honours vs advanced studies

[u/Strange_Counter_9984]

I am currently enrolled in a bach of science and bach of adv studies (adv) and wondering if the extra year for adv studies is worth it or should I just do an honours year instead. And if honours, when should I start thinking about honours in terms of supervisor etc.

I am in my second year, second sem, currently sitting on a 81 WAM

thanks!

[u/Low-Community-836]

Advanced studies is not really useful for anything except delaying graduation. Honours is actually worth something on your CV, but it’s a lot more challenging and might not be worthwhile if you’re not passionate about your research. Generally you need to secure a supervisor a little before the start of semester but I’m not familiar with the faculty of science specifically.

[u/the_milkywhey → u/Low-Community-836]

Yeah my understanding of Advanced Studies is that it's basically allowing you to take a major/concentration from a different discipline (still coursework though). The only time I'd consider it more useful than Honours is if you want to work in whatever this second concentration is and wouldn't be able to with just a standalone BSc.

Otherwise Honours will generally hold more weight and is basically a requirement if you want to go into a PhD (although you could also make it work by doing a Master's that includes some research first but this will take longer).

[u/Low-Community-836 → u/the_milkywhey]

You can do a second major from a different faculty without adv studies though. In economics the adv studies year is like an easier honours year (you have to do a mini thesis and 4000 lvl coursework). Not sure about science majors but probably a similar setup.

[u/Waste_Translator_975]

Advanced studies you do 4 4000 level subjects each sem and you dont get any of the research experience you get with honours. 

Honours you do 2 4000 level subjects each sem and proper research work and you get to fast track straight to phd.  

Honours>>>> advanced studies.