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Originally Posted by VoyozooT
Hi, can someone from the program describe what it was like to be in this program and what type of things do you learn in this program (like courses and labs and is it interesting?). Also how is the workload? is it possible to maintain a good gpa in this program?
Thanks!
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I loved the Biology (Physiology Specialization).
In second year, there are field labs through Biology 2F03 but they're pretty fun and straight-forward (e.g. one is a hike through Cootes Paradise). Biology 2B03 is easy, there was a lab component, but I think they might have scrapped it. Biology 2A03 is probably the most indicative of the subject matter that you'll be learning about. The focus is on the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, renal system, as well as minor things about hormones and muscles.
If you're interested in anatomy there is a third year vertebrate anatomy course. And there is also the first year Kin 1Y03/1YY3 courses. For more on neuromuscular physiology Kin 2C03 is good. A lot of the psych courses on the physiology list are good if you have an interest in neural physiology (Psych 2D03/2E03/2F03/3J03...). Keep in mind that most of the program focuses on comparative physiology (especially Biology 3UU3) so you'll be learning about various organisms.
Bio 3U03 is probably the most lab intensive course outside of your thesis. There are weekly labs and you'll have to write a formal report bi-weekly. Still, it's a really interesting course - especially if you enjoy the systems I mentioned early. The most lab-intensive component of this program is the undergraduate thesis where you get to pick your area of interest. If you're not interested in wet lab research, then you can always do clinical research.
There was a fairly heavy workload in third year: Biology 3ZZ3, Biology 3P03, Biochem 3G03, Biology 3UU3, Biology 3U03 all in one year. Keep in mind that you don't necessarily have to take all of them at the same year. The key to success with this program isn't the ability to memorize every single detail. Moreso, using key principles to reason things out is far more important (and efficient). I managed to do relatively well in the program despite being lazy during my fourth year (you can PM me for more info about this).