Biomedical science

Thinking about transferring into biomedical science.If I was to do this and specialise in either
a:Pharmacology
b:Anatomy
c:Biochemistry
d:Physiology

Will I still be just be testing urine and blood no matter what I specialise in?

Is it a good job?

What the hell?Starting pay for biomedical science is €24500.
Why is it so many points to do this course?

Sarn

It could have a very small course size e.g. science in Trinity was 440 whereas science in UCD was 330, primarily based on nimber of student places. Also points for a course do not necessarily tie in with salary size.

Sarn

Sarn wrote:

It could have a very small course size e.g. science in Trinity was 440 whereas science in UCD was 330, primarily based on nimber of student places. Also points for a course do not necessarily tie in with salary size.

True!Can't get through to my lecturers!:mad:

Tis so annoying.I have to make up my mind on this subject quick.
Im so torn between doing biomeical science and pharmacology

Tree

What course are you doing at teh moment?

TBH the course is generally geared towards employment in teh medical sector testing and preparing samples. specialising in biochemistry would be a lot more likely than anatomy or physiology

Am about to start placement this september in the CUH labs. I'm particularly enjoying the course. i would hope to do some research when i finish the course and ultimately work in a hospital lab (nice pensionable job )

I am doing general science in NUIG.

Don't know what to do to be honest.I am very intersted in Pharmacology.

anam1

Hi the Dazzler
i graduated from UCD with degree in Pharmacology quite afew years ago. Its a brilliant and interesting subject and I would highly recommend it. I'm not sure how things work in NUIG but in UCD you majored in Pharmacology and took a minor subject like physiology or biochemistry. The degree awarded does not automatically qualify you to work in a hospital laboratory however. You need to become a member of the academy of biomedical sciences and this may involve having to do a training year in a hospital laboratory before becoming eligible. In my opinion a degree in phamacology opens up alot more opportunities than working directly in the biomedical sciences field. You could go into research (personally wouldnt recommend it as a long term career plan), work in the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical sector which is expanding rapidly in ireland or go into teaching. I did a phd and got into lecturing which i am really enjoying. I think you need to pick a subject that you enjoy and you will do well in. To be honest theres not a whole lot of difference between pharmacology and physiology (pharmacology is more of an applied subject), if you want to get directly into the biomedical sciences field and work in a hospital lab then i would recommend taking biochemistry as for some reason, hospital labs see this as being the most relevant subject for hospital lab training.
Can you specify the choices available to you: are they: 1) a degree in pure pharmacology versus 2) a degree in biomedical sciences gearing you towards a career as a hospital biomed scientist?

They are the options really.Although I think NUIG is more geared towards you getting a job in pharmaceutical industry(through the biomedical course).I'm not sure if it would be better to go and get my honours degree in Pharm and then do a masters in Biomedical science.

Out of curiousity,How many years was your phd?Are you lecturing in UCD?Do you not have to do some research alongside your lecturing?

anam1

Ithink you're making a good choice going with hons bsc in pharmacology and then do a msc or maybe phd afterwards. you never know you might change your mind during your course and the pharm degree will give you the flexibility to change path if you wish. To be honest, getting as good a grade as possible in your undergraduate degree (i.e. 1.1 or 2.1) is more important than the subject itself especially when you are deliberating over such closely related subjects (biomedical sciences versus pharm/physiol/biochem). I have colleagues that did zoology as their primary degrees, but phd in biomedical field and are now lecturing in biomedical sciences. if you have an aptitude for the sciences you can adapt easily. so bottom line, do what you like most and do well in it and this will open lots of other doors.
it took 4 years to do a phd. i lecture in DIT. yes research is required in conjunction with a lecturing position, but in my previous post i was referring more to a postdoc-type position involving 100% research (with little job security) as something to be careful of falling into as a full time career. i did this and personally didnt enjoy it. But each to their own. with lecturing you can combine teaching and research and i find that alot more rewarding.
Best of luck with your decision. I dont think you can go wrong with taking pharmacology. I hope you will enjoy it. Rang, Dale and Ritter text book will be your best friend for the next 3 years! Good luck:D