WELCOME TO THE START OF A SERIES CALLED TIPS & SNIPS. The first part of my upcoming blogs will include tips and stuff I would’ve personally loved to know when I was in high school and the second part of my upcoming blogs will focus on snippets of my life right now.
This week and last week I’ve had three mid-term tests thrown at me from all directions! This past fortnight, those doing biomed have been living in constant dread and those doing health sci just want to cry. Today…I will be answering one of the most philosophical questions ever asked: BIOMED OR HEALTH SCI?
THE BASICS
The rank scores and subject requirements. You can check the table A and B subjects here. If you need any help to reach your full potential in your final year, here are some resources that saved my life last year:
For Maths: Nayland Maths, Statistics Learning Centre
For Sciences: Nobraintoosmall, Bestchoice Chemistry, Pass Biology
For everything: Learn Coach, StudyTime, Studyit
BREAKING IT DOWN
Myth: Health Sci is more chill / easier than Biomed
There are four core Papers (in green above) which are common between BOTH biomed and health sci. Then there is your gen-ed paper which you get to choose. There are 3 different, non-core papers (in yellow above) between the two courses. The courses are very similar in the first year (differing by just 3 papers!), so of course health sci is by no means easier than biomed. The only difference between those three non-core papers is that the health sci non-cores are more english-based while the biomed non-cores are more science-based. You can search any of these courses up on the Uni website to find out more about them 🙂
*By the way, all the papers in each course listed above are for those intending to apply for medicine, pharmacy or optometry. If you want to do a BSc majoring in Biomed or BHSc with no intention to apply for any of these, then there is much more flexibility in choosing your papers.
What the heck is a Gen-Ed?
A gen-ed is a paper that gives you the opportunity to learn something new outside of the field you are studying. The range of Gen-eds are so diverse – from arts to commerce to law to languages! For both biomed and health sci, you can choose a gen-ed from here or here.
*Make sure it’s offered in Sem 2 by clicking on it, as this is when you have to take it
PATHWAYS TO EXCITING PLACES
What makes both Biomed and Healthsci pretty interesting is that not only can they lead to their respective degrees but they also open up heaps of other pathways! Both can lead to medicine or pharmacy, but only biomed can lead to optometry. For pharmacy, you can also apply after doing a first year BSc in other majors like Medicinal Chemistry, Food Science, Nutrition and Pharmacology.
What if I don’t wanna apply for Med/Pharm/Optom?
I understand that not everyone is doing biomed or health sci as a pathway to something else. While the first years of both courses are very similar, it is the next two years where you really get to really differentiate. Health Science becomes more focused on population health whereas Biomed is more focused on medical-based science. You can always do biomed or health sci first year and switch to the other (or many other BSc majors!) in the second year by cross crediting your papers, so nothing you have completed is a waste of time! The great thing about Uni is how flexible it is.
SO…WHY DID I DO BIOMED?
Personally, I didn’t do Health Sci…because I couldn’t get in! I didn’t do table A subject in my final year. I also really enjoy physics and the physics paper in biomed, which is not in health sci, appealed to me. Also I hate writing essays, and biomed has no essays or assignments 😛
Still not sure? Just apply for both Health Science and Biomed because when University offers roll round in January next year, you may have changed your mind. You can apply here!
SNIPPETS OF LIFE
I’ll keep this fortnight’s snips short and sweet because my blog ended up being super duper loooong.
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- My lil baby I made in my Embryology Lab
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- Adventures at the Domain Wintergarden
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- “Study Figure 5 to answer Question” – This was actually in our test. No joke.
Have any burning questions? Leave a comment 🙂 Happy decision making!
Hello! In applying for the programme, do I choose Bachelor of Science and then pick Biomed science(specialization) as major to get into Biomed?? Is that right?
one of the best blogs that i have ever read
Hey there, to get into med school through heath science or biomed, is it necessary to take physics in ncea?
hi I am currently a level 2 student and I want to get into BioMed but I didn’t take physics this year, what topics would I have to study for the entry exam
I’m a year 12 this year and I want to become either a nutritionist or pharmacist but i don’t know whether I should take biomed or heath sci when i go to uni….also, i don’t do physics this year and i can’t next year so does that mean healthsci is the best for me?? However, biomed has a wider pathway so idk anymore
Hello. Is it really alright to apply both in bio med and health sciences at the same time?
Hi there, I’m currently year 12 and I wanna be a doctor, more specifically a gp. I take bio, chem, phys, eng, and stats. What courses should I take in uni to become a doctor? The health sci and biomed stuff confuse me :’) Plus idk what courses to take after the first year.
Hey there, first of all thankyou for being such a help to everyone!
I just wanted to know what other career options there are in biomed if I do not wish to do pharmacy nursing or med school etc. Just as a look into it as fall back options maybe?
Hi! Biomedical science is a degree with a diverse range of options. In your second and third year, you can start to focus on a specific research area within Biomedical Science that you’re interested in (you can check them out here: http://www.science.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/subjects-and-specialisations/ug-majors/biomedical-science-ug/biomedical-science-year-3.html), which can lead to many opportunities in research-based careers. There’s also post-graduate options too; you can do honours, a postgraduate diploma and masters in biomedical science (leading to doing a PhD in biomedical science). The uni and clubs often hold events showcasing the career options from different science degrees which you can attend during the year. Hope that helped 🙂
Hi! Im just wondering is it a 100% guarantee that ill get into biomed if i just pass the 280 points?
Hiya pancake!!! I’m can’t really confirm anything as I’m just a student blogger buuuut as far as I know for a programme like Biomed, you will be offered if you meet the rank score requirements (AND the other university entry requirements like numeracy and literacy). I know of those who slipped into biomed this year with a 280 rank score 🙂
Here’s where to check out all the requirements for those who did NCEA:
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/applications-and-admissions/entry-requirements/undergraduate-entry-requirements/new-zealand-secondary-school-applicants/national-certification-educational-achievement.html
Enjoy your holidays!
Hi there! I am a level 2 student this year and going into level three next year, I’ve taken bioogy this year and have chosen to do it next year although I dont want to, I was just wondering for the BIOSCI 107 – Biology for Biomedical Science: Cellular Processes and Development, is it mainly level 2 knowledge or level 3 as well? Thank you x :))
BIOSCI107 is all new stuff. In fact whether you took biology at all, won’t even make a difference! it’s about human and developmental biology which we’ve never really covered in high school at all so don’t stress 🙂 much better to take a subject you enjoy! Also level 2 bio is pretty much sufficient to help you with BIOSCI101.
Enjoy your holiday!!!
hey,
i’m currently year 12 and im planning on doing healthsci or biomed but i don’t take chemistry. I cant take Chem in level 3 so i am reconsidering my options. is it possible to do well in the chem paper without the background knowledge? what should i do to prepare myself for chem in uni
Thank you 🙂
Hey student790 🙂
Are you planning to do healthsci as a pathway for med or pharm? Because if you are not, you don’t actually have to take CHEM110 for health science.
But assuming you are, since you are considering biomed too, then CHEM110 is a core paper for both healthsci and biomed first year.
CHEM110 is mostly new chem content for NCEA students…a background in acid/base chemistry and organic chemistry from NCEA was definitely very helpful though!
You could look over Level 2 organic and reactivity and Level 3 organic and aqueous if you really wanted to…but if you put extra effort into the paper right from the start, you should be just fine 🙂
Hey Sonna!
Yes, I am planning to take either Biomed or Healthsci as a pathway for Pharm 🙂 Thank you for your reply, I was quite worried that not taking chem during highschool was going to be a problem but now i am a little bit relieved! I love your blogs and Goodluck for your Interview!! You can do this! 😀
Hi there, Im currently a year 12 student who is much more interested in the lab work and doing Biomed than the population studies for health science. I want to get into medicine but I am very poor at physics and have only achieved level 2. Will doing Biomed and getting poor results in the physics paper affect my chances on getting into medicine?
Hey Ash! Healthsci and biomed as a first-year pathway to medicine are very similar (both have to do BIOSCI107, CHEM110, POPHLTH111, MEDSCI142 & a GENED of your choice). The only difference is the three non-core papers between each pathway. PHYS160 is a non-core biomed paper.
When applying to medicine, only the GPA of the 4 core papers is important. You still need to make a B+ average across ALL your 8 papers to be eligible for an interview but only the core GPA will be considered for entry, so other than that, your performance in PHYS160 does not have an effect on medicine entry. It’s probably explained much better here: https://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/assets/fmhs/faculty/FOR/current-students/FAQs/MBChB-FAQ%20.pdf
You still have a whole year ahead of you to find out what works for you! I only figured out what study methods worked for me around the end of this semester 😛 Good luck for your exams!!!
Hi! so you would just have to choose the core papers that are required, and the other four papers you can choose whatever you like? so you dont have to choose the physics paper and can swap it with something else?
Hi Sonna,
I am a year 13 student who is hoping to get into The Biomed program. I take all three sciences as well as English and Drama. Do you have any tips surrounding achieving a 280 Rank score? I am currently stressing that I wont quite make it. 😬
Also, do you know if there is any way I could get in to biomed if i didnt quite make the rank score?
Thanks heaps,
-Laura
P.S: I really enjoy reading your blog 💕
Hi Laura! Thank you for reading my blog 🙂 My tips would be to 1) focus on what you do best, as only the best 80 credits from Level 3 are counted in the rank score. A 280 rank score can be achieved from someone who gains 40 merit credits, 40 excellence credits (even if they fail the rest of their credits). Since you’re doing five subjects, you’ll probably be enrolled in at least 100 credits. 2) the websites I linked in this blog should be super helpful for your science subjects too. NCEA exemplars & past papers are also a godsend for succeeding in NCEA, as they usually test in the same style each year for a subject. 3) prepare for your mock exams, so that you will already be prepared and have time to improve before the real deal in November. 4) talk to your teachers about it and I’m sure they will be more than happy to help ya out 🙂
Thank you so much! 💕
Hi,
Could you please tell me more about the differences in papers/assignments between biomed and health sci? Like how the essays, assignments and papers work and what the papers are based on (like what precisely in physics, etc).
Thank you!
Hi! Both healthsci and biomed take the same four cores: BIOSCI107, CHEM110, POPLHLTH111 & MEDSCI142. Biomed non-cores are BIOSCI101 (evolution, genetics, cells, basic biochemistry), BIOSCI106 (proteins, biochemistry) & PHYS160 (mechanics, waves, electricity, medical physics). Biomed has no essays/assignments really. They are mostly assessed from labs, a mid-sem test and end-of-sem exam per paper. From what I’ve heard, healthsci non-cores have 2-3 essays/assignments per paper, and rather than labs, have tutorials. Hope that helps!
Hi, that help a lot! Could you please tell me the breakdown of the four core courses like you did for the bio-med non cores please?
Thank you 🙂
Hi Aariana 🙂 BIOSCI107 (cells & tissues, embryology, muscle, neurons, blood & immune), CHEM110 (isomers, spectroscopy, organic chemistry, acids & bases), POPLHLTH111 (studies, measuring population health, global health issues) & MEDSCI142 (the body systems) 🙂
Hey!
Im currently year 12, and am looking into pharmacy or optometry, I looked at the papers for both Health Science and Biomed and saw that there was a physics paper in Biomed, I haven’t taken physics and can’t pick it up next year, so how hard is the paper and would I be able to understand the work I need to do? Also If i do decide that I want to do optompetry but dont get into biomed and take health science would I still be able to get into the program?
I didn’t take Physics in years 12 or 13. I studied really diligently and consistently in PHYSICS 160 and got an A- through effort. You can too! 🙂
With regards to admission into BOptom: you’d probably be best to send an email to the Admissions Office (fmhs@auckland.ac.nz) as they’ll be able to give you official advice. My understanding is that the important thing is that you complete the 6 papers that are used for selection: https://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/assets/fmhs/faculty/FOR/future-undergraduates/docs/bopt-faq.pdf
Oh wow! That is a great result! congratulations! hopefully your still at Uni in 2019, so you can help me 🙂 If i am able to get in
Hey! Im currently in year 12, and am looking to do either Pharmacy or Optometry, so I’ll need to take Health Science or Biomed. The problem I have is that I didn’t take physics this year and can’t pick it up next year so I was wondering if the PHYS160 paper is hard and if i’d be able to pick it up even though I didn’t take physics?
Also, if I am unable to get into Biomed and take health science but then decided I would like to do optometry, would I be able to get in? Is it an approved course to get in to optometry?
Hi again! Unfortunately you’d have to do biomed first year to be able to apply to optom. However you can also apply to optom after doing a degree (graduate entry). So a possible option could be doing a Health Sci degree and then applying to optometry…? But keep in mind, you can apply as a graduate with ANY degree from ANY nz or recognised uni 🙂 Check this out: https://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/assets/fmhs/faculty/FOR/future-undergraduates/docs/bopt-faq.pdf
Hiya! I haven’t actually done the PHYS160 Paper yet (it’s in 2nd sem), but from what I’ve heard it’s mostly based around NCEA level 2 and 3 Physics. Most first year university courses start from the basics anyway & I know plenty of biomedders who have never taken Physics at high-school as well 🙂
Sweet! Thank you so much for answering my question 🙂
Hey! In the application process you can only choose one programme?
How do you apply for both health science and biomed?
Thanks
Hi Bea,
When you apply, you can apply for up to six different programmes. Apply for the BHSc and the BSc with a major in Biomedical Science. Then when you receive an offer (once you have completed year 13) you choose which one you would like to go into.
All the best!
Hey,
I’m currently deciding on which biology externals I will be sitting at the end of the year. I was wondering which exams out of the three would you recommend and which one helped you the most now.
Thank you 🙂
Level 3 Speciation and all the Level 2 Bio externals are somewhat helpful for BIOSCI101 as it is a basic bio paper. However for BIOSCI107, everything is pretty much new stuff as it is biomedical based science! Hope that helped 🙂
OMG thank you it helped me a lot as I was interested in this pathway:) No essays or assignments very appeal to me😄
Glad that it helped you out! Now that I’m doing a loooot of science, I’m missing those essays just a little bit 🙂
Just wanted to say hi:) I thought this was an awesome blog and I look forward to seeing more of your tips and snips!!
Hi, thank you! Looking forward to writing more!!!
Omg, I bet you got the highest mark possible for your clay baby. Was it hard to make? People say you have to get it super perfect to get the best mark. How’d you find it?
Rumour has it that it’s an intense lab, but it really isn’t! I found it to be the most enjoyable lab so far 🙂 You are marked on if the structures of your embryo are present and in the right places, not so much on how perfect it looks so don’t worry!