I'm currently in my third year studying Biochemistry.
I have applied to do medicine, except I am looking into other areas in case that fails.

I am looking into doing clinical biochemistry or pathology.

However, i am totally confused about what to do as of now whilst studying.
Do i study an MSc first or a Phd?
Should I get a job after my degree and then apply to on of the above?
I am just a bit lost.
Some MSc's and Phd's ask for transcripts of your degree, but i'm not finished yet, so do i have to have actually got my degree before applying?

I am really confused as you can tell, sorry for the silly q's but no one else seems to be able to clear it up for me.


:) Thanks

======= Date Modified 11 Nov 2008 12:52:08 =======
the normal route is undergrad + masters + phd, but you could also do undergrad - phd if your results at undergrad are good enough to get you onto a phd straight away (basically you need a 1st or sometimes it is possible with a 2:1). if you are in a very competitive field or have a not so great result at undergrad, then a good masters result will really help your phd application and greatly increase your chances (but only if the masters is in a relevant subject).

you don't need to have finished your degree to apply to masters or phds, if they make you an offer it will be conditional depending upon your predicted BSc result. however, if your real passion is medicine, then only go down the masters/phd route if you find a subject that you are really interested in, as a masters takes a year and a phd is at least 3 years, so you need to be committed!

Thanks,

Yes, I am very committed, which is evident through the fact i have applied to do medicine. which can be 4-5 years just at uni.

So the most common path is to do a masters after your degree.
Should i work before applying to a masters?
I know that the clinical biochemistry masters i want to do there is only 4 courses around and hence very competative.
So is getting a job a good idea to better my chances as some masters ask for 6mths relevant work experience.

btw, i did a degree in biochem too, then followed this up with a masters in bioinformatics. the problem with biochem is that it is rather general (ie. it incorporates so many different subjects), so sometimes a masters is useful to help you really specialise in one area (and help you decide if that is really what you want to be doing!) before embarking on a phd.

======= Date Modified 11 Nov 2008 13:07:34 =======

didn't mean to question your commitment :$ i just meant that if medicine is your 1st choice but it doesn't work out, then you will need to find a 2nd option that you are equally committed to.



in terms of getting a job first, it may be possible to get some work experience working as a research assistant in the university labs over the summer between your undergrad and masters which may satisfy their entry requirements. the other option is to get a job for a year and apply next time round but obviously this drags the process out even longer. but if that is what you want to do it will be worth it in the end.



i have a friend who got a first in biochem (from a good but not fantastic uni) and went straight on to a clinical biochem phd at oxford so nothing is impossible! if i were you i would apply to all the things i wanted to do, as if they like you enough and you have the right grades you may be lucky.

lol sorry, i didnt think you were questioning my commitment but it thought i would re-iterate it anyway lol.

Ok, so like i have been looking at the nhs website for clinical scientists and looking at the posts available and there are 4 posts it says and its like intercalated is the word i think? where you work and study right? and one of the people to contact about the positions and guy in charge is a guy who has lectured me! haha. so like maybe i could drop hints or something.

So...i apply to do masters. In a specific area of biochem where possible? :D thanks.

it is definitely worth contacting him if you know him already, it always looks good to show an interest in the course early on and to ask questions about it (that's how i got onto my masters too!). he can also answer any questions about entry requirements/work experience. good luck! :-)

thank you kindly. :-)

Don't worry too much about not having a transcript of your final year results.