PSL302 at u of t? urgent help!!

[wqzmbshz]

GOtta take it for program & timetable conflicts. anyone taken it before, coz i heard its one of the most complained killer courses at u of t. so how to study and do well in the course? help!

[SamInfinity]

You need to go to class, study hard, and know your material. Cramming will NOT help you in this course.

[wqzmbshz]

You need to go to class, study hard, and know your material. Cramming will NOT help you in this course.

since i did not perform so well in BIO150 (hate tricky MCs), will it be a indicator for PSL302 as well? ( same place for lecture, same type of exam ques...)

[xOnic_]

hey, I am also in the same - got slapped around in bio150, and also taking psl302 in this coming semester. I still haven't heard anything pleasant about this course - 4% bell curve down in a previous year (ouch!), but I am in it to fill to my physio preq. for dentistry (prolly could take an lower lvl physio tho), and also to fill in my hmb major (unless i get into another post). Just curious why some1 would choose to take phl302 over lower physio courses. Of course, unless you are in a physio specialist.

But back on topic, I feel that this is one of those courses where I will really have to hit the books hard and consistently and perhaps even reading ahead and making personal notes. However, I don't think the test can be comparable to bio150.

[HBP]

hey, I am also in the same - got slapped around in bio150, and also taking psl302 in this coming semester. I still haven't heard anything pleasant about this course - 4% bell curve down in a previous year (ouch!), but I am in it to fill to my physio preq. for dentistry (prolly could take an lower lvl physio tho), and also to fill in my hmb major (unless i get into another post). Just curious why some1 would choose to take phl302 over lower physio courses. Of course, unless you are in a physio specialist.

But back on topic, I feel that this is one of those courses where I will really have to hit the books hard and consistently and perhaps even reading ahead and making personal notes. However, I don't think the test can be comparable to bio150.

4% linear adjustment down, still hurting my heart.

MC's are tricky, but I like that since you can often pick the right answer without thoroughly knowing the material. The right answer often conflicts with the other 3 options. Get the past tests, do them hard. Tests are more T/F like than real MC, because all the questions are CHOOSE THE CORRRECT OPTION/INCORRECT OPTION type.

wgzmbshz, regarding your conflicting schedule, I missed practically all the lectures, listened to posted recordings and did fine. You don't need to add any fill-ins like BIO250. The cardio section is terribly taught though, so make sure you pick up Silverthorne (which I heard was an excellent textbook, though I did not use it.)

Take my advice with a heap of salt though if you had troubles with BIO150.

[SamInfinity]

since i did not perform so well in BIO150 (hate tricky MCs), will it be a indicator for PSL302 as well? ( same place for lecture, same type of exam ques...)

Apples and oranges. The multiple choices can be tricky or not, depending on how you look at it. What's key for this course is getting the past test packages and getting practice on what tricks to watch out for. The wording is very specific such that if you know the material, you'll be able to pick out the right answer pretty easily, but if not, all the answers sound correct.

A lot of people in the past have taken it over the summer (they say it's easier). Whether or not that's the case, I don't know. I will say that for the regular sessions, MacKay (if he's still teaching it) is one of the WORST lecturers, but I thoroughly enjoyed Duffin (pretty sure he's retired, but he may still be teaching) and Perumalla. Actually, the latter two profs is what made me continue through physiology as a specialist.

[SamInfinity]

4% linear adjustment down, still hurting my heart.

You must've had a decently smart class. In my year, we got tutorial bonus marks AND marks were adjusted upwards (or we just got REALLY hard questions =p)

[HBP]

To add, I've heard terrible things about the lower level PSL201. Even though PSL302 is supposed to be a killer, it's well structured and if you're dedicated you can do well (or so I've heard, I managed with cramming). Depending on the profs for 201 (which constantly change) you may not be up for the same treat.

[HBP]

You must've had a decently smart class. In my year, we got tutorial bonus marks AND marks were adjusted upwards (or we just got REALLY hard questions =p)

If only Mackay believed that.

We also had the bonuses (4.5%) but that was practically taken away with the adjustment. Mackay's response to the masses for his reasoning was that he did not believe our year to be "exceptional" and should have an average of C- like every other.

I believe some of the class is still petitioning. Although I'm still happy with my mark, I was really expecting my rightful mark.

[wqzmbshz]

do psl300h and psl301h also have bonus marks? i am debating whether to do the 1 half or the full course...

I heard only psl302 has it. but all those who take psl302 are either for program requirement or exccessive course overlap with no choice but to take it(my senario)..

[HBP]

do psl300h and psl301h also have bonus marks? i am debating whether to do the 1 half or the full course...

Yes, they do have bonus marks.

If I could go back, I would do the PSL300 + PSL301 separately (I'm also in NRS), the students who enrolled in these courses did not get scaled down 4%, even though the course is the exact same. The disadvantage to doing them separately is that you have to do well on every test, there is no chance to make it up with later tests (as there are only two).

PSL300 + PSL301 = 32% midterm, 68% exam + some bonus marks (I think possibility for 2-2.5% per semester)

PSL302 = 2 16% midterms, 2 34% exams + 4.5% marks over the year.

So if you're sure you can do well, take 300/301 (it removes you from the chance of being fcuked in the end).

[jokershun]

Here's my advice on PSL302. I took this course in the summer before my 2nd year.

The Fall Course - very hard. But if you are a nerd, then it won't be a big deal. All tests are MC. You'd better keep up with the pace, especially the neuro section. Mackay's section is the hardest. Getting 80%+ is challanging.

The Summer course- very easy. each section is taught completely by a different lectuerer. Many are guest lectuerer, meaning that the main instructor only reuse the old tests. When i took the course, the neuro section used EXACTLY the same question as the previous year (I got 97%, lol, as many got 100%). So, many ppl aced the section. If you elect to take this one, buy the SUMMER test packages, NOT the winter one, as they are completely different. Getting 85%+ wasn't a big deal in this one.

[D-3vil]

I took the fall half course (PSL300H?) as a bird course two years ago and had Mackay teaching it. Needless to say, while I didn't find it super hard, it also didn't qualify as a bird course. However, I crammed my way through without any major issues and I was happy with my mark in the end.

[bakeks]

The cardio section is terribly taught though, so make sure you pick up Silverthorne (which I heard was an excellent textbook, though I did not use it.)

Does this mean that the textbook is not mandatory? I understand that they recommend it but are the lecture notes enough to get a good mark in the course?

[infinite.chaoz]

Does this mean that the textbook is not mandatory? I understand that they recommend it but are the lecture notes enough to get a good mark in the course?

I think the stuff you get from silverthorn you can pretty much get it from any other phys book. Test MC will be from lecture notes.