Postgraduate Courses in Biological Sciences
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Deciding what career path you want to take in life can be a difficult and complex task, especially when you are considering one within the field of Biological Sciences. This study of the “Science of Life” is a broad, varied and intriguing science, with countless options in which to specialise. It is not surprising therefore, that many students considering studying postgraduate courses in Biological Science are unsure of what exactly they want to do, or of what choices are available which may help them to achieve their career goals. Read on to discover how a postgraduate course in the Biological Sciences can benefit you.
Postgraduate Studies - Why?
Aspirations for an academic career.
Enhance research skills and understanding.
Specific research interests & passion for subject
Develop ‘competitive edge’ and ‘stand out from the crowd’.
Reflect on career aspirations & gain internationally recognised qualification.
Undertake training, both specialist & generic/transferable, for career preparation.
Choosing to study a postgraduate course in Biological Sciences can be decided upon for a number of reasons. Perhaps, during your undergraduate degree, you have been inspired by an academic tutor to pursue a career in lecturing, which would enable you to share your enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject. Or maybe you were involved with an undergraduate project which sparked an interest in you and left you with a desire to seek explanations for further unanswered questions. Or do you feel the need to give yourself the ‘competitive edge’ in order to secure the job of your dreams?
Things To Consider
- Your previous experience, background & knowledge
- Your qualifications
- Your strengths & weaknesses
- University facilities & services
- University ranking
- University research expertise
Whatever your reasons for wishing to continue your studies, it is important to consider the many options that are available to you. And with all the different routes that are on offer, it is vital that you take into account your strengths and weaknesses, and your previous background, experience and knowledge when making this potentially life-changing decision.
If you have a very specific research interest and you know that you want to follow a research career in this field, you could consider an MPhil or PhD. This will see you carrying out supervised research at the leading-edge of your chosen subject. The challenges that you encounter will be demanding and sometimes all-consuming, but with dedication and commitment the rewards can be enormous. The assistance and support of your supervisor is vital, as are the services and options offered by the institution to which you apply. For example, are there sufficient library facilities available? Can you benefit from taking additional relevant taught units when appropriate, which will provide you with the necessary knowledge and information to complement and enhance your research? Is the university highly ranked with an involvement in world-leading research in your chosen field?
Which Course?
- Research degrees: MPhil/PhD
- Taught Masters: MRes / MSci
- Integrated PhD
Maybe you haven’t yet been able to pinpoint a specific area of Biological Sciences that interests you – perhaps you would prefer a more generalised option that could give you a taster of what it would be like to do a PhD. Or do you feel that you would benefit from gaining further laboratory experience and training? There are courses available which are designed with such needs in mind.
For example, you could enrol on a Master of Research (MRes) degree, which is, most often, a full-time course of one year in duration. It consists, for example, of a mixture of taught courses and research projects, all of which provide you with the opportunity to widen your knowledge and understanding of Biological Sciences, and to experience a range of research activities, skills and techniques. In addition, you will develop an understanding of the context within which the research takes place, including its ethical implications, its role in economic development and the way in which science is managed. Such programmes provide the ideal training for a PhD or for other positions involving scientific research.
What Subject?
- Regenerative Medicine - Plant Development
- Bioinformatics - Molecular Entomology
- Evolution - Structural Biology
- Molecular Neuroscience - Genomics
- Enzymes & Extremophiles - Animal
Behaviour
Look out for programmes that can be tailored to enable you to work in a variety of Biological Sciences sub-disciplines, from structural biology, to animal behaviour, to developmental biology, tissue engineering and their potential applications in medicine.
Then there’s the “Integrated” approach. The “Integrated” or “New Route” PhD is a recent development in which the first two years include a number of taught units, usually at Masters-level, designed to support the major research topic and broaden the vision of the students. It aims to provide students with an insight into a range of activities, techniques and skills, thus enabling you to carry out your subsequent doctoral research as effectively as possible.
Career Options?
- Further studies e.g. PhD - Researcher
- Academic Position - Industry Representative
- Research Institute Appointment - Commercial Sector Manager
- Government Officer - Scientific writer
This is just a snap-shot of the types of postgraduate opportunities available and, as you can probably gather, the courses and options available are almost as broad as the discipline of Biological Sciences itself! Your postgraduate course in Biological Sciences should offer you not only an excellent qualification, but also the opportunity to equip yourself with highly desirable, generic and transferable skills and experiences, that will set you in good stead for life after your studies, be that in a commercial, industrial or academic environment. By careful consideration of your needs, and of the services, support and expertise offered by universities, it is possible to discover something that’s right for you. By taking the time to find the course and university that best address your requirements, you will be able to benefit fully and gain as much as possible from your postgraduate course in Biological Sciences. You will be sure to lay the foundations to success in your postgraduate studies and beyond.
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Contributed by:
Dr Emma Lawrence
Postgraduate Administrator
Department of Biology & Biochemistry
University of Bath
http://www.bath.ac.uk/prospectus/undergrad/bio-sci/
