The number of Physiology students at UBC is already quite limited, but what makes me academically different is that I am completing a minor in Physics and Astronomy. The spectrum of courses I am taking therefore encompasses life science courses as well as math, physics, and astronomy.
I am here (on blogger) because I believe that a personal perspective on one's experience in University can often be an incredibly helpful and thought-provoking tool for others considering their academic paths. Of course, this is just a thought. If such a result ensues, I would be deeply thankful that my experiences might help guide or encourage others towards their proper callings.
My specific motivation, however, lies in the fact that, although my choice in program may be unusual, it is likely far from unique. The next physiology student (or any life science student for that matter) who decides to minor in physics (or any mathematical, analytical, or physical science field) might find use in these pages.
The structure of this blog will be fairly loose, but posts are likely to fall into a number of categories.
Course evaluations
I tend to give detailed online evaluations at the ends of terms. However, it is disheartening to think that those words cannot reach students deciding which courses to take. In these posts, I will share my experience with specific courses. It is likely that these will make up the bulk of my early posts, as I blast through all my first and second year courses.
Note that I will not be making specific reference to my impressions of instructors. This is partly because I will make little effort to conceal my identity, but mainly because this information is likely to grow out of date as courses inevitably switch instructors over time. I will, however, make very brief reference to instructors if their teaching style or specific teaching methods significantly impacted my experience in a course, or if I believe that the instructor warrants an extremely high level of applause for their ability. For all other evaluations of instructors, ratemyprofs is generally decent as long as one keeps in mind its inherent biases.
Courses for which evaluations can be expected are...
Relatively soon:
- MATH 200, 223, 215.
- ENGL 112, 120.
- PHIL 230a, 433.
- PHYS 108, 200.
- BIOL 112, 200, 201, 205, 234.
- CHEM 123, 205, 211, 233, 235.
- STAT 241.
- MICB 202.
- MUSC 167.
After term 1 this year:
- PHYS 404.
- ASTR 303.
- MATH 300, 317.
After term 2 this year:
- PHYL 301, 303.
- BIOC 301, 302.
- PHYS 304.
- MATH 316.
- ANTH 227.
After next year (tentative):
- PHYL 422, 423, 424, 426, 430, 449.
- PHYS 301 (or 305, but not both).
- One other physics or astronomy course (likely ASTR 403).
Study tips
I am continually discovering more effective study methods. At some point, I'll share insight on my most significant study strategies from the last couple of years. Additionally, I'll post study tips as they come to mind, or as I learn them from others.
Due to my interest in study methods, this year I am taking part in SPAC (Science Peer Academic Coaches), and my first big study tip is to check out their website http://science.ubc.ca/students/spac. I highly recommend checking it out.
General experience/day to day life
This is, after all, a blog. Plenty of exciting stuff happens at UBC all the time, and when something really exciting happens, I'll write about it here if I have time.
In general, I'll try to remember to declare what "type" of post each post is.
Well, I essentially just wrote up a course outline. Perhaps just writing in this blog would have made all of this self explanatory, but whatever. In a way, this was as much for me as for you, which hopefully means my subsequent posts will be all the more organized and helpful to whoever might wish to read.
For now, cheers, and adios fellow UBCites. Enjoy the last week of summer before Imagine day!
