheikia
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To origins or not to origins
Hey Guys,

So I cannot decide between just pure Hons. Chem or Chem with Origins specialization. I have been going back and forth forever.

My main worries are that Origins is way more work and less electives. Also, it's very specific and I don't know if I will like it at all. I also took Dr. Stone's course Bio 1M03 last year and I really didn't like him as a teacher, and I know he teaches a lot of the origins courses.

On the other hand, it sounds really interesting (from what I've heard and read), if I like it, then it is a specific/small enough stream that I will be able to make more connections, and the class sizes are smaller. Also, I do enjoy physics somewhat, and I've heard that you get to work more in all areas of science (biology and physics) instead of completely shutting them out (Upper year chemists take no physics courses)

I can't decide! My pro-con lists are exactly equal on both sides for me. And I only have until tomorrow to decide.

Any insight would be appreciated
Old 06-13-2011 at 05:16 AM   #2
L'Étoile
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Curiosity ! I guess u should do origins !
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Old 06-13-2011 at 06:10 AM   #3
ShouldBeStudying
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I'd go with Origins...although I'm in Origins. Workload won't be much higher if you're remotely interested in the courses and you'll definitely make more connections. Also, what didn't you like about Dr.Stone? Not sure how he taught 1M03, but the Origins courses he taught were pretty good. If you choose Origins, 2nd year Origin classes are pretty big like 100+ but they narrow down to around 30 in 3rd year courses even 10 in the seminar course. Good luck with your decision!

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Old 06-13-2011 at 07:15 AM   #4
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There's also a minor in Origins available if you'd be interested in that.. For the longest time I thought I just wouldn't get a minor, before realizing that was an option. Even though I'm in bio, I love astronomy and physics and things of the sort, yet I detest the amount of math I'd have to do to get a minor in astronomy. Turns out it seems like a minor in Orgins would satiate that hunger =D
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Old 06-13-2011 at 07:17 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Freak705 View Post
There's also a minor in Origins available if you'd be interested in that.. For the longest time I thought I just wouldn't get a minor, before realizing that was an option. Even though I'm in bio, I love astronomy and physics and things of the sort, yet I detest the amount of math I'd have to do to get a minor in astronomy. Turns out it seems like a minor in Orgins would satiate that hunger =D
What's the difference between a minor and a specialization?
Old 06-13-2011 at 07:42 AM   #6
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http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /calen...nt/pg1481.html

The two links at the bottom of the page
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Old 06-13-2011 at 07:48 AM   #7
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Just so you know the Origins Research specialization sometimes conflicts with the mandatory Chem courses. I was in this program in second year and i was the only person in the specialization and the courses conflicted. I am now just in Honours chem. So I would look at conflicting courses first.

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Old 06-13-2011 at 07:55 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Freak705 View Post
http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /calen...nt/pg1481.html

The two links at the bottom of the page
I'm sorry. I read them but I still don't understand the difference. I'm trying to compare the courses but they look the same to me.

What I think I can gather is that the specialization requires more credits in origins courses? Do you have to do the seminar and thesis in both?
Old 06-13-2011 at 07:58 AM   #9
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Okay I read it a couple more times and I think I understand it better now. The specialization requires you to do the 4th year seminar and thesis, whereas the minor just requires to take a certain number of origins courses.

Is that correct?
Old 06-13-2011 at 08:00 AM   #10
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Origins... is amazing. Best courses I've taken at university by far.
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Old 06-13-2011 at 08:05 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rathmasm View Post
Just so you know the Origins Research specialization sometimes conflicts with the mandatory Chem courses. I was in this program in second year and i was the only person in the specialization and the courses conflicted. I am now just in Honours chem. So I would look at conflicting courses first.
Thanks! I checked it out and it seems to be fine for second year. But now you've got me worried for later years. What if I complete second year specialization, only to find that I can't complete it in third or fourth because of conflicts?

Can they really offer a specialization and then not let you continue because of scheduling?
Old 06-13-2011 at 08:20 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheikia View Post
Thanks! I checked it out and it seems to be fine for second year. But now you've got me worried for later years. What if I complete second year specialization, only to find that I can't complete it in third or fourth because of conflicts?

Can they really offer a specialization and then not let you continue because of scheduling?
Dude. Just take Origins. It's far more fulfilling to you as an individual than chem. Unless you want to be a chemist or something. It opens your mind to the entire universe in a way that can't be done in other classes. It's an awesome set of courses. I'm getting the minor in in this year, and I'm so happy I've found a set of electives that I like so much. Didn't think it was possible until last year when I took Origins of Spacetime. Best course... evahr.
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Old 06-13-2011 at 08:22 AM   #13
L'Étoile
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A minor will not be written in BOLD in your final transcript like your program name, it will bust be a line saying "student completed a minor in _____" but you can put it in your resume immediately after saying that you have completed a bachelor of science in honors chemistry.

Like I said earlier go with origins, Its so awesome you get to study how the universe came by and stuff. Its very cool and I wish I did that.

and no I don't think you will get conflicts since they picked on that from last years and probably have fixed it, every year the scheduling gets changed in master timetable.

Good luck and all the best.
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Old 06-13-2011 at 02:58 PM   #14
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Chem degrees are fulfilling. Its a heavy courseload and we don't have very many electives anyway, but you can transfer out of that specialization after second year if you don't like it. But like I said there are very few people in that program so there may be conflicts. Good Luck!



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