<p>I'm an undergrad studying chemistry at U of Toronto, and I'm heading into my 5th year next year (switched from biochem to chem after 2nd year). I need just 3 more full credits (18 semester hours) to graduate. I plan on working for a year or two first, then head off to grad school. Depending on how things play out I'll either do a Masters in Canada or come to the States for a PhD. Anyways...</p>
<p>I'll be doing undergrad research (a "499" here at UofT) so that takes care of 1 credit. Now I just need to take four 400 level half courses in chemistry in order to graduate.</p>
<p>I could potentially fit all 4 half courses into the 1st semester, and leave 2nd semester completely open for 499. <a href="option%201">b</a>** Or I could do 3 half courses 1st semester, then take 1 more in 2nd semester. <a href="option%202">b</a>**</p>
<p>I really can't decide which option is better. Option 1 means 1st semester will suck, but I guess 2nd semester I can more than make up for it. Option 2 allows me to spread out the courses a bit, and I suppose I won't pull out as much hair compared to option 1. In both options I'll be taking courses that I at least have some interest in, so that's not really an issue. I guess I should mention that apart from 1 course (organic spectroscopy), all other courses I'm looking at have an essay/talk/poster presentation that's worth 15-30% of the final mark.</p>
<p>Also, I've been told that grad schools really don't care about your courseload but I'm a bit concerned that my final year might be deemed "too light" (especially by highly competitive schools like Columbia and Cornell) since I'm only taking 3 credits (a full courseload is defined as 5 credits here). Thing is, taking more courses will only suck time out of my 499, and I planned on going all out to make the most out of my experience (research matters far more in grad school anyway). Plus I'm already taking more than the required credits I need to graduate, so I really don't want to pay extra tuition.</p>
<p>Any input is appreciated, thanks.</p>
<p>You are not in high school, so stop worrying about being perceived as having “senioritis.” Grad schools do not do a semester-by-semester analysis of your coursework; they just check to see what you’ve covered in your intended field and what your GPA is over your entire undergraduate career.</p>
<p>In fact, at many colleges (Boston College, for example), the standard course load for a senior is 4 classes per semester vs. 5 for other years. Seniors need to have some free time to search for employment or grad school opportunities.</p>
<p>Graduate schools won’t care about your course load from year to year - they understand that courses cost money and you’ll only take the courses you need to graduate and prepare for graduate school, so if you have strong courses up until now it’s not a big deal that you’re not taking a full load your senior year. A lot of people don’t because you’re nearly finished, especially if you kicked butt your first three years.</p>
<p>That said, I don’t understand the difference. Why would you take all 4 half courses in the first semester? Seems like you could do 3 half courses and then take 1 more in the spring with the research credit. Considering that I wrote a senior thesis while also talking 3 other (full) classes both semesters that I wrote it, I think that you can write one/do the research with only 1 half course. When you’re in grad school you’ll be taking 2-3 courses a semester (maybe 4) and doing research, so…</p>
<p>It’s just that I have the option of finishing all my course requirements by first semester, so I might as well consider it. Taking all 4 half courses first semester will allow me to completely focus on my research credit without any distractions in second semester; I want to get the most out of my experience. I know it doesn’t sound like much of a difference, but the courses in 2nd semester are in a rather inconvenient time slot (3-4pm), which sucks when you need to be around to check on your reactions constantly or when you’re doing things that you absolutely can’t walk away from (eg columns). And of course with courses comes the nuance of assignments/paper reviews/exams.</p>
<p>Point taken about courses and research in grad school. Though I’d think the courses are more “complimentary” and secondary to research, whereas in undergrad that’s not really the case.</p>