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April 2012 Moms
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Help me decide! CP - grad school related (long)

JFH2010JFH2010 member
in April 2012 Moms

I only HAVE to take two classes this semester, one core and one elective. I'm also writing my capstone paper and teaching a lab. Then I'll have two classes to take next semester and I'll be done.

Here's the problem: there are two electives that I want to take, and both are only offered in the fall. My program is dual degree MS in Conservation Biology, MPP in Environmental Policy. One of the classes is biological oceanography, the other is science writing. Here are my thoughts on each:

Biological oceanography: My program has been policy-heavy and I feel like I've missed out on good science courses. I really wanted to take a good, solid science course this semester. I also don't have any background in marine science, so the topic would be useful. It's 4 credits instead of 3, which makes things more flexible for my last semester. 

Science writing: I secretly harbor hopes of being paid to write one day, so I think this course would be awesome. The professor is supposed to be really good. The downside is that it's a mixed undergrad/grad course, which I don't usually like, and it won't improve my science background, just my ability to write about it.

If it weren't for LO, I would just take both even though I don't need the credits. But I feel like 3 grad classes plus my paper plus teaching will be a little crazypants. But maybe it's worth it. IDK. I'm having a really hard time deciding. What do you smart ladies think?? 

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Re: Help me decide! CP - grad school related (long)

  • geekychicgeekychic

    I voted take both.  You have the option to drop if it gets hard.  If you don't have the option to drop for whatever reason, take oceanography.

    If your future job pays for training, you can take a science/technical writing course.

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  • TrudyCampbellTrudyCampbell member
    I agree with the PP and think you should take both and drop one it it's too hard. You might as well give it a shot!
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  • jkfranklinjkfranklin member
    Oceanography. If you do want to pursue writing, one class won't make that big of a difference. Right?
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  • tiannaleetiannalee
    I went back to school when DS was 5 weeks old. The first semester I took Immunology, microbiology immumohematology and biohazards. It was hard but with the support of DH I was able to do it and get all A's. You seem very smart and I think you could do it. Take them both...learn as much as you can now because oonce babies are kids and.have loads of activities, it will be soooo much harder.
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  • mrs+harlowmrs+harlow member
    I'm with JKfranklin. Oceanography sounds much more fun. With the work load of the other classes and a baby I'd worry about spreading myself too thin. Maybe a writing class is something you could entertain after your degree?
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  • JFH2010JFH2010 member
    Thanks for the input! Unfortunately there's a big financial penalty if I drop a class (and don't replace it with another one) after the start of the semester. I hate that policy, but I guess it's to prevent grad students from shopping a bunch of classes then dropping them. Blech. But I think I can add after the start, so maybe I'll keep oceanography, go to the first science writing class, and if it seems like it will be useful and not tooooooo much work, I'll add it. If there's space, that is. Thanks again!
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  • LolaBelle515LolaBelle515 member

    I chose SS--is there a way for you to find out if the first professor is as good as the writing professor, by asking other students, etc?  My memory from school is that the class was all about how good the prof was---so, if you know the writing prof is good, that is the class I'd take because it'd be the most worthwhile led by a better prof.  I

    f they're both good, then I'd take the first one because it sounds like that will free you up a little more in the end!  

    Good luck!   

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  • JFH2010JFH2010 member
    imageLolaBelle515:

    I chose SS--is there a way for you to find out if the first professor is as good as the writing professor, by asking other students, etc?  My memory from school is that the class was all about how good the prof was---so, if you know the writing prof is good, that is the class I'd take because it'd be the most worthwhile led by a better prof.  I

    f they're both good, then I'd take the first one because it sounds like that will free you up a little more in the end!  

    Good luck!   

    That's a good point. I don't know anything about the oceanography professor - I should look into it. Thanks! 

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  • thadsradthadsrad
    I think it all depends on your goals when you are done.  I know very little about the sciences, so this is conditional.  If having one class over the other makes you a better job candidate (like if having the oceanography would make you more appealing or give you more teaching cred) I would focus on that.  If BOTH classes offer job potential, I would take both.  I always took 3 classes a semester when I was doing coursework.  It would be hard with a baby, but I think that it is doable.  Plus, if it opens doors, it is definitely worth it.   
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