Originally Posted by philkolb31

Very good, so id be fine without it? And unrelated, how do you like the biochemistry program and any tips on getting in?

You'll be fine without it I haven't taken it yet- but keep in mind, if your a medschool prospect, you most likely need a full year of physics with lab, thats the only reason most people take 1BB3.

And i absolutely love biochem, at first i didn't... i found it really tough but once i got the hang of the time management and got the jist of how to balance my courses, i can definitely say its the best decision i made just work hard, and stay focused, and manage your time well and you'll do great !

Originally Posted by justinsftw

That's what happened to me.

Me too! Actually, I wasn't doing so well from the beginning, and I epically failed the final exam. And to think I aced high school physics. >.>

Originally Posted by philkolb31

Thats what im thinking, but the thing is for me highschool physics only went well for because we had a great teacher who was a pretty big fan of part marks and i dont want that to come back an bite me in the a** next year! I was thinking of taking 1LO3 first term and then 1BO3 second, and taking 1BB3 second year.

I see what you're saying, but frankly, I think 1L03 is a waste of time for those who have already taken it at high school. I got an A in my high school physics, and our syllabus was pretty great, too. We'd covered about 70% of what we did in 1B03. The problem - we did it in over two years, and I took a gap year after HS. So I completely forgot the most basic of things when I actually did the course(e.g., projectile motion), and added to that I fell sick for the first midterm. Completely blew the course.

...

I don't see how that was meant to encourage you to take the course, though...

Originally Posted by hamnahx02

You'll be fine without it I haven't taken it yet- but keep in mind, if your a medschool prospect, you most likely need a full year of physics with lab, thats the only reason most people take 1BB3.

And i absolutely love biochem, at first i didn't... i found it really tough but once i got the hang of the time management and got the jist of how to balance my courses, i can definitely say its the best decision i made just work hard, and stay focused, and manage your time well and you'll do great !

Awesome, it will be shocking to hear that med school is not on my mind: but depending how things go, i might as well take it at some point if i decide i want to try and go that way... and thats awesome, i was also thinking about doing the biomedical sciences specialization, is it pretty much the same as honours biochem in second year?

Originally Posted by philkolb31

Awesome, it will be shocking to hear that med school is not on my mind: but depending how things go, i might as well take it at some point if i decide i want to try and go that way... and thats awesome, i was also thinking about doing the biomedical sciences specialization, is it pretty much the same as honours biochem in second year?

second year it is... but third year it is much more difficult, and much less elective space if you stay in specialization- im actually switching out of specialization and staying in honors biochem for third year. But definitely see how second year goes and you can always make the switch and if you're smart and can handle the work then definitely do specialization - you get such amazing opportunities and the program is just amazing!

heres the required courses for both:
calender for H biochem: http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /CALEN...12/pg1513.html
calender for Biomed Specialization: http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /CALEN...12/pg1515.html

good luck!

Thanks so much! You have been super helpful Best of luck to you too!

Edit: Thanks to all

Yeah, most people seem to enjoy biochemistry. I think it's a pretty good program too but it's not a "med school program" if that's what you're looking for.

Biochemistry is great for research and lab work. You get a lot of useful research and lab experience in this program. The program is small so you get to know everyone in your year and most of the biochem profs are great too to converse with or network/work with in research or w/e.

I wasn't too interested in research after 2nd year so I stayed in the honours program.

It's not a hard program to get into imo. I think the cut off average is like 9.5 or something.