future doc Posted December 22, 2012 Report Posted December 22, 2012 This question is for anyone who is currently taking or has taken health sciences at u of c, more specifically biomedical sciences major....(biological sciences students can also answer) ive heard there is more paper writing in biomedical sciences over biological sciences so my question is, is the grading in biomedical sciences more subjective than in biological sciences?
smile1230 Posted December 31, 2012 Report Posted December 31, 2012 Yes, very subjective So I got an A because the markers were all happy.
future doc Posted December 31, 2012 Author Report Posted December 31, 2012 Yes, very subjective So I got an A because the markers were all happy. is this for just the biomedical sciences course or the other courses too that are same in biological sciences for example bio course and chem and such?
newmedcraze Posted January 1, 2013 Report Posted January 1, 2013 This question is for anyone who is currently taking or has taken health sciences at u of c, more specifically biomedical sciences major....(biological sciences students can also answer) ive heard there is more paper writing in biomedical sciences over biological sciences so my question is, is the grading in biomedical sciences more subjective than in biological sciences? Future_doc I understand that you might be very concerned about the choice of your major. But you've asked the same question about the BHSc program in atleast five different posts in the forum (In one of them I replied). Some times you just need to trust your guts and hope that everything will turn out alright in the end.
smile1230 Posted January 1, 2013 Report Posted January 1, 2013 is this for just the biomedical sciences course or the other courses too that are same in biological sciences for example bio course and chem and such? What do you think? You just asked if the SAME courses that we take as Biological Sciences students will be marked subjectively JUST BECAUSE WE ARE FROM BHSC. What do you think? Also, just as the person above me said, at one point you need to trust your guts and go for it. What is it that you really want in your life? Do you want some skills in research or do you want pure, intense knowledge on various streams in biology? If it is the former, then go for BHSC, as it is the only major difference that sticks out to me. If the latter, then go for BioSci. Neither one of those two programs will provide you a greater benefit over the other when you apply for medical school. Each one has it's own unique lessons to teach you. So ask yourself, what is it that YOU want to learn? University is an amazing platform to LEARN what you want to become knowledgable in. Grades matter for sure. However, I feel that it comes in both ways. If something doesn't interest you and you are in it for the grades, then trust me, the grades will never satisfy you. I've seen my friends who are in BMED just because its so high rated, but they hate it. Do you want to be miserable? On the other hand, I have friends who are in biosci and they are always complaining about how they wish they just stayed in bmed because it allows you to become so exposed to research and actually have hands on experience. Why are people lamenting? It is either because they were going for the program that will supposedly give them a higher GPA. As a student in this program I can assure you that there are times I see my grades and I ask myself if I made the right decision. But then the next day I see a paper that I received an A+ on because I worked so hard on it, or I receive an award for the amount of research I've done. Personally, that feeling means more to me than an A- or say a B+ in a course. It's the experience that counts. Anyways, I hope that answered your question.
future doc Posted January 1, 2013 Author Report Posted January 1, 2013 What do you think? You just asked if the SAME courses that we take as Biological Sciences students will be marked subjectively JUST BECAUSE WE ARE FROM BHSC. What do you think? Also, just as the person above me said, at one point you need to trust your guts and go for it. What is it that you really want in your life? Do you want some skills in research or do you want pure, intense knowledge on various streams in biology? If it is the former, then go for BHSC, as it is the only major difference that sticks out to me. If the latter, then go for BioSci. Neither one of those two programs will provide you a greater benefit over the other when you apply for medical school. Each one has it's own unique lessons to teach you. So ask yourself, what is it that YOU want to learn? University is an amazing platform to LEARN what you want to become knowledgable in. Grades matter for sure. However, I feel that it comes in both ways. If something doesn't interest you and you are in it for the grades, then trust me, the grades will never satisfy you. I've seen my friends who are in BMED just because its so high rated, but they hate it. Do you want to be miserable? On the other hand, I have friends who are in biosci and they are always complaining about how they wish they just stayed in bmed because it allows you to become so exposed to research and actually have hands on experience. Why are people lamenting? It is either because they were going for the program that will supposedly give them a higher GPA. As a student in this program I can assure you that there are times I see my grades and I ask myself if I made the right decision. But then the next day I see a paper that I received an A+ on because I worked so hard on it, or I receive an award for the amount of research I've done. Personally, that feeling means more to me than an A- or say a B+ in a course. It's the experience that counts. Anyways, I hope that answered your question. thanks a lot guys for making my choice easier (loved how you compared both) Future_doc I understand that you might be very concerned about the choice of your major. But you've asked the same question about the BHSc program in atleast five different posts in the forum (In one of them I replied). Some times you just need to trust your guts and hope that everything will turn out alright in the end. and im sorry for too many posts on the same topic... will keep that in mind for the future:)
Jamaz Posted January 2, 2013 Report Posted January 2, 2013 Im in the Biological sciences program, and in most higher level biology courses (My experience is mostly from CMMB), you will be required to write a paper. There is still a large degree of subjectivity to the grading of these papers. However, in my experience most courses wont put more than 15-30% weight on these papers. There is a subjective component to many courses in all faculties, and its not something that you should worry about.
future doc Posted January 2, 2013 Author Report Posted January 2, 2013 Im in the Biological sciences program, and in most higher level biology courses (My experience is mostly from CMMB), you will be required to write a paper. There is still a large degree of subjectivity to the grading of these papers. However, in my experience most courses wont put more than 15-30% weight on these papers. There is a subjective component to many courses in all faculties, and its not something that you should worry about. this is really reassuring.
peachaso Posted January 3, 2013 Report Posted January 3, 2013 I had to laugh when I read this thread xD If, after all that, you are still extremely worried about subjective grading, then a BSc in Biology might be better. You have a lot of freedom to choose your courses, and can pretty much avoid papers for your whole degree. Another thing to consider is that Biology courses have more labs than MedSci courses. So either way you get "subjective grading" - more lab reports vs. more presentations/papers/research stuff.
future doc Posted January 3, 2013 Author Report Posted January 3, 2013 im not so worried about it i just wanted to know what im getting into and now i know thanks to you guys:D
Hagemenfactor Posted January 8, 2013 Report Posted January 8, 2013 Another thing to consider is that Biology courses have more labs than MedSci courses. So either way you get "subjective grading" - more lab reports vs. more presentations/papers/research stuff. I can assure you that the lab reports or papers are graded according to a pre-determined marking scheme, not by some random or an arbitrary system that is subject to personal bias or favoritism.
peachaso Posted January 8, 2013 Report Posted January 8, 2013 I can assure you that the lab reports or papers are graded according to a pre-determined marking scheme, not by some random or an arbitrary system that is subject to personal bias or favoritism. It is true that many courses do have pre-determined marking schemes, but it is impossible to have totally objective grading for lab reports/papers/presentations/etc. Of course, the markers won't change their system based on how much they like each person (at least not on purpose) but the rubrics or whathaveyou leave a lot to the grader. Am I saying it's impossible to do well in these kinds of assignments? No. But there is less in your control.
Hagemenfactor Posted January 8, 2013 Report Posted January 8, 2013 It is true that many courses do have pre-determined marking schemes, but it is impossible to have totally objective grading for lab reports/papers/presentations/etc. Of course, the markers won't change their system based on how much they like each person (at least not on purpose) but the rubrics or whathaveyou leave a lot to the grader. Am I saying it's impossible to do well in these kinds of assignments? No. But there is less in your control. When I was a TA, the department would make us swap the entire class's reports with each other so that we would have no idea whose papers we are marking. This is an example of one check in system to ensure transparency and anonymity. The TAs are asked to keep a record of their grading scheme or be able to clearly justify the grades they handed out. If a student truly feels he's been wrongly given a grade, he can file a complaint to the department or the academic dean. Don't be foolish to think that graduate students are going to easy ride you if you have a pretty face or a personable character. Plus, it is absolute bullsh*t you are bringing up when you say there is less control. In the real world, the answers do not come in four options like in multiple choice. You must learn to write like a scientist and conform to the rules and regulations that have been established and are upheld. If you produce a writing that is deemed to be a low quality, then it is entirely your fault, not the "person" who marked it. If it is a crappy paper, it will be a crappy paper regardless of who reads it. We are not talking about a creative English writing assignment. Our point of interest is a science paper, written to concisely convey ideas and its results.
peachaso Posted January 8, 2013 Report Posted January 8, 2013 When I was a TA, the department would make us swap the entire class's reports with each other so that we would have no idea whose papers we are marking. This is an example of one check in system to ensure transparency and anonymity. The TAs are asked to keep a record of their grading scheme or be able to clearly justify the grades they handed out. If a student truly feels he's been wrongly given a grade, he can file a complaint to the department or the academic dean. Don't be foolish to think that graduate students are going to easy ride you if you have a pretty face or a personable character. Plus, it is absolute bullsh*t you are bringing up when you say there is less control. In the real world, the answers do not come in four options like in multiple choice. You must learn to write like a scientist and conform to the rules and regulations that have been established and are upheld. If you produce a writing that is deemed to be a low quality, then it is entirely your fault, not the "person" who marked it. If it is a crappy paper, it will be a crappy paper regardless of who reads it. We are not talking about a creative English writing assignment. Our point of interest is a science paper, written to concisely convey ideas and its results. I appreciate you bringing another perspective, but frankly, your tone is uncalled for. I've laid out my experience and you are free to disagree - besides, I even agreed that TAs or profs would try to be as objective - but not through unfounded assumptions and disrespectful comments. I'm not going to add more fuel to your fire, but I still stand by my statement that these kinds of assignments, compared to, as in your example, multiple choice tests, necessarily cannot be graded as objectively.
Hagemenfactor Posted January 8, 2013 Report Posted January 8, 2013 Foremost, I wasn't trying to say you are wrong. I wanted to make sure that high school students or entering UG students who are viewing this are not swayed by thinking they should avoid courses with labs because the papers are marked by a person. I apologize if my tone was condescending, but I answered this type of question often, so I do feel strongly about it. I agree with you that complete objectivity is not possible. Even with MC, there are past exams or old questions students share with each other, so it is not perfect either. But, people in academia do try to perfect our system, so students shouldn't shy away from taking courses with writings/labs/presentations simply because they are marked by individuals.. peace.
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