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First of all, I am a pure science student ever since my spm and foundation year.
As typed in the title above, it's about BCS Bioinformatics. So I am a student of School of Computing studying Bioinformatics for my undergraduate study. I will be in my 2nd year this coming semester :D
Alhamdulillah I my first year went very well! I study computer science - bioinformatics at UTM, Skudai Johor. So I wanna talk about what I learnt during my first year.
For God sake, it's pretty hard to explain to you guys what's bioinformatics exactly. Bioinformatics sounds cool but I think call it computational biology give you a better idea about the course. It's a field where you use computing knowledge to study biology. Yeah, whatever.
So during my first year, I once asked myself "Did I study Mathematics or Computer Science?". You know why? Yas, that's because most of the subject needs you to use your left brain...most of the time, even most of the subject are calculation based subject. It wasn't that hard to be honest. It's like an upgraded subject of modern maths during spm year. Below I attached you the subject I learnt during my first year.
First of all, lemme tell ya what's the hardest and easiest subject from my opinion.
On semester 1, I think programming technique and digital logic is the hardest two. I am a pure science student since spm until foundation year. So I don't know anything about programming etc.Thank god my roomate was also a pure science student like me. So we both feel each other better in this class, HAHAHAHA. On the first two class of PT, I was totally lost. We studied flowchart etc. I don't know the heck was the lecturer talking about. I feel stupid. I couldn't imagine at all - how it related to coding. Then one time, there's this group of senior who make a programming class on the weekend for anyone who wanna join and so I did *sedar diri*. Long story short, we only have 1/2 class with the senior, but thank god I managed to get the idea of the subject and how it will be...after that, I don't feel stupid anymore...hehe. I also managed to get A for the subject xD YOU CAN DO IT!
Digital logic(DiLo) on the other hand is a real something. It's hard to explain what so hard about it. But it does give me dizzy sometime. It has the physics touch - you need to understand the concept then only you can do it all. You'll feel like you are learning physics. NAND, AND , NOT etc. It's very interesting though. All you need is to focus during the class, and ask the lecturer if you don't understand it. You can ask the lecturer after class too. The lecturer are always ready to help ya! Once you get it, you'll feel like a genius, you'll feel like you can be friend with Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory, lol!
The easiest subject is Technology and Information System(TIS). Honestly, that's the subject I enjoyed the most. There is no final exam, and we play Kahoot a lot. I even got prized from my lecturer for getting high score in Kahoot xD
Semester 2, I think the hardest subject for me is Probability and Statistical Data Analysis(PSDA). Simply because I like probability chapter the least ever since in spm year. It's too much for me. But most of my friend like this subject, they enjoy this subject better than computer organization and architecture (COA) meanwhile I personally enjoy COA better than PSDA.
The easiest subject in semester 2 is definitely Computational Mathematics! No doubt! All you need is to focus and don't play with your phone while in the class.
Do you need a laptop? Well, I would say, yes you need it if you can afford. But if you cannot, that's fine. School of Computing got a lot of computer for the students. You don't need to get a brand new laptop at the moment because the usage of laptop ain't that many though. Btw, most of my class were held at the Computer Lab during second semester.
Biology? Oh, you will study biology specifically cellular and molecular biology on the second semester. Long way to start with the biology. You may be a good Biology student during foundation year, but when you start this subject, you might need to work harder for Biology. Why? Simply because it's been a while since you train your brain with biology stuff. You brain will be more mathematics kind of student than biology kind of student, if you get what I mean. You probably need to brush up your memorizing skills during semester break before starting you second semester. You can revise some chapter during foundation/matrik year like protein structural, carbohydrate, enzyme lock and key, plasma memberane, nucleic acid- dna replication...yah that small small stuff in biology that make up us.
Where did I stayed during my first year? Well, I stayed at M21, Kolej Tun Dr. Ismail. All of my classmates - the girls, stayed in the same block with me because we are minority, we fit in a small block, hahaha. Bioinfo students has a very small population. My batch only have 37 students and we are many than our seniors. Seniors who is a year older than us was only 14 students with 1 only 1 male students. The other courses of Computer Science would have around 60 students and Software engineering make up the largest population with 1++ students.
During first year study of Computer Science no matter what courses you specialized in, you'll study the same subjects and only 1 to 2 subjects different for each courses like biology subject for bioinfo students.
I would say, my life as a first year degree student is way better than my life during my spm and foundation year which was super hectic and pack with classes. My first year study in UTM is so relax and no pressure at all, unless you do last minute work and/or you got a loser group mate for group assignment.
First semester, you should do your group project with various classmates so you can know who work well and who should be in the blacklist. You must not be in someone else blacklist either. Do your work and don't be a silent group mate. Don't be a jerk. Please care about your carry mark. Study for quizzes like you study for final exam because your carry mark is important. Respect your lecturer no matter how/what they are, because what you need is their knowledge not a topic for a cheap gossip. Don't play with your phone while the lecturer lecture you. They will give you at least 5 minutes break, then go ahead play with your phone. You must get 4 flat for your first and second semester, or at least 3.67 (dean's list).
In UTM, if you get 4 flat, you tuition fee for the next semester will be free. They might charge your tuition fee at first because of the automatic charge system(ptptn) but they will give it back to you after mid-sem. So don't worry. 4 flat save you about RM660 for the next semester :D
I think that's all. I bet this is a long post. Thank you for reading and do leaves a comment if you have any question.
Bye and good luck!
