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Course review
Review by: Beth N
University: Oxford University
Course: Physiology
Year of study: 1st
Level of Study: Undergraduate
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The course in general
How many contact hours do you have in the average week?
16-20
Ideally, what 3/4 subjects would you recommend doing in order to be in the best position for your course?
Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Psychology/PE/Physics/Further Maths could all be useful.
Why did you decide to study your degree programme?
I was interested in going into research in a number of areas, but in particular exercise and sports physiology. The course does not have a particularly strong emphasis on these areas, but gives a good grounding in physiology as a whole, and there is the opportunity to choose modules that most interest you in second and third years.
Describing your average day
Explain how your day is made up. For example, do you have labs/seminars/tutorials/lectures?
FIRST YEAR:
Generally 1-3 hour-long lectures in the morning.
3-hour practical, or tutorials in the afternoons. Average 1-2 practicals per week, and between 1 and 4 tutorials which you arrange with your tutors. The tutorial timetable can be quite variable week on week, since the tutors all work to their own timescale and don't really know/care what other work you have going on.
How much extra work/reading are you required to do out of lectures?
Around 3-8 hours (but you can definitely spend longer if you have it!) on preparation work (usually an essay) is required before each tutorial.
Occasional lab write ups but these don't take too long.
Going over lecture notes as you go along can be very useful when it comes to end-of-year exams, but most people don't seem to bother until it comes to revising.
Is there anything else you think is relevant or that you would like to add in respect of your course?
Please note: Last intake for this course is 2009 or 2010 - structure will change thereafter, although there should be some equivalent.
The best and worst parts of the course
What do you like best about your degree programme?
The small numbers mean that you get to know everyone on your course which has been really nice.
What do you like least about your degree programme?
Sometimes too much can be left to tutors, who teach what they want/their areas of expertise and sometimes people end up with gaps in the fundamental knowledge. You have to be quite proactive if you feel there's an area that you're weak on that you need to go over.
Academics and course content
What do you think of your university's academics and facilities?
In general, second-to-none. Labs are good, excellent number of tutors with all manner of expertise. Sometimes can be difficult to communicate with though.
Explain how you expected your course to be and how it compares to how it actually is. Give an outline of the content of the course.
First year:
Content: 3 "prelim" exams at end of the year - Biochemistry, Physiology & Pharmacology, and Neuroscience.
P&P takes up the most time in terms of volume of content, and teaching.
Teaching methods - lectures, practicals, occasional seminars, and college-based tutorials.
Year 2/3: Choose 2 from 5 modules to study in depth. Research project and extended essay as well as final exams.
Module options:
Myocardial, Vascular and Respiratory Biology
Infection & Immunity (though this requires a lot of extra work - ie additional lectures)
Cellular Signalling
Neuroscience
Molecular Medicine
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University review
Review by: Beth N
University: Oxford University
Course: Physiology
Year of study: 1st
Level of Study: Undergraduate
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Describing your university
Sum up your university in one paragraph:
An amazing place to be! There is so much on offer, academically and non, that the only difficulty you'll have is fitting everything in! And there is no such thing as an "Oxford" stereotype - everyone worries that they won't meet people they like/who are similar to them, but trust me, you will. The atmosphere is very unlike school in that almost everyone gets along with everyone, despite differing interests. And because of the college system, you end up with a core 'year group' of college friends which is a wonderful social base. Then you can go out and meet people from university societies/course/out and about.Academically, yes its tough, yes you'll have to work hard, but it DOES NOT mean you can't have a life as well!
What is the academic life like at your university?
Tough, expectations are high, but if you're bright enough to get in, and organised with your time, it shouldn't be a problem. Expect to have the odd essay crisis or blip when work catches up with you.
Describe your Freshers' Week - was it as you expected, better or worse? Why?
Fantastic fun, better than expected, but utterly exhausting!
What is the best and worst thing about your university?
Best things: College system, vast array of extracurriculars, wide range of people (very international)
Worst: expectations can be very high, which can be good but at times you will feel out of your depth. Time management very important although it is perfectly possible to have a 'life' as well as your degree.
Sport and extra curricular
What are the sport and other activities on offer like at your university?
Great range of student-run sports clubs at university level, most at a very good standard nationally. Obviously outstanding for rowing, but rugby, football, cricket, athletics/xc, hockey, tennis, basketball, orienteering, modern pentathlon, dancesport and many more obscure - university level is very good.
Also have the opportunity for college sport - much more participation orientated (as opposed to performance). Most colleges have rugby/netball/football/tennis/hockey teams which anyone can play in.
Other activities - music fantastic - plenty of university wide groups from classical and contemporary orchestras and groups, to jazz and pop. Also societies such as the indie music society. Lots of bands around, only area that seems to be lacking representation is folk music, of which there is very little apart from a few pub sessions around town.
Student drama is very strong, there are always student-run plays on at one of the many venues around town. Lots of opportunities to get involved.
A cappella seems very popular - there are several groups around.
The social scene
What is the social scene (and/or nightlife) like at your university? Is it particularly alcohol orientated?
Much better than I expected, there's a fair range of clubs, most fairly mainstream. Park End on a Wednesday has a great atmosphere, but there's a Student night on every night of the week. There are also loads of quite nice/classy cocktail bars - look out for the happy 'hours'. Pubs galore, and college bars great for cheap drinks before a night out.
Yes, for some people its very alcohol orientated, but equally there are plenty of people who don't drink/drink in moderation - it doesn't have to be. I'd say there's probably a much greater proportion of people who don't drink and/or go clubbing in Oxford compared to the norm for a student population.
What do you think of the city your university is based in or near (as a city)?
Beautiful city - cannot imagine a better place to live.
Just the right size - small enough to be able to walk/cycle everywhere, but has a definite 'buzz' and there's always people around, and lots of things going on. Its impossible to get bored!
Accommodation
Do you live in a halls of residence or a student house (or college)? What would you suggest is best in your opinion?
College-owned accommodation for all three years - definitely the way forward. They sort everything - if ever you have a need a new light bulb, the maintenance team will fix it. And you even have someone to clean your room/kitchen/bathroom on a regular basis.
If you are in a hall or college, is it catered or self catered? Which is better for the first year in your opinion and why?
All colleges provide catering, some provide self catering facilities as well, so you can choose how much you make use of the catered 'hall'. Some colleges have great food, others not so good. One note: if you plan to do lots of extracurriculars, find a college which provides kitchens, since hall hours tend to be limited and you don't want to miss dinner if you're out playing sport!
Approximately, what is the average cost of accommodation per week in your first year for catered and non-catered halls/colleges?
About £1000 a term, depending on the college. They can be quite expensive.
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