How do I know what textbooks I need and when is the right time to buy them?

Originally Posted by kanvi_v30

How do I know what textbooks I need and when is the right time to buy them?

When you go to your first lecture, you will probably be given a course outline. This includes what textbooks and other materials are recommended.

As for when to buy them.. others have suggested to see if its absolutely necessary such as if material that will be tested comes from the textbook or not. But I'm pretty clueless here too. I usually buy them.

Originally Posted by kanvi_v30

How do I know what textbooks I need and when is the right time to buy them?

If you want to know beforehand there is a link on the Titles (bookstore) website-- I think it is under the title textbooks. You select your classes and it will make a list for you. I don't think it will be updated for September until early August.

do NOT wait until the first class, look up the course outlines, or look what ppl are selling in the marketplace section, and then buy the textbooks from ebay. you will save a ton on textbooks this way.

www.bookstore.mcmaste r.ca
Click "search for your textbooks" and find your class, though you won't be able to find any info on the course materials until sometime in August.

depends on the class. Custom courseware, DO NOT get it until your prof has stated that it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY because you can't refund that stuff even if you never opened it. As for textbooks, look online from titles as stated before, and get a cheaper version online. That way, even if you DON'T end up needing it, you didn't spend a fortune on it, and you can always sell it back out on e-bay.

sidenote: if more than one class lists an i-clicker as a requirement, i suggest you check out if anyone's selling one online and call dibs on one. They're usually around $40 for a new one ($30 for a used one) from titles, and they ran out last year. if you look in the marketplace, there's people selling them for around $20 =P Just a tip.

The Titles website usually has the list in the middle of August or so. The best time to buy your books is at least after the first 1-2 lectures of class so that you can find out if you can use older editions, etc.

Oh damn, so if we want to buy the textbook, we actually have to buy it on our own? I thought it is counted as part of the tuition and the textbooks will be given to us..

Talk with people a year or two above you. They will be able to tell you which textbooks to buy for which classes and may even be able to sell their old textbooks to you. You can also trade books with your friends if you have the similar classes during different semesters (ie. macro/micro works well)

Originally Posted by larizhou

Oh damn, so if we want to buy the textbook, we actually have to buy it on our own? I thought it is counted as part of the tuition and the textbooks will be given to us..

Nope, no school has that. You can always buy them off upper-years or used books at Titles for cheaper.