To postgrads-lecturers. Getting over 60% in tests in Final year advice needed.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around strategies for achieving high grades in final year physiology courses, particularly focusing on exam performance and the expectations for pursuing research opportunities. Participants share their insights on effective study methods and the grading standards in different educational systems.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses the need for advice on achieving over 62% in exams, citing that lecture notes alone are insufficient for high grades.
  • Another participant argues that aiming for higher than 62% is necessary for a research career, emphasizing the importance of understanding physiological processes in a holistic manner.
  • A third participant notes that grading standards vary by country, explaining that in the UK, an upper second class degree typically requires an average of 60%, while a top degree is around 70%.
  • The original poster clarifies their context as being in an Irish university, where high 60s is the current top mark in their class, and expresses a desire for more specific tips and examples to enhance their understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit differing views on what constitutes a competitive grade for research opportunities, with some advocating for higher targets than others. The discussion reflects a lack of consensus on the adequacy of the original poster's goal of 62% and the strategies needed to achieve it.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference varying grading standards and expectations across different educational systems, which may influence their perspectives on what constitutes a successful academic performance.

Who May Find This Useful

Students in physiology or related fields seeking advice on improving exam performance and understanding grading expectations in different educational contexts.

djflush
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Hi

I need an average this year of over 62%. I am in 4th year physiology and just lecture notes are not enough to achieve grades this high.

What I am looking for are good tips that set a minority of students above the rest when marking exams.

An example of a Question "Endothelial cells are a source of vasoactive agents discuss"

Or "

Many physiological processes involve the movement of proteins between the intracellular compartment and the plasma membrane. Using appropriate examples,discuss how the use of molecular and cellular physiology techniques have increased our understanding of these trafficking processes."

All advice would be greatly appreciated and hopefully will continue to drive me in my goal to make it to research.
 
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62% is high? You really should be aiming far higher than that if you want to even dream about a research career in the field!

You are right, just lecture notes will not get you there. You need to UNDERSTAND the processes involved and connect the concepts presented until you know the entire system backward and forward and can apply that knowledge toward solving novel problems. A mistake students of physiology make is getting tunnel vision about a specific organ or cell type. Physiology requires understanding of the homeostatic mechanisms that keep the whole organism functioning properly. If you disrupt something in one cell, you should understand what that will do to the organ, to the system, to other systems, what feedback loops are triggered, what endocrine processes are involved, what neural processes are involved, what cardiovascular consequences will occur, etc.
 
Moonbear said:
62% is high? You really should be aiming far higher than that if you want to even dream about a research career in the field!

I'm guessing the OP is from a country other than the US. Here in the UK, say, the requirement for acceptance onto research programmes is an upper second class degree, which roughly translates to an average grade of 60% throughout your degree. The mark required for a top degree here in the UK is 70%: students getting marks of around 100% consistently is unheard of over here, unlike the US.
 
Hi,

Sorry I didnt make myself clear. I am in an Irish university the highest in the class would currently be high 60s. This will be what I hope to average in the final year over 62 basically entitles me to do further studies.

I appreciate your advice moonbear but its pretty basic nothing I don't KNOW already.

So can anyone give me useful tips including you moonbear.

Or even examples of let's say original insight to the previous example Qs.
 

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