What Level 3 subjects are good for BSc/Major in Mechanical Systems?

[jasrulz63]

dc302 knows what underloading is?? 

Dropping physics looks like the best bet, since 86 said that he/she wanted to utilise all the breadth slots. The other option is dropping ESD1 which I've personally heard is quite useless and boring (not my words, I've never done the subject), and I don't think it's a prereq to any of the subjects listed there (I'm probably wrong though).

[liuetenant]

If ESD2 is done in summer, doesn't there mean a subject has to be lost somewhere, so 86 doesn't exceed the 300 credit point limit.

Yep that's right, he'll have to underload at some point.

i thought you could take additional summer subjects..if you need to fulfil prereqs or something? For example, i wanted to do: Calc 1 in Sem 1, Calc 2 in Sem 2. And then linear algebra in summer. I don't have to drop a subject elsewhere do i? 

[jasrulz63]

Yes you do, you can only take a maximum of 300 credit points (normally 4 subjects a semester). By doing a subject over summer, you need to take an underloaded semester with only 3 subjects somewhere in your degree, to make up for the extra subject you did.

[86]

I assume you do not wish to take any summer subjects? If that's the case then you may have to drop physics 2 (or do it later if you still wish).

No not really, but then again I don't know much about it.

I called them up about doing ESD2 in the first year and Physics 2 in the second year. It seems fine that I can do that but I'm dropping by tomorrow to go over it and make sure it's allowed.

I'm actually not over the 300 point limit - just that ESD2 should be done in the first year as you pointed out so I was wondering if I could swap and thus do a level 1 in the second year.

But from your knowledge, am I allowed to do any level of subject during any year? So for instance am i allowed to do a level 1 science in the third year? It depends on the prerequisites for what you want to major in right?

[Peedles]

Yeah, that's correct. For instance alot of people do higher level subjects in first year as it doesn't contribute to their GPA as much. They will then leave level 1 subjects which are generally easier to do in third year to maximise their GPA contribution for postgraduate health science courses.

[86]

Yeah, that's correct. For instance alot of people do higher level subjects in first year as it doesn't contribute to their GPA as much. They will then leave level 1 subjects which are generally easier to do in third year to maximise their GPA contribution for postgraduate health science courses.

Great thanks just a question though would doing that be more of a strategic thing? Wouldn't level 3 subjects in the first year be quite difficult, but be worth it in terms of GPA? Does breadth also contribute to GPA?

And this will sound silly but what exactly is GPA? I know in vague terms what it is but I don't even know what it's used for

[Peedles]

Yeah, that's correct. For instance alot of people do higher level subjects in first year as it doesn't contribute to their GPA as much. They will then leave level 1 subjects which are generally easier to do in third year to maximise their GPA contribution for postgraduate health science courses.

Great thanks just a question though would doing that be more of a strategic thing? Wouldn't level 3 subjects in the first year be quite difficult, but be worth it in terms of GPA? Does breadth also contribute to GPA?

And this will sound silly but what exactly is GPA? I know in vague terms what it is but I don't even know what it's used for

Well, for post graduate health science courses there is a good description here of what GPA entails  for that GPA for PostGraduate Medicine Explained

Yes it is a strategic thing. Breadth should be treated as any other subject, it's weighted the same (contributes to GPA) just as a normal science subject (common misconception).

GPA stands for grade point average and it is basically a means of calculating a 'score' which reflects your performance across your whole undergraduate study. Many postgraduate, masters, honours courses will use this to rank applicants for selection. However, whilst postgraduate health science courses calculate it as shown in the link above, other courses may have a different means of calculation.

[dc302]

dc302 knows what underloading is?? 

Dropping physics looks like the best bet, since 86 said that he/she wanted to utilise all the breadth slots. The other option is dropping ESD1 which I've personally heard is quite useless and boring (not my words, I've never done the subject), and I don't think it's a prereq to any of the subjects listed there (I'm probably wrong though).

ESD1 could be dropped, but there isn't any other subject that can replace it, unless 86 wants to do a subject from a completely different discipline (ie chemistry).

If ESD2 is done in summer, doesn't there mean a subject has to be lost somewhere, so 86 doesn't exceed the 300 credit point limit.

Yep that's right, he'll have to underload at some point.

i thought you could take additional summer subjects..if you need to fulfil prereqs or something? For example, i wanted to do: Calc 1 in Sem 1, Calc 2 in Sem 2. And then linear algebra in summer. I don't have to drop a subject elsewhere do i? 

As jazrulz said, the only way to do more than 300 subjects is to get permission (and have good reason) to take a CAP subject, for which you will have to pay full fee (and up front too I think). In any case, people do not normally do this, but many people do take summer subjects for various reasons, such as failing a subject beforehand or because their structure requires it to be like that.

[86]

dc302 knows what underloading is?? 

Dropping physics looks like the best bet, since 86 said that he/she wanted to utilise all the breadth slots. The other option is dropping ESD1 which I've personally heard is quite useless and boring (not my words, I've never done the subject), and I don't think it's a prereq to any of the subjects listed there (I'm probably wrong though).

ESD1 could be dropped, but there isn't any other subject that can replace it, unless 86 wants to do a subject from a completely different discipline (ie chemistry).

I have my level 1 and 2 minimums worked out - I just need 2 more level 3 science subjects to make up the final 25 points. (Currently only have the 50 points contributing towards the major @ level 3 - need 75)

As jazrulz said, the only way to do more than 300 subjects is to get permission (and have good reason) to take a CAP subject, for which you will have to pay full fee (and up front too I think). In any case, people do not normally do this, but many people do take summer subjects for various reasons, such as failing a subject beforehand or because their structure requires it to be like that.

Wait, I think there's a misconception I'm not over the 300 point limit, I'm actually under it even after all the advice (thanks) that you guys have given me. I just need the 2 level 3 sciences which I don't know where to pick from. There are physics and maths subjects but I don't qualify for it with my current plan. That's where I found the Civil subjects @ level 3 that I met the prerequisites for. Would you guys recommend me taking them for 3rd year?

And thanks Peedles

[jasrulz63]

Whoops, yeah that's my fault. For some reason I was thinking you were adding another subject in, instead of just moving one you already had into a different slot. Don't mind me, I'm just making it more confusing! I blame the GAMSAT study

[86]

Whoops, yeah that's my fault. For some reason I was thinking you were adding another subject in, instead of just moving one you already had into a different slot. Don't mind me! I blame the GAMSAT study

No worries at all, I'm extremely thankful you can find the time to help me with this, really appreciate it

And going off of what Peedles said, I made a move of engineering computation and foundation of electrical networks to the third year. They're level 2 so they should be easier - I saw the calculation used for the GPA so the x3 multiplier should fare a little better with easier level 2 subjects. But I'll have to get the specifics for engineering (or the relevant field for my major) somehow for how the GPA is calculated for it. So the 2 extra subjects at level 3 will be placed in semester 1 and 2 of the second year.

Would anyone know how the GPA is calculated for this?

[jasrulz63]

It really depends on what you're looking at, for example Master of Engineering (Mechanical), it isn't based off GPA, but instead;

An average of 65% in the final two years.

[86]

It really depends on what you're looking at, for example Master of Engineering (Mechanical), it isn't based off GPA, but instead;

An average of 65% in the final two years.

Yeah, in order to be eligible for the Masters right? Otherwise you'd have a relatively useless bachelors..

I read about that before the offers, thanks for reminding me So now that the GPA isn't really relevant, would you say undoing the swap I mentioned above would be good?

[dc302]

It really depends on what you're looking at, for example Master of Engineering (Mechanical), it isn't based off GPA, but instead;

An average of 65% in the final two years.

Yeah, in order to be eligible for the Masters right? Otherwise you'd have a relatively useless bachelors..

I read about that before the offers, thanks for reminding me So now that the GPA isn't really relevant, would you say undoing the swap I mentioned above would be good?

I honestly don't think it would matter though. 65% is and should be easy to achieve for someone who is planning on doing masters. If you can't then I would reconsider that career path altogether (given that you were actually trying in uni).

[86]

I honestly don't think it would matter though. 65% is and should be easy to achieve for someone who is planning on doing masters. If you can't then I would reconsider that career path altogether (given that you were actually trying in uni).

Yeah, I know I probably shouldn't comment now but 65% seems rather reasonable. I'm not the brightest person but hey I got into the course I wanted.

I'll see what gets said tomorrow, because if GPA is irrelevant I'll just do level 3's in the third year as per usual. It'll just be one less thing I have to factor in That, and I gotta ask for advice on what level 3 sciences I should pick up.

Thanks so much guys - your advice is invaluable. I'll post anything important tomorrow.