MacInsiders Logo

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
General Question about course textbooks/study guide for first year life science? 1styearlife Academics 3 09-09-2010 07:53 PM
Question About Buying Textbooks Desda First-Year / Prospective Student Questions 3 07-07-2010 06:24 PM
Arts and Science vs. Health Science? ktc11 First-Year / Prospective Student Questions 5 05-18-2010 08:40 AM
Question regarding MSU health insurance saeeds5 General Discussion 1 11-11-2009 07:30 PM
health science rakib Academics 5 05-12-2008 10:55 PM

Question about Health Science Textbooks

 
Old 08-12-2008 at 03:09 PM   #1
Mephisto
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 14

Thanked: 0 Times
Liked: 0 Times




Question about Health Science Textbooks
Dear Macinsiders,

At the Titles bookstore, there aren't textbooks labelled as required for pyschobiology and cell. and mol. systems (both Health Science courses), but instead, they're in optional materials. Should I consider getting them, or are they not really used throughout the course?

And for term two courses, when will their materials be posted, and when should I consider getting them?

Thanks,

Mephisto.
Old 07-08-2009 at 01:32 AM   #2
wonie9024
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 8

Thanked: 0 Times
Liked: Liked 2 Times




If you're unsure about buying an "optional textbook", you can always check if their is a stock in the library. You can always buy the books whenever you need (though not so cheap at a later date) AFTER you review the book's worth.

Also, I wouldn't buy the term 2 texts yet unless it's for courses that rarely change its curriculum like chemistry or other sciences. I bought a term 2 anthro textbook during term 1, thinking it will be the same, but it turns out, the focus of the course had changed completely, so the books I bought first term were worth only a couple cents... (I won't tell you how much I bought them for initially since it will only make me sadder...sniff!)
Old 07-08-2009 at 01:46 AM   #3
casey.park
SRA Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 95

Thanked: 27 Times
Liked: 27 Times




You'll soon find that in BHSc courses, the textbook being optional really means that you should only buy it if it's personally valuable to your learning.

Also, you'll quickly learn in the program that whatever is in a textbook can be replaced by a cursory glance at the current scholarly literature of the field. A great lesson I learned from first year is that while the information in Medical Sciences texts might be correct for the basics, their exposition on current research avenues will be drastically outdated by the next edition.

The program draws you away from using textbooks but rather the bleeding edge of literature to glean background and also tackle novel problems that constitute the Health Sciences curriculum.

So yeah, the answer is wait and see if they're worth it to you.

As for Chemistry, get the text. Nothing in general Chemistry is going to change.




Quote:
Originally Posted by Mephisto View Post
Dear Macinsiders,

At the Titles bookstore, there aren't textbooks labelled as required for pyschobiology and cell. and mol. systems (both Health Science courses), but instead, they're in optional materials. Should I consider getting them, or are they not really used throughout the course?

And for term two courses, when will their materials be posted, and when should I consider getting them?

Thanks,

Mephisto.
Old 07-08-2009 at 01:53 AM   #4
~*Sara*~
Moderator
MacInsiders Staff
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 7,303

Thanked: 819 Times
Liked: 622 Times




The advice everyone has given me till now, is not to buy the textbooks or any material until AFTER the first day of classes. Then you'll be able to tell which of the required and optional material you'll need for the class. That's what I'm planing on doing . I'm also taking psychobiology
__________________
Mary Keyes CA 2013-2014
Hons. Biology and Pharmacology V
Old 07-09-2009 at 06:24 PM   #5
Bobby66
was offline, but
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 531

Thanked: 23 Times
Liked: 84 Times




I hope this time government will have the textbook grant like last year. High hopes !
__________________

Old 07-09-2009 at 06:32 PM   #6
~*Sara*~
Moderator
MacInsiders Staff
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 7,303

Thanked: 819 Times
Liked: 622 Times




With the stupid recession, it's doubtful :(
__________________
Mary Keyes CA 2013-2014
Hons. Biology and Pharmacology V
Old 07-09-2009 at 06:39 PM   #7
Bobby66
was offline, but
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 531

Thanked: 23 Times
Liked: 84 Times




Nooo, but true. Obviously no way people are going to use that money for actual buying of the textbook.
__________________

Old 07-09-2009 at 06:55 PM   #8
~*Sara*~
Moderator
MacInsiders Staff
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 7,303

Thanked: 819 Times
Liked: 622 Times




That's actually true too. I don't know too many people who would actually use it for the sole purpose of buying textbooks..
__________________
Mary Keyes CA 2013-2014
Hons. Biology and Pharmacology V
Old 07-09-2009 at 09:09 PM   #9
jhan523
Moderator
MacInsiders Staff
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,484

Thanked: 1,629 Times
Liked: 604 Times




The TTG isn't offered to everyone anymore. Only people receiving OSAP will be getting it this year.
__________________
Jeremy Han
McMaster Alumni - Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics
Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University Third Year - Doctor of Optometry
Old 07-09-2009 at 09:20 PM   #10
Bobby66
was offline, but
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 531

Thanked: 23 Times
Liked: 84 Times




Sweetness!
__________________

Old 07-09-2009 at 09:52 PM   #11
~*Sara*~
Moderator
MacInsiders Staff
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 7,303

Thanked: 819 Times
Liked: 622 Times




Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobby66 View Post
Sweetness!
Well. for the people receiving OSAP, yes
__________________
Mary Keyes CA 2013-2014
Hons. Biology and Pharmacology V
Old 07-18-2009 at 11:25 PM   #12
emtee10
Mac Lifer
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 77

Thanked: 66 Times
Liked: 49 Times




If it helps to put things into perspective, I'm currently going into my final year of BHSc, and I have yet to buy a single Health Sci textbook.

In general, never buy a University textbook until the course has begun and you know for certain that you'll need it.
__________________
Matthew Tenenbaum
Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Class of 2013
Bachelor of Health Sciences (Hons.), Class of 2010
Old 07-18-2009 at 11:26 PM   #13
PTGregD
Elite Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,841

Thanked: 229 Times
Liked: 349 Times




Quote:
Originally Posted by emtee10 View Post
If it helps to put things into perspective, I'm currently going into my final year of BHSc, and I have yet to buy a single Health Sci textbook.

In general, never buy a University textbook until the course has begun and you know for certain that you'll need it.
I wish I didn't have to buy my textbooks either lol.

I would have saved thousands.
__________________
Gregory Darkeff
Alumni 2011 - Honors Commerce and Economics Minor
Old 07-18-2009 at 11:59 PM   #14
~*Sara*~
Moderator
MacInsiders Staff
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 7,303

Thanked: 819 Times
Liked: 622 Times




Quote:
Originally Posted by emtee10 View Post
If it helps to put things into perspective, I'm currently going into my final year of BHSc, and I have yet to buy a single Health Sci textbook.

In general, never buy a University textbook until the course has begun and you know for certain that you'll need it.
Wow.. I'm speechless. No books whatsoever during the four years.. Are lectures really that complete?
__________________
Mary Keyes CA 2013-2014
Hons. Biology and Pharmacology V
Old 07-19-2009 at 12:54 AM   #15
mcinside
Elite Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 595

Thanked: 31 Times
Liked: 23 Times




Quote:
Originally Posted by emtee10 View Post
If it helps to put things into perspective, I'm currently going into my final year of BHSc, and I have yet to buy a single Health Sci textbook.
Wow, really? That's impressive.



Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



McMaster University News and Information, Student-run Community, with topics ranging from Student Life, Advice, News, Events, and General Help.
Notice: The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the student(s) who authored the content. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by McMaster University or the MSU (McMaster Students Union). Being a student-run community, all articles and discussion posts on MacInsiders are unofficial and it is therefore always recommended that you visit the official McMaster website for the most accurate up-to-date information.

Copyright © MacInsiders.com All Rights Reserved. No content can be re-used or re-published without permission. MacInsiders is a service of Fullerton Media Inc. | Created by Chad
Originally Powered by vBulletin®, Copyright © 2019 MH Sub I, LLC dba vBulletin. All rights reserved. | Privacy | Terms