This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Elective Modules

Hey,

I'm in my 2nd year now so I thought I'd offer some advice about Elective Modules. I only found out that I had a elective module once I got to Durham, that's probably my fault for not doing the research or reading any of the information.

So, a few days after arriving in Durham I suddenly discovered I had the daunting task of selecting a extra module. I really should have known about this before arriving! The number of electives you have will probably differ depending on how many compulsory modules your department gives you, so some students might not have any electives, where as other students may have one or two. These elective modules are any module from any department which offers them. You don't normally need any prior knowledge for them, so you can go for something like 'Introduction to Japanese' and everyone will probably be at the same level as you.

I made friends with a few people in the queue for registration, and one of them was quite fit so I started following her around, but it turned out that she had a boyfriend. Anyway, she was going to do 'Introduction to Politics: State and Society'. I used to work for a, urm... 'major political party' (not naming any names), so I thought that the Politics module would be something that I would be good at and really enjoy.

Unfortunately the module didn't feature any British or modern Politics at all so it was not at all what I was expecting. It was however only a 1 hour lecture a week and a 1 hour tutorial every fortnight, so it wasn't much of a workload. There was quite a bit of work you were expected to do in your own time, including 2 essays and a presentation. But overall I spent about 4 hours of my own time on this across the year and still managed to pass the module. This was actually the highest mark out of all my modules (probably because I didn't have a clue about some of the stuff, so I spend a lot more time revising)

So... its worth finding out how many elective modules you have before coming to Durham and researching what you may be interested in. There is a list of modules by dept here, http://www.dur.ac.uk/faculty.handbook/listdeptmodules/ The electives are normally the 'Introduction to..' modules which require no prerequisites or corequisites.

Alex

Scroll to see replies

Reply 40

goldenbarnes

Rach:)

I love your posts :biggrin:

Blimey.

Is this like woman to woman generic complimenting? Am I supposed to reply with 'I just love your shoes though' or 'Have you lost weight?'* or 'I wish I had cheekbones like yours - I'd wear my hair like that all the time. It's gorgeous.'

If it isn't, then.....erm....

1) - humble and modest response - "oooh, erm...... :redface:

Thank you

"

2) - genuine response - "yeah, I know".

*only to be reserved for times when you genuinely like the other person, they've just paid you a massive compliment or their shoes or hair are clearly dreadful.

Reply 41

Rach:)

Lol no it isn't....it was actually being serious. Shocking, I know :rolleyes:

Reply 42

Talya

Do some modules get filled up?

For example, on the registration day or whatever, if I didn't get there early enough, do I risk missing out on places in elective modules?

Reply 43

Rach:)

It can happen yup, especially with very popular elective modules like psychology ones.

Reply 44

Talya

Rach:)

It can happen yup, especially with very popular elective modules like psychology ones.

How about 'Introduction to Astronomy' and 'Microbiology'? :biggrin:

Reply 45

Rach:)

Doesn't sound too likely, but you never know....! :p:

Reply 46

croissantfever

I got on a sociology elective mosule for my thrid year. :smile:

makes me happy, also makes a change from the physics. the constant, neverending, physics

Reply 47

aza484

yuck. third year physics. *shudders*, i have a friend who just finished his 4th year of physics.... terrifying. it obviously has some effect though, cos he's now Collingwood's JCR president this year. probably due to his excessive tea drinking. Andy Tickner, if anyone knows him? bit of a legend that chap.

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Articles for you

Employability questions you should ask before choosing a university

Try out the app

Continue on web