I am afraid I wont do well in the biomedical specialization program. If I happen to fail in 2nd year, what can I do? Are there lots of labs in this program? What's ur opinion of this program?

Thanks

if you got into university, im sure you're not stupid. just go to class and do your work.

There is no difference between the specializations in second year. If you find it's too much work or you hate 2L06 then you can always switch into core. If you fail courses in second year, you can retake them or switch programs and take other courses instead.

Check the course calendar to see if there are "lots of labs". "Lots" is a relative term.

As starfish said, second year biochem students have the same courses (for the most part) regardless of the specialization. The specialization is difficult but it's not impossible. Go to all your classes, work hard and don't procrastinate. As for your labs, you'll have 4 hours a week for Biochem 2L06 and 3 hours every other week for Chem 2OA3/2OB3.

If you find the specialization difficult, you can try switching into the core. I'm pretty sure you'll still have the same two labs but core offers more electives, especially upper year.

Does anyone have any idea what the program size is for the Biomed spec?

Originally Posted by Quiver

Does anyone have any idea what the program size is for the Biomed spec?

40ish?

Or maybe that's in both specializations combined I don't remember exactly, and it might have changed, but for some reason the number 40 sticks out.

Biomedical specialization won't affect you in second year. I was in the specialization to start with and then from 2L06 I learned that I didn't want to pursue research, so I switched into core.

I may be a bit biased, but I love the biochem program. Everyone is really nice. Sometimes, I think that it the people in the program is what makes it so great.

Biochem courses are not difficult. In second year you will probably only really have difficulty with orgo. Everyone does fine in 2L06; though it is a lot of work. Plus, with the changes in the program, you no longer have to take physical or analytical chemistry.

Originally Posted by yummy!

Biomedical specialization won't affect you in second year. I was in the specialization to start with and then from 2L06 I learned that I didn't want to pursue research, so I switched into core.

I may be a bit biased, but I love the biochem program. Everyone is really nice. Sometimes, I think that it the people in the program is what makes it so great.

Biochem courses are not difficult. In second year you will probably only really have difficulty with orgo. Everyone does fine in 2L06; though it is a lot of work. Plus, with the changes in the program, you no loner have to take physical or analytical chemistry.

WHAT?! When did that happen?! I had no idea lol. That's crazyy. Do specializations have to take them?

The changes start this September. I believe the program requirements can be found online. No more cell bio or membranes either.

biochems soft.

Originally Posted by starfish

WHAT?! When did that happen?! I had no idea lol. That's crazyy. Do specializations have to take them?

Nope, they don't. You just choose classes from the Biochemistry Course List now, though they are both on that list so you can take them if you want. Would you say those two courses are useful/interesting?

http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /calen...14/pg2432.html
http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /calen...14/pg1516.html

Originally Posted by Quiver

Nope, they don't. You just choose classes from the Biochemistry Course List now, though they are both on that list so you can take them if you want. Would you say those two courses are useful/interesting?

http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /calen...14/pg2432.html
http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /calen...14/pg1516.html

2P03 was neither useful nor interesting.
I found bioanalytical to be useful AND interesting, and definitely was helpful throughout the rest of my degree, but it was really hard taking it right at the beginning of second year. I really don't think it would be as bad taking it in third year. But I kind of thought of this course as some sort of medicine...tastes awful and you don't like having to take it, but at the end of the day it's a really good thing that you did. Although, there is a different prof now, so the course probably isn't the exact same.
If you're in a specialization and/or looking to do lab work, I'd recommend bioanalytical. If you're planning on steering clear of any lab work, then the course probably won't be as beneficial to you.

BIOCHEM 3EE3, 3H03, 3X03, 3Y03, 4EA3, 4H03, 4J03, 4M03, 4N03, 4Q03, 4S03, 4Y03;

For the list of courses here, any recommended courses to take?

*delete this post*

Originally Posted by lovekblue

BIOCHEM 3EE3, 3H03, 3X03, 3Y03, 4EA3, 4H03, 4J03, 4M03, 4N03, 4Q03, 4S03, 4Y03;

For the list of courses here, any recommended courses to take?

if youre going into 2nd year biochem, dont take any of these. you only get 2 electives, consider stats 2b03 (bird course) and/or bio 2b03 (another pretty easy/fair course) or take something you will enjoy.