Need Advice Deciding Between Chemistry and Pharmacology!

O.P.H

I'm deciding on my second year subjects. As it stands I have Chemistry, Microbiology and Botany down but am thinking of Pharmacology, Chemistry and Microbiology. Either way I will have to make a decision to major in one in 4th year and I just want to know where they would take me. I hear Chem leaves you highly employable in a huge range of areas and the money is usually good. And I hear with Pharm you can end up in really well paid jobs (6 figures) and the work is really interesting. I've been told Pharm is very difficult and that you will only end up in research. My knowledge of both is limited and any advice would be appreciated. Micro would also be a consideration.

O.P.H

I just found out that I can only do pharm if I repeat, so any advice would be helpful.

Syke

O.P.H wrote: »

I'm deciding on my second year subjects. As it stands I have Chemistry, Microbiology and Botany down but am thinking of Pharmacology, Chemistry and Microbiology. Either way I will have to make a decision to major in one in 4th year and I just want to know where they would take me. I hear Chem leaves you highly employable in a huge range of areas and the money is usually good. And I hear with Pharm you can end up in really well paid jobs (6 figures) and the work is really interesting. I've been told Pharm is very difficult and that you will only end up in research. My knowledge of both is limited and any advice would be appreciated. Micro would also be a consideration.

It really depends on what you want to do with your life.

Are you interested in research? Can you do repetitive work?

Really, your big choice is between Chemistry and a Biology course as a major. If you're not sure, take both.

There are more job in chemistry but the competition is high and unless things have changed UL and DCU have the advantage in that sector because their graduates have work experience. That said, there are lots of production jobs and of course there is always the avenue of academic research.

Biology sciences are a little trickier. Pharmacology is a very broad discipline which is why it is attractive. There are jobs at B.Sc. level but apart from Wyatt I don't think the pay is anything special. Of course academic research is available to pharmacology graduates and a PhD will help you get a better job.

Micro offer opportunities in food sciences, again there are jobs, Teagasc is quite well funded in that area. Botany ...I'm not sure about that one.

In taking Chemistry and Micro, you're giving youself good options - the question is how much do you want to do pharmacology and how much of your degree is about what you find interesting vs. what you think will earn you money.

O.P.H

Well at the moment I'm not sure what I like or what I want to do because I don't really know where both subjest could take me. I know I probably prefer Biology a little but maybe thats just cause I found it easier but I'm just talkin about first year biology and thats very basic. I find both very interedting. As it stands I cant do Pharmacology without repeating and I dont think I will, so the subjects I will be doing for second year are Chemistry, Microbiology and either Botany or Earh Science, will major in either Chem or Micro. At the moment I am ok with this I think because everyone says Chem can take you almost anywhere and the money can be good and pharmacology is basiclly restricted to reasearch, I dunno. What I can do with my Chem degree is do a taught Masters in Neuropharmacology after the 4 years. Its a one year deal and I've been told that with 4 years of Chem and then this Neuro Masters you can be in a better place to persure pharmacology than some students who have taken the full 4 years of pharm, again this is just what I've heard. So would I be stupid to take a year out of my life and pay the money to repeat or is the Chem degree with the Neuropharm masters a good compromise. I kinda think it might be becuase it will leave my options more open. Any advice or guidance would be great, cheers.

O.P.H

Anyone?

Syke

O.P.H wrote: »

Well at the moment I'm not sure what I like or what I want to do because I don't really know where both subjest could take me. I know I probably prefer Biology a little but maybe thats just cause I found it easier but I'm just talkin about first year biology and thats very basic. I find both very interedting. As it stands I cant do Pharmacology without repeating and I dont think I will, so the subjects I will be doing for second year are Chemistry, Microbiology and either Botany or Earh Science, will major in either Chem or Micro. At the moment I am ok with this I think because everyone says Chem can take you almost anywhere and the money can be good and pharmacology is basiclly restricted to reasearch, I dunno. What I can do with my Chem degree is do a taught Masters in Neuropharmacology after the 4 years. Its a one year deal and I've been told that with 4 years of Chem and then this Neuro Masters you can be in a better place to persure pharmacology than some students who have taken the full 4 years of pharm, again this is just what I've heard. So would I be stupid to take a year out of my life and pay the money to repeat or is the Chem degree with the Neuropharm masters a good compromise. I kinda think it might be becuase it will leave my options more open. Any advice or guidance would be great, cheers.

I would need to see your curriculum. Looking at those courses, I see key areas such as metabolism and physiology absent. Depending what you want to do afterwards, they may or may not be important. Scratch that. Really the key is to get a broad mainstream education if you're that unsure. Chemistry will help you in terms of employment, but I imagine it difficult to get into a biology PhD with a Chem degree (I've never seen an applicant try).

I know of the Neuro Masters, it is a good and competitive course.

I think really the key is to get good grades and be competitive in your applications. At this stage of your career, without knowing what you want to do, there isn't much more focused advise anyone can give.