PHD IN Chemistry or Pharmacy degree?

Just got my results there.I was sitting deferrals.Got a first class honours in Chemistry and a 2:1 in Microbiology.

I would like like to work in industry.I heard that you would have better options with a PhD in Chemistry for industry than a pharmacy degree.To be honest,Pharmacy would be the course to appeal to me but every news item about Pharmacy seems to be so negative.Just would like some advice from PhD students.I am not even sure if I would be any good at a PhD.

SOL

What do you expect to learn from a pharmacy degree? I'd suggest doing the PhD if you are planning to go into industry, from what I understand the only extra a pharmacy degree would offer you would be the chance to be a pharmacist.

bleg

i'm doing pharmacy, along with chemistry pharmacology micro etc. most of your time is taken up with clinical aspects of pharmacy i.e. community and hospital. we did pharmaceutics (worth 10 credits) in first year, pharm technology (worth 15 out of 60 credits) in 2nd and last year we had biopharmaceutics (10 credits again). these are aimed mostly at industry. your best bet is to look at the book of modules for each course in different universities and maybe get in contact with a few lecturers asking them their opinion.

Cheers.Thanks guys.

proteuspal

Hi guys,
i am considering a phd also. Again, industry is my goal. What type of Phd gives a good chance of a job in industry? Is it the ones who do formulation/pharmaceutics/chemistry based ones that have the best chance?im just looking for subject areas which the industry find appealing??

Cheers

Kevster

I have a computer science and microbiology background but have just started a PhD in Chemistry over in England. I apprecaite the opportunity given to me to work in Chemistry, as it's a very interesting area. If I was to give you advice, I'd tell you to diversify your pool of knowledge as much as possible as I am doing/have done. However, if you really like chemistry, then stick with it.

Go to http://www.findaphd.com/ for a great liost of postgrad courses in the UK.

proteuspal

That is a wonderful list Kevster. I have been looking for something like this for a while now. Cheers

Kevster

proteuspal wrote: »

That is a wonderful list Kevster. I have been looking for something like this for a while now. Cheers

You're welcome, and it is indeed a great website to have. Without it, I wouldn't be in York right now doing my PhD; and I wouldn't have had interviews, in Bath, Liverpool, London (x2), East Anglia, and UCD. Hell, the website even lists projects that are ongoing and are looking for researchers to join at any stage (most PhDs commence in October).

Kevin

Fluffybums

Worked in big pharma basic research/drug discovery as a graduate. I had a good time and did well but would definately advise anyone going into industry to get a PhD. Chemistry is a good choice as there always seemed to be more chemistry positions than life science. However, at some point the compounds have to be tested and the biologists take care of that. Pharmacy as a first degree would keep your options open and give a good grounding in chemistry, biology, physiology and DMPK - you could then specialise going into a PhD. There is usually demand for DMPK as this tends to involve animal work which not many people want to get involved in.
If you can get a CASE PhD with the likes of GSK (Merck used to do them but the research site was shut down in 2006 so they probably don't do them now) you can get a postgrad and experience and this will give you a serious leg up the employment ladder.