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Sorry! I know this is the wrong spot to post this questions. But can you explain what the following means: “this course is open to newly admitted first-year with fewer than 4 credits.” does that mean I can only take the course if I don’t have a “full 5.0 course timetable?”
Hi Alyssa,
You can take that course even if you are planning on registering for a full course load in the coming year. What that restriction means is that it’s for new students who have less than 4 credits under their belt at the time of registration. If you are a first year student getting ready to register for classes, you should be okay. The only time that would not be okay is if you have 4 or more transfer credits from high school, but I don’t think that’s a problem for 99% of new students.
Hope that helped!
Crystal
hi there, Crystal!!! Thanks so much for your reply! I also had another question regarding the following: Enrolment is limited and selection is based on performance in the following first-year required courses: BIO130H1, CHM138H1, CHM139H1 or their equivalents, and 1.5 full course equivalents from: BIO120H1, MAT135H1, MAT136H1, MAT137Y1, PHY131H1, PHY132H1.
First Year:
BIO120H1/PSL190H1, BIO130H1; CHM138H1, CHM139H1, PHY131H1, PHY132H1
First Year or upper years:
(MAT135H1, MAT136H1)/MAT137Y11
Can you explain to me from the above what I have to take first year? Can I take bio130, PSL190, chm138, chm139, and for the 1.5 course equivalents can i take bio 120H1 and phy131 and mat135??
Hi Alyssa,
Ahh… Another life science student. Welcome, young padawan.
It looks like you’re looking at subject post requirements – it’s great that you’re starting early!
It looks like PSL190 and BIO120 are equivalent, which means that out of the two, you can only choose one. This is what your course load might look like in first year:
BIO130
CHM138
CHM139
BIO120 OR PSL190
PHY131
PHY132
MAT135,MAT136 OR MAT137Y <– Remember this is a full year course, so it counts as 1 FCE
The reason why the list I have there is different than yours is because of the courses listed under the First Year heading. The rule of thumb when looking at these requirements is that a / = OR, comma or semicolon = AND. And the brackets meant that that set of courses go together. Kinda like a wonky U of T math formula. The thing with your program requirement is I can't quite figure out is why they decided to stipulate which courses they will look at for program selection (which will happen the summer after first year), not courses students are required to take — I don't think they're the same thing. Take my program's first year requirements for example:
First Year (2.5 FCE): (BIO120H1+BIO130H1)/150Y1; (CHM138H1+CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1; (MAT135H1, MAT136H1)/MAT135Y1/PHY131H1/PSY100H1
It says right away that out of that list, I only need to take 2.5FCE. Not the super confusing FCE consideration followed by an equally confusing course listing.
The best way to figure out how this works is to call, email or visit the program department. Not the same people as your registrar! They can tell you what all that means specifically. I'll see if I can get any of last year's first year life sci students to help you with this. Programs have changed since I finished my first year.
Sorry if this is confusing! I hope it helped even a little bit!
Crystal
Hey Alyssa!
This is Abdullah, resident lifesci nerd here. Just completed my first year. So, by the magic of Google; it looks like you are going to go into a Physiology Specialist program. Keep in mind that this is a limited program based your performance in first year. But don’t let that freak you out.
Now, as to your course load, it will look like something this.
BIO130
CHM138
CHM139
BIO120 OR PSL190
PHY131
PHY132
MAT135,MAT136 OR MAT137Y
Just like Crystal said. Now, it says this:
“Enrolment is limited and selection is based on performance in the …. and 1.5 full course equivalents from: BIO120H1, MAT135H1, MAT136H1, MAT137Y1, PHY131H1, PHY132H1. ”
You don’t have to take BIO120H1, all it means is that you have to take 1.5 (one full year, one half year, or 3 half year courses) courses from that list (so you have to take the two physics courses and math courses anyway, so you’re good), as they will be considered when you apply to your specialist program.
If you are going to drop BIO120H1, just keep in mind that you will not be able to do BIO220 and other EEB (Evolutionary and Ecological Biology) courses in the future. If you’re fine with this, then go ahead and not take the course. 🙂
Good luck with course selection!
– Abdullah
Sorry, I forgot to add, you have a choice between BIO120H1 or PSL190 and taking two electives. Or you can take both PSL190 and BIO120 and one elective. 🙂
– Abdullah S.
Hey there Crystal! Thanks so much! that helped a lot! you know for the math credits…can I take math second year, or is it better to get over with it in first year?
Hey Alyssa,
I think it would be a good idea to do math in your first year because some courses use it as a prerequisite. The best way to know for sure is to take a look at the standard 2nd year courses and check their prereqs.
Hope that helps! If anyone else would comment on this, that would be great!
Hey Abdullah!! Thanks for the help!!! But you know for bio120, lets say I dont take it (I want room for the quantum mechanics seminar course), how many doors will that close for me in the future? and do I need to take these evolutionary courses in the future? Just like most life sci students, I myself am also a med-hopeful…so would it be a bad idea if I dont take bio120? (BTW, what program in life sci are you doing?) thanks for your help!!
Hey Alyssa!
I’m a major in Cell and Molecular Biology with a double minor in Psychology and American Studies. If EEB isn’t your cup of tea, then don’t take it (I skimmed through most of your reqs. doesn’t look like EEB courses are a part of it really – double check though). With regards to medical schools, I don’t think it will put you at a disadvantage. Check the reqs. of some schools to be sure.
– Abdullah
Thanks Crystal and Abdullah!!! Now my other question is regarding the following:
First Year:
BIO120H1/PSL190H1, BIO130H1; CHM138H1, CHM139H1, PHY131H1, PHY132H1
First Year or upper years:
(MAT135H1, MAT136H1)/MAT137Y11
I can’t take math in second year right? because in order to take physics first year, its corequisite is math…
and Abdullah did you take physics for cell and molecular bio?
Yes, that’s correct. If a course has a co-requisite, this means you either have to be taking the prereq course at the same time or beforehand. So, yes, for physics, math is a must in first year.
And, nope, I did not take physics in my first year.
Hope this helps. 🙂
– Abdullah
Is there any way I can get around taking math? I have to take physics as a requirement for med school, but I really don’t want to take math. Do you think I can ask to be exempted or something?
Lolz. I wish.
But unfortunately, as a) it is an requirement for your major (which I believe is Physiology) and b) it is a co-requisite for Physics (I have tried asking the Physics Dept. in the past whether I could take Physics with another math course and they said no). So, no you can’t ask to be exempted. You just gotta take it unfortunately. And that’s university life, there are some courses that will suck and you will hate having to take them, but you gotta power through them.
good luck!
– Abdullah
Thank you!! 😀 YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!! 🙂 😀 Always answering my questions!! Thanks buddies!! 🙂 😀
Hi Alyssa,
Sorry for joining your post, but I found it extremely helpful. However, a quick question for Abdullah and Crystal. Do you know if its better to take MAT137Y1 for the entire year, or to split it up into MAT 135H1 and MAT136H1?
Hi Melissa,
Sorry for the late reply!
MAT137Y and MAT135/136 are two different math courses. They both cover calculus, but from what I know MAT137 is more intense, and delves deeper into the wonderful and slightly terrifying world of calculus. MAT135/136 is the standard route.
So really, it’s up to you and how much you love calculus 🙂
-Crystal
Hey guys!
I’m in pretty much the same position as Alyssa, but I have decided to take CHM139, MAT136, and the two physics courses in the summer. I’ve heard that there is a requirement for med school that you need to complete physics by the end of first year. Have I made a mistake?
Hi Sammy,
I think they mean a first-year level physics course, not taking a physics course by the end of first year. That means the 100-level physic courses. I believe they’re PHY131/132.
Hope that helps! Cheers,
Crystal