Byrne Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 I figured this would be the best place to ask this. For those who have already gone through the BMSc program at Western, do you have any recommendations on modules to take/avoid? I'm intending to apply to Med School after completing all four years of the program. I'm going into third year, so my decision sort of matters now -- everything was fairly general in second year, so switching after second year is no big deal. I entered PharmTox after first year, but have now chosen PathTox as my first choice and PhysPharm as my second choice having completed second year. Any course recommendations in these modules? I noticed in PathTox you have a choice between four courses as one of the modular requirements: Analytical Chemistry, Cell Physiology, Advanced Cell Biology, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics -- not sure where to go with that one. And in terms of option courses, has anyone taken History of Medicine or have any recommendations? I've already taken Sport and Recreation in the Ancient World (Classics) and Weather and Climate (Geography). Any help is appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheena815 Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 I never took History of Medicine, but I heard it was awesome from several people. However, I believe at least this past year and perhaps even the year before the prof for it (who apparently made it awesome) was off on sabbatical, so you might want to check if he is back yet. As for those courses, I haven't taken any of them, so can't advise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ploughboy Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 I never took History of Medicine, but I heard it was awesome from several people. However, I believe at least this past year and perhaps even the year before the prof for it (who apparently made it awesome) was off on sabbatical, so you might want to check if he is back yet. As for those courses, I haven't taken any of them, so can't advise. Dr Potter was on sabbatical this year, but is back now. I think he may be retiring at the end of the '08-'09 academic year, however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreek Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 ive heard potter is amazing...if advanced cell biology is with podesta....avoid it (if its biology 316)...but i havent heard great things from cell physiology... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompson Posted May 19, 2008 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 I just graduated from path/tox and loved it. For the course selections, I found epidemiology interesting and an easy 90-something. I had friends who took cell physio and it seemed to be a lot of work. It is required for some course options in 4th year (neuropharmacology I believe), but it's very easy just to get special permission. I did this and did fine, so I would recommend avoiding that course unless you want to learn a lot about receptors. As for advanced cell bio I didn't hear great things, and no one I know took analytical chem. So unless these interest you, I'd really recommend epidemio. Great prof, interesting, and easy to do well. Gook luck getting into 4th year path/tox! A lot of people don't realize they cut the program down to 10 people for 4th year, so keep your average up. If you want to boost your chances of getting in I'd recommend going to talk to Dr. Gibson about the program and showing your interest in the program. Also a tip about thesis projects...choose an advisor who has done research before and try not to take on a project which requires you to be in the lab daily (ie. taking care of mice). Finally electives...I took the human mind psych and earth science 123. Both very easy and interesting! GOOD LUCK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrne Posted May 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 Thanks a lot for the input thompson! It seems like each module has its highs and lows -- the low of PathTox being the high number of required courses and competition, but your comments on Epidemiology have put my mind to ease. That was the course I was sort of leaning towards, because I have heard some pretty awful things about CellPhys and Cell Bio wasn't exactly my favourite second year course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starik Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 Hey, I have a similar problem - have no clue what to go into for 3rd year in BMSc. Before I was thinking of doing Biochem and Cell Bio, but people seem to have bad things to say about it (e.g. Podesta for Bio316a)... Physiology seems like a safer bet, but I'm taking a core course (phys 312) at U of T this summer (couldn't think of anything better to do) and so may have trouble making the cut-off for fourth year (~83%). Path/Tox is also an option... The two Orgos where my favourite courses in second year, but I think it's too late to switch into chemistry... would biochem be sort of like orgo? I understand it's probably all the same whatever I choose (ie go to class, take notes, study, write exams, get drunk afterwords and forget everything you learned...) but could you guys comment on the BMSc programs at western a bit more (especially how the honors projects differ in each)? Thanks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheena815 Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 I highly recommend Microbiology and Immunology! I was in Med Sci, but ended up taking a lot of courses in that area, and both my roommate and I agreed that they were some of both the easiest and most interesting courses we took overall. Particularly immunology, which is what I mainly took... the one microbio I took was really boring, but marked extremely easy on the exam (467). Seriously, I didn't do a ton of work for immunology courses and never got below a 90 on any of them. The biochems I took were comparatively much more difficult. I don't know anything about the 4th year projects though. And probably for similarity to orgo (wow, you actually liked orgo!?!?!) I'd say biochem is the most alike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ploughboy Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 (wow, you actually liked orgo!?!?!) In starik's defense, I *loved* orgo. One of my favourite classes, and some of my best marks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompson Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 I loved orgo too! Woo orgo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmsc Posted June 18, 2008 Report Share Posted June 18, 2008 I highly recommend Microbiology and Immunology! I was in Med Sci, but ended up taking a lot of courses in that area, and both my roommate and I agreed that they were some of both the easiest and most interesting courses we took overall. Particularly immunology, which is what I mainly took... the one microbio I took was really boring, but marked extremely easy on the exam (467). Seriously, I didn't do a ton of work for immunology courses and never got below a 90 on any of them. The biochems I took were comparatively much more difficult. I don't know anything about the 4th year projects though. And probably for similarity to orgo (wow, you actually liked orgo!?!?!) I'd say biochem is the most alike. i was wondering which micro/immun courses you recommend? i'm planning to take 2100a - biology of proks or immunology 3300a - immunology can you also let me know of the mark breakdowns..?? thanks =) also, i need 1.0 more medsci courses? are there any other that is recommended? im thinking of taking pharmtox356a...was that okay? does anyone know any good 4th year phys courses?????? i'm planning to take exercise, fetal, motor and im stuck on my last one...hope someone can help!! thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheena815 Posted June 18, 2008 Report Share Posted June 18, 2008 i was wondering which micro/immun courses you recommend?i'm planning to take 2100a - biology of proks or immunology 3300a - immunology can you also let me know of the mark breakdowns..?? thanks =) also, i need 1.0 more medsci courses? are there any other that is recommended? im thinking of taking pharmtox356a...was that okay? I'm trying to keep this straight... cause western went and changed all the course numbers this year, but biology of proks, if it used to be called 221B, is a great course. Very interesting (one of my favorites, actually) and not hard. Its got two m.c. midterms, and they're short, in-class ones (they took me like, 20 minutes max) one short research paper on a bacteria or virus of your choice (they tell you exactly what you need to include, I think it was about 2 pages) and one final, all m.c. If the immunology 3300a used to be called 357a I also recommend that one. IIRC its the same format (two in-class m.c exams) and one m.c. final, but no paper. The first prof (if its still Bosco) is a bit tough, but the other two are REALLY easy. I heard pharmtox 356 was okay, but I never took it. 355 was quite hard- I did not enjoy it. I don't know if you like biochems at all, but I recommend both human biochemistry and biochem of genetic diseases (its a 4th year course, but I took it in third having already taken the prereq). They're easy to do well in, and very interesting, dealing with health/ medical issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmsc Posted June 20, 2008 Report Share Posted June 20, 2008 I'm trying to keep this straight... cause western went and changed all the course numbers this year, but biology of proks, if it used to be called 221B, is a great course. Very interesting (one of my favorites, actually) and not hard. Its got two m.c. midterms, and they're short, in-class ones (they took me like, 20 minutes max) one short research paper on a bacteria or virus of your choice (they tell you exactly what you need to include, I think it was about 2 pages) and one final, all m.c. If the immunology 3300a used to be called 357a I also recommend that one. IIRC its the same format (two in-class m.c exams) and one m.c. final, but no paper. The first prof (if its still Bosco) is a bit tough, but the other two are REALLY easy. I heard pharmtox 356 was okay, but I never took it. 355 was quite hard- I did not enjoy it. I don't know if you like biochems at all, but I recommend both human biochemistry and biochem of genetic diseases (its a 4th year course, but I took it in third having already taken the prereq). They're easy to do well in, and very interesting, dealing with health/ medical issues. hey! thanks for replying okay to clear things up bio of proks is 220a NOT 221b..which was the immunity/virus one???? which one were you talking about? bc i know that 220a has a LAB ...and 221b didn't??? let me know bc i'm plannin ot tkae the 220a! it was with koval...thanks let me know how the labs were if u took that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheena815 Posted June 20, 2008 Report Share Posted June 20, 2008 Oh, I see. No, I didn't take the 220 one with the labs, so I can't comment on that. I don't remember hearing that it was hard though, I know my roommate took it I think without any problems. I remember her saying the labs were really short. I do recommend the 221 (the virus one) though, if you can take it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Law Posted June 20, 2008 Report Share Posted June 20, 2008 3300A (the former 357A) is fantastic! Bosco Chan is hilarious and a pretty good prof. The 2nd half was covered by a prof named Harefyar (sp??) and he was decent (although kinda boring). The course is interesting though, great intro to immunology (and the exams were fair)! Also, I hear if you take this class and then take Micro 221b, then you'll find that course super easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avenir001 Posted June 20, 2008 Report Share Posted June 20, 2008 3300A (the former 357A) is fantastic! Bosco Chan is hilarious and a pretty good prof. The 2nd half was covered by a prof named Harefyar (sp??) and he was decent (although kinda boring). The course is interesting though, great intro to immunology (and the exams were fair)! Also, I hear if you take this class and then take Micro 221b, then you'll find that course super easy. is this the persian prof? HOW. DARE. YOU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmsc Posted June 20, 2008 Report Share Posted June 20, 2008 so any word on micro2100a???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreek Posted June 20, 2008 Report Share Posted June 20, 2008 micro 2100 is the former 220a, which has the lab component....i took it two years ago,,,,did "alright", but feel if i went back and had my habits now, i could rock it....its not as easy as 2500 the former 221... the class is with koval, crezeunet and galsworthy in my day...galsworthy might be out of play these days though...she teaches quite a bit for being emiritus...anyways...i found it interesting in 2nd year....lol i dont know what to tell u,,,its no immunology 357 or 221 (2500) and its no gross anatomy...if u like micro, like i did,,,u will like it....but then again its 5 hours...its a drain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrne Posted June 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2008 So are the PharmTox courses in the "avoid at all costs" category or the "it's possible to do very well if you work your ass off" category? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompson Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 If you work you can do well in pharmtox...but be prepared to work HARD(especially 355). I would avoid them if possible though unless you are interested in 4th year pharmtox courses. I took cardiopharm and neuropharm in 4th year and they were ok (cardio better with a great prof). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antares Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 I have a couple of questions, hopefully i can get some of them answered: Can anyone who has taken Physiology-Pharmacology comment on its usefulness in a premed sense? Also with respect to premed, can anyone in the BMSc program currently tell me what module would be ideal? Just out of curiosity, what differs a Specialty from a Major? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystery_chick Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 I have a couple of questions, hopefully i can get some of them answered: Can anyone who has taken Physiology-Pharmacology comment on its usefulness in a premed sense? I'm not a med student but as I'm sure most people on this forum will tell you, there's not one major/module that will prepare you for med school. You don't need to be in science to get into med school. Will the courses that you take towards your phys-pharm degree help you in the future? Sure, you do have to take physiology and pharmacology courses in med school but don't take it just because you think it'll be "useful." I'm in third year of phys-pharm right now, but I'll be switching to physiology with a minor in pharmacology. Third year of phys-pharm is also very intense. You have to take two full year lab courses that's only worth half a credit each and so you're essentially taking six classes each semester ("overloading") for five credits. And you have to do that to be considered on a full course load (which I didn't want to do, hence the switch. ) Also with respect to premed, can anyone in the BMSc program currently tell me what module would be ideal? Just out of curiosity, what differs a Specialty from a Major? Thanks There's no ideal module... my philosophy has always been that if you like a subject, you're more likely to study for it come exam time and hence you'll do better. You have to keep in mind that GPA does matter when it comes to med school admissions so why not take something you like and will do well in instead of something that might be "ideal" for med school. You still have to get in first! Also depending on the year you're in, you can take some intro survey courses (like micro 2100 (I think) and physio 2130) to see if you like that particular subject An Honors specialization requires you to do a fourth year research project and write a thesis, a major does not. You need a specialization for med school (For Western anyways.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classA Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Double major also works for Western. Do something you will excel in. Marks are needed for medical school and people tend to get the highest marks in courses they like. If you do not want to do a thesis I suggest honors in specialization medical sciences. You get to choose basically all the course you like and the 400E course is well received (high marks!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Law Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Honours Med Sci = Amazing. Pick interesting courses and they're useful for med school. Wish I was in this module before I started 4th year, much better than biochemistry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antares Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Honors Med Sci seems like a good option since I don't know what to specialize in yet. There are so many modules Thanks for the help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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