Should i do Medical Science? (1 Viewer)

[jme650]

Hi can anyone give me some advice. I want to get into medical research areas e.g. in cancer etc, but i don't simply want to be a labratory assisstant. Where would doing a medical science course get me or would those who do an actual medicine course and specialise in research be more likely to get these kind of jobs? Advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Farmers08]

hmm if i was you (and i may want to be a researcher) i would do a medical science at uni and then go on and do honours and then masters and ten your done ready for a research full job. But choose a good uni like Sydney if you do because your likely to get a better job.

 

[RogueAcademic]

Medical Science sounds like the kind of course you will want to do if you're interested in medical research. Actually most science degrees (whether it says medical science or not in the course title) at a decent university will lead you to a career in medical research. What you should watch out for is whether the university has the appropriate departments in order for you to do cancer/medical-related research. For example, a biochemistry department would be more suited for your interests than, say, botany, physics and mathematics, if you're interested in cancer research.

Farmers08's post above is only partially correct though. You will want to do a PhD degree (which is a step above a masters research degree) if you really want to get into the core of the research field as a Principal Researcher (ie. running your own research and not just being a lab assistant). Entry into a PhD program follows from your honours year (so it's bachelor degree --> honours degree --> PhD). Of course you'd have to perform well in your bachelor degree to be accepted into the honours program, and then into the PhD. Performing well in your honours year will help a lot when you apply for scholarships and funding for your PhD.

As for choosing a good uni, it's actually the quality of your research during your PhD that will decide where you go afterwards. And a good uni is a uni that can provide the resources and expert guidance that will allow you to conduct your PhD to your full potential.

 

[xoa]

Most medical science courses are vocationally oriented and prepare graduates for careers as medical scientists in the health system. Very few of them become lowly "lab techs", compared to other science majors. The base salary for medical scientist is about as much as a registered nurse in most states, although they don't get as many perks and benefits.

At uni you must conduct clinical placements in a pathology setting. I don't think they will train you for a research track,
but I guess there's nothing stopping you from doing postgraduate work.

 

[kido_1]

You could do science/med science. You could also do MBBS then specialise in oncology.

 

[Survivor39]

I completely agree with RogueAcademic. A medical science degree with Honours is more suitable for you, rather than a Med degree (you don't really do research in Med and you don't want to get stuck in uni for 6 years plus 3 for PhD). Then you go on to do a PhD - a PhD is a must. During your honours year, you can pick a cancer-related project, which would give you a head start for your PhD.

 

[RogueAcademic]

I completely agree with RogueAcademic. A medical science degree with Honours is more suitable for you, rather than a Med degree (you don't really do research in Med and you don't want to get stuck in uni for 6 years plus 3 for PhD). Then you go on to do a PhD - a PhD is a must. During your honours year, you can pick a cancer-related project, which would give you a head start for your PhD.

There is an advantage to having a medical degree in the research field. You will be able to have access to laboratory and clinical research. For eg, you could spend a number of years developing a drug to combat cancer as a laboratory scientist, then as a medical practitioner you can implement clinical drug trials directly to the patient. If you only had a PhD degree you won't really have that access unless you went through doctor researchers/clinicians at a research hospital.

 

[RogueAcademic]

You could do science/med science. You could also do MBBS then specialise in oncology.

There wouldn't really be a point to doing science/med because the undergrad med degree already includes one year of medical science/research. Unless you wanted to study something like physics which may aid you if you decide to go into nuclear medicine.

*edited - I misread your post above. I don't know of any science/medscience double degree as I expect there would be a lot of overlap. A med science degree is quite often just a science degree with medical science majors.

 

[Survivor39]

If you only had a PhD degree you won't really have that access unless you went through doctor researchers/clinicians at a research hospital.

Yes, but assuming you are a chief investigator, by which time you would be collaborating with other researchers in the hospital if you are really that interested in phrase 3 clinical trials.... and you won't be doing any more bench work anyway.

 

[yoakim]

There is an advantage to having a medical degree in the research field. You will be able to have access to laboratory and clinical research. For eg, you could spend a number of years developing a drug to combat cancer as a laboratory scientist, then as a medical practitioner you can implement clinical drug trials directly to the patient. If you only had a PhD degree you won't really have that access unless you went through doctor researchers/clinicians at a research hospital.

That is exactly what I want to do in my life. Exactly...but obviously things will change...

 

[ssejamafone]

since we're on the topic of med science, may i please just ask a small question: what is the uai for med science for unsw? coz i can't find it anywhere!!!!!

anyhoo. a thousand apologies for going off topic!!!!!!!!!!! SORRY!!!!!!

 

[watatank]

89.35

 

[jme650]

Cool thanks everyone that's really helpful . I think my best bet would be to do the whole med science degree then honours and Phd and all that. Anyone got any opinions about some of the best uni's to go to....... Obviously i heard UNSW is really good, but what about outside of Sydney, like at Melbourne Uni, Canberra or Wollongong?

 

[watatank]

wollongongs might be an option if you want to do postgrad medicine. they opened the postgrad school quite recently.

 

[Survivor39]

All of those unis are good unis. I don't think it will make that much of a difference where you go. What's more important is what subjects you choose to take and what field of research you would like to get into for your Honours year.