Which University in Hawai'i is better for science majors?

[CyberCity]

I have a different impresssion about the UH system. This brings to point that the OP needs to read the different opinions, do further research, and then use that information towards making a decision (as usual here on C-D) .

"Founded in 1907, the University of Hawai‘i System includes 3 universities, 7 community colleges and community-based learning centers across Hawai‘i." The three universities are Manoa, Hilo, and West Oahu. UH Hilo is not considered a minor school, nor limited to AA degrees. It is a full university.

[lost_traveler1]

Originally Posted by CyberCity

I have a different impresssion about the UH system. This brings to point that the OP needs to read the different opinions, do further research, and then use that information towards making a decision (as usual here on C-D) .

"Founded in 1907, the University of Hawai‘i System includes 3 universities, 7 community colleges and community-based learning centers across Hawai‘i." The three universities are Manoa, Hilo, and West Oahu. UH Hilo is not considered a minor school, nor limited to AA degrees. It is a full university.

From someone who graduated from UH Manoa, and know the pulse of businesses in Hawaii, yes UH Hilo is considered a minor school, not by what someone googled on the internet to verify that yes Hilo has graduate degrees, but by the differences the reputation between campuses are viewed by employers backed by personal confirmation based on myself and all my friends, peers, and colleges experiences for the past decade being born, raised, and currently work in Hawaii.

[CyberCity]

Originally Posted by lost_traveler1

From someone who graduated from UH Manoa, and know the pulse of businesses in Hawaii, yes UH Hilo is considered a minor school, not by what someone googled on the internet to verify that yes Hilo has graduate degrees, but by the differences the reputation between campuses are viewed by employers backed by personal confirmation based on myself and all my friends, peers, and colleges experiences for the past decade being born, raised, and currently work in Hawaii.

Much as you want to contradict my opinion, I still respect your right to yours. I'll not engage in the "competition game" on experience, but suffice to say I am well qualified to have an opinion of UH Hilo, and that opinion is that it offers a good education and it enjoys a positive reputation. It is a University, part of the University of Hawai‘i System (not a satellite of UH Manoa).

[lost_traveler1]

Originally Posted by CyberCity

Much as you want to contradict my opinion, I still respect your right to yours. I'll not engage in the "competition game" on experience, but suffice to say I am well qualified to have an opinion of UH Hilo, and that opinion is that it offers a good education and it enjoys a positive reputation. It is a University, part of the University of Hawai‘i System (not a satellite of UH Manoa).

I'm not competing here. Just trying to give objective advice based on true experience. Anyone can have an opinion and is free to give it, but opinions may be valueless if it is based on false or very limited information.

Many times people post "well I've never been there" or "I have no experience in that" "but I think......" I see this all the time, people post just to post because they enjoy spending time on the forum. I post to give info and hindsight and that's it, that's why my total amount of posts are limited.

And that's what I look for when gathering info of other cities and states for possible relocation. Who knows where people develop their opinions from...........

[KaraBenNemsi]

Don't forget about BYUH in Oahu, Laie. They do accept a certain percentage of non-mormon kids at higher tuition costs (still lower then UH Manoa). Their science areas are top notch. What they may not have in general public reputation is being made up by a strict focus on curriculum. Not political 'issues' or sports hype. Less corruption, no security issues, push to graduate in time, gender separated dorms, grow their own foods, close to best beaches, jobs within their Polynesian Cultural Center and an overall positive attitude.

[RugbyDave]

Originally Posted by Echoooo

As I stated at the beginning of this post, I am majoring in general molecular and cellular biology now, with plans to minor in an animal related field once I transfer just for an extra edge on my resume. Does this count for what you are trying to say? What exactly do you do in the medical field that is related to spiders? That is really awesome.

Well it only counts if you love that specialty and can make some money in it my brother/sister!

That being said, I would always nudge people towards some sort of biostats training - even if you do your thesis work in it. Perhaps I am biased, but its such a cool field now, with so many new theories/stats being used. Example, previous to about 2000, most people used Pearson r or Cohen's kappa for inter-/intrajudge reliability. Since about 2000, there has been much research/data analyzed via a variety of IntraClass Correlations (ICC). I refuse to bore you any more than this, but my point being, the field of biostats is in a rebirth, and a really viable area. But I am not a biostatistician, I only work in medicine and biology, but I conduct a lot of research and found myself giddy with the pages of new theories/stats being bandied about and using!

To answer your other question, I am a medical specialist, so diagnose and treat patients that regular doctors can't cure, or have no idea how to cure (mostly due to the disorders not being in their scope of practice). I am a medical Speech-Language Pathologist, and work in Clinical Neurology (my scope of practice is between the brain and the stomach). We are finding more and more that certain spider venom (more specifically, certain proteins and enzymes) have fascinating properties when used to combat symptoms of neurological disorders (Parkinson, Alzheimer, etc). Further, a graduate school friend of mine recently connected a severed nerve using silk from Nephila clavipes (Golden Orb Weaver). The body did not even notice the spider silk, due to its intrinsic nature, and the nerve was able to continue propagating its signal. If that's not amazing, I dunno what is!

Either way, getting my clinical license in medical field and my master's in arachnology means I can do all my research myself, both for collecting data as well as clinical trials.

... that and I just freaking love spider taxonomy and tracking their spread. I recently discovered an intrusive species of Jumping Spider on O'ahu who should only be found about 2500 miles away. Sad news indeed, as Hawai'i has such few beautiful endemic spiders. We are mounting an eradication trip for this species, as we think it is isolated to Ka'ena Point. I have just written up the publication and am excited to do some field work on O'ahu this August to probe this issue!

As I said in the beginning, I find UH-Hilo to be more close-knit, where you can get more time with professors/researchers. It's not to say you can't find that at Manoa or any other larger school, I just find, for those of us drawn to more of a 'quiet' place, UH-Hilo is an amazing place to work/get educated/conduct research. The spirit of aloha flows deep here as well!