Honours project pros vs cons

[jk.gill29]

Hey everyone,

 

So I don't know if I should do an honours project or not just for the sake of showing it on my application to med school because when I will also have a full course load to handle as well. What are the pros and cons of doing it, and if there are alternative options to it?

 

Thanks

[future_doc]

Don't do it for the sake of the application to med school as you won't receive any brownie points. Your priority is to maximize GPA period. I wouldn't do it.

[Savac]

Don't do it for the sake of the application to med school as you won't receive any brownie points. Your priority is to maximize GPA period. I wouldn't do it.

 

I agree completely

[pokaroo]

I agree completely

 

Don't! Its not worth the hassle IMO - not for medicine, not for brownie points

 

Do it - if you enjoy research over the traditional didactic learning on a specific topic, then yes.

[tooty]

this project is not part of but in excess of your full courseload? hell no don't do it.

 

i did an honours project but was worth 1 full credit as part of my courseload. with the right prof it could be awesome (high marks, fewer hours, no exam).

[Savac]

Don't! Its not worth the hassle IMO - not for medicine, not for brownie points

 

Do it - if you enjoy research over the traditional didactic learning on a specific topic, then yes.

 

Umm what?

 

F_d said not to do it and I agreed...

[nem90]

Do it if it's part of your full course load. You'll get to know a prof more and can be beneficial.

[FrenchToast]

Some other things to consider:

 

- Would you consider doing a Master's if you don't get into med school right away? Or just in general? I think doing a an honours project would give you a good idea if it's something you'd enjoy or not, and it would give you useful experience if it's something you decide to do.

- How many hours a week would it involve? I know at my school, it does count for 1.5 credits, but you have a "Minimum 10 laboratory hours per week plus 2 seminar hours alternate weeks".

- Are you just plain old bored with traditional courses at this point? Do you feel like trying something different that will allow you to think in a different way and learn new skills?

 

Personally, after much deliberation, I've decided to do an honours thesis next year, in spite of the crazy number of hours .

 

(As far as alternatives to an honours projects goes, I guess it would depend on the school. Such info is probably available on your departmental website, though.)

[undergrad519]

Some other things to consider:

 

- Would you consider doing a Master's if you don't get into med school right away? Or just in general? I think doing a an honours project would give you a good idea if it's something you'd enjoy or not, and it would give you useful experience if it's something you decide to do.

- How many hours a week would it involve? I know at my school, it does count for 1.5 credits, but you have a "Minimum 10 laboratory hours per week plus 2 seminar hours alternate weeks".

- Are you just plain old bored with traditional courses at this point? Do you feel like trying something different that will allow you to think in a different way and learn new skills?

 

Personally, after much deliberation, I've decided to do an honours thesis next year, in spite of the crazy number of hours .

 

(As far as alternatives to an honours projects goes, I guess it would depend on the school. Such info is probably available on your departmental website, though.)

Hours are universally dependent on your adviser and your project. Some people work 4-5 hours per week in their lab and get great results, whereas some people work 15-20 hours per week.

[docspice]

My honors project ended up counting as 6 credits because the writing of the introduction was considered a full course. I got 4 months of full time work the summer before my 4th year funded by an NSERC USR in which I was able to complete all my research. No exams, only one stressful presentation, and no classes to attend, if anything doing an honors was easier than any other course I would have taken, just a highly independent project. I was surprised that still very few people chose to do honors in biology. I was able to get 90s in both classes, recommendations from my supervisor, and a publication (soon to be a second where I'll be first author). From my experience I would highly recommend it. I was also able to attend and present my research at 3 conferences, and I put all of them onto my applications.

[BAMFtastic]

So I have a bad story about honours this semester. I was told all semester by my prof that I was getting 90-95 in the second half of the course. I got 94 in the first half. He presented my paper to other professors and apparently we were off from what we were supposed to do. He ended up giving me a 75 in the course. (The lowest mark I have EVER received in university). My other marks this semester were 90 and 100.

 

So basically, I now have an academic suit on my hands which I am trying to resolve informally, but may end up taking it to the next level.... no fun.

 

Moral of the story - get an honours prof who knows what they are doing and get them to evaluate you **in writing** regularly.

[nem90]

So I have a bad story about honours this semester. I was told all semester by my prof that I was getting 90-95 in the second half of the course. I got 94 in the first half. He presented my paper to other professors and apparently we were off from what we were supposed to do. He ended up giving me a 75 in the course. (The lowest mark I have EVER received in university). My other marks this semester were 90 and 100.

 

So basically, I now have an academic suit on my hands which I am trying to resolve informally, but may end up taking it to the next level.... no fun.

 

Moral of the story - get an honours prof who knows what they are doing and get them to evaluate you **in writing** regularly.

 

Does this happen frequently? Hope you resolve the issue.

[tooty]

bamf makes an important point.

 

you need to do a thorough background check on your potential prof. the best people to ask are past honours project students. if they've never done an honours project before, find another prof. otherwise you're gambling.

[BAMFtastic]

Does this happen frequently? Hope you resolve the issue.

 

I don't think. He was the wrong prof to choose. And thanks, got WL'd the day prior and I have a final exam tomorrow. Great lol

[preppy038]

actually i sorta recommend honours project esp. if you did a great summer with the prof,

 

i did exactly that and i don't recall doing much work for my project and i had a project of my own so i pretty much knew what I had to do etc

 

my PI was awesome too, he never really bothered me for not working hard etc, mayb cuz he knew i was doing my stuff but still.

 

Some days i'd go in for 3 hrs to set up experiments and let it run, some days i'd be there for a bit long, some days i wouldn't go in at all esp. during exams

 

the end of the year gets a bit hectic tho cuz u gotta finish up some experiments and write up a report, but it's not that hard as long as you find the right person

 

it was the easiest A i got in ugrad, 9 credits too (that's 3 half-courses for u UofTers)

[jk.gill29]

Thanks everyone for the advice! The honours project counts for 9 credits but as apart of my course load. I'm not sure if I would enjoy doing research or not and if it's worth my time or effort....

[future_doc]

Follow your interests.