Biomedical Science?

ironictoaster

Yes another course query from a 6th year, sorry.

I'm putting Biomedical Science as my first choice on my CAO form.

Can anyone students past and present give me a student's perspective on this course?

Thanks!

Gazza22

Hi,

I study Biomed at DIT. This is a PM which i recently replied too asking for information on the course. Hope it helps! And if you have any other questions feel free to ask! Oh and don't feel weird about asking for help here on courses! I did it myself when i was in 6th year!!

Boards User wrote:

Hi Gazza i'm sending you this pm as i've a ew questions to ask you as i see you are a current biomedical student at DIT.

Does this course guarantee a great job in the laboratory department or example?

Are the points low for this course in DIT because it isnt as good a college as UCD and doesnt give as good a qualification in this field?

Is there any other info i'd benefit from knowing as atm time is against me because the CAO application is due soon.

Thanks.

Gazza22 wrote:

Hi,

Firstly there is little comparison between 'Biomedical, Health & Life Sciences' @ UCD & 'Biomedical Science' @ DIT. Just to address your Q's first:

Does this course guarantee a great job in the laboratory department or example?

Biomedical Science at DIT will indeed offer you excellent prospects in a medical laboratory career as the primary design of the course is to enter that route. From year one you are learning procedures used daily by Med Lab scientists worldwide. If you wish to pursue a career in Laboratory Medicine UCD is useless.

Are the points low for this course in DIT because it isnt as good a college as UCD and doesnt give as good a qualification in this field?

No, UCD launched Biomedical Health & Life Sciences as a general degree in life science which includes biomedical modules throughout the course of the degree. It is far from Biomedical Science. Think of it as a general science degree, you will not be specialised in any field.

DIT has been offering courses in Biomedical Science since 1962 and basically this speaks for itself. DIT is recognised as the leading third-level institution for Biomed and graduates are highly respected. You will notice from time to time that many hospitals throughout the country will specify the requirement of a DIT qualification in job advertisements and this is due to the practical skills that graduates have - for example we work with real human blood, tissues every week in college and learn hands on how to perform tests, procedures etc not just read about them in theory. There is a high emphasis on a equal balance between theory & practice in DIT because in the real world theory alone is useless.

So no DIT is not a bad college towards UCD in this field. I had the points for UCD but i went with DIT. If you were looking for a business degree or similar UCD may wipe the floor with DIT but for Biomedical Science UCD is way down there.

When you graduate from DIT, your Biomedical Degree is recognised by the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science Ireland and the Institute of Biomedical Science UK and you are eligable for membership to both. You must be eligable for Academy membership to practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in Ireland, the UK or indeed anywhere throughout the world. If you graduate from Biomedical Health & Life Sciences in UCD you are not eligible for membership, the degree is not recognised as being competent in Biomed and as such you may not work in a hospital laboratory - you may only work in the "field of Biomedical Science". With DIT, you are eligible for everything....research, laboratory medicine and all these "fields" that UCD tell you that you may enter.

Also your 3rd year is spent on clinical placement in a hospital laboratory. This is the best thing about DIT and the reason why graduate's are respected so much in their field. During 3rd year you are trained on the job in a real hospital with highly experienced clinical staff. Here you learn you're expertise. The hospital signs you off as competent in Laboratory Medicine, you are trained in everything - how to diagnosing cancer, performing bloods and the hundred's of other things that are done daily in a hospital lab (You have an excellent background already though from your first two years at DIT). * Again UCD do not offer any placement or practice in a real medical laboratory it's just theory theory theory....snore...

You then enter 4th year where you undergo a supervised research project and you major and minor in two biomedical fields such as Blood Transfusion Science/Haematology/Molecular Diagnostics/Clinical Cytology/Medical Microbiology etc etc

I love Biomedical Science and i do not regret choosing it for one minute it is highly interesting. You have labs almost everyday and everything is very much hands on, the theory part of it is only roughly 55%. The lecturers are very nice, genuine people and experts in their fields with most of them having a Ph.D aswel as 10-20+ years experience in hospitals themselves.

It is a tough, fast paced course but if you put the work in you will be fine. You are also going to be responsible for the lives of the general public and thus the course is regulated by the HSE, the pass rate for modules is usually 40% at third-level in most other courses, but you are required to achieve a minimum of 50%. Don't let this worry you. It also helps when your studying something so stimulating but yes it does have it's boring part's like any other course e.g communications, maths etc.

In first year you will study Cell biology, Biomedical Science, Microbiology, Immunology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Foundation Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Communications, Physics, Mathematics. If you're like me and are not mad about Physics, Maths, Chemistry don't worry you only do them for year 1 and then it focuses more on the biological side of things - they are just to give you a third-level standard foundation in them.

Anyway best of luck with you CAO and your decision! Again i can't recommend Biomed enough, if it appeals to you go for it! And whatever you do if you wish to become a Biomedical Scientist don't choose UCD!

If you have any other questions or anything you are not clear on, don't hesitate to ask!


Gary

ironictoaster

Great post, I'm definitely putting this as my first choice!

celtic723

creggy wrote: »

Great post, I'm definitely putting this as my first choice!

i think ill see you in september then if i get the points which please god i will. can never be too sure these days

sunnyjim

I was talking to a guy in work the other day, he said that after a degree (such as analytical chem) you can go on to do a 1 year course in DIT to become a med lab scientist. Whats up with that? Anyone ever heard of it? I assume that its just the final year of one of the courses like DT204 Biomed science or such.

Is it possible that it was some form of the DT226?

Gazza22

sunnyjim wrote: »

I was talking to a guy in work the other day, he said that after a degree (such as analytical chem) you can go on to do a 1 year course in DIT to become a med lab scientist. Whats up with that? Anyone ever heard of it? I assume that its just the final year of one of the courses like DT204 Biomed science or such.

Is it possible that it was some form of the DT226?

My bet is he is misinformed, i have never heard of anything like that and i'm almost 100% positive there is no advanced entry of any form for the final years of Biomedical Science, the only exception is for people who hold a certificate in Medical Laboratory Science awarded on or before 1990 - you then may be eligable for admission into fourth year.

You may enter DT226 as a postgrad but that would not qualify you as a med lab scientist either. Biomedical Science is too specialised to be covered in a one year postgrad.

These are the conditions of membership to the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science to which you must be a full member to practice as a med lab scientist, there are no other routes.


Full Member
Any applicant for admission as a Full Member of the Academy shall hold:

A degree at honours level in the field of Medical Laboratory Science, which has an integrated and supervised placement in a hospital laboratory.

Honours degrees validated for full membership of the Academy are:

* B.Sc. (Hons) in Biomedical Science at Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin St.

* B.Sc. (Hons) in Biomedical Science at Cork Institute of Technology / University College Cork

* B.Sc. (Hons) in Medical Science at Galway Mayo Institute of Technology

OR
equivalent to above

OR
Possess the Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences of the Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin St. or Cork Institute of Technology , awarded prior to 1994, or equivalent.

OR
shall have passed the Final Examination of the Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences

sunnyjim

I really figured as much. I'm just taking a look around to see what I can do really. I came to DIT to do Med Chem, but I scored in the 80% range for Microbiology in 2nd year, kinda wish I got to do more!

sandybum

Hey, I'm a 5th year in the Biomedical Science course in DIT. I really enjoy the course and it was the best choice for me. If you enjoy biology and want to learn more about how the body works and all about microorganisms, cancer, blood components, chemistry of the body and up to date molecular techniques that are the future of Science, then this is the course for you. There is great hands on experience in the practicals and it is a highly respected course with a good career awaiting you. The 3rd year placement in a hospital lab is a brilliant experience and really shows you what you can be doing when you are qualified.
It is a tough course overall but if you put in the work, it really pays off! Most of the subjects are extremely interesting but there are the few boring ones as mentioned before such as maths, communications, professional studies. The class sizes are small compared to university courses and this is really good as the lecturers get to know you well and are able to help you with any troubles you may have.
This course covers a lot of areas of science and can lead on to many areas of further education should you wish to take this route.
I'm sure you have filled out your CAO already but if you do have any questions for me, feel free to ask.

Oh, and about the one further year to qualify as a medical scientist after doing a different course, i believe there is a one year lab placement that people can do and then sit an exam and do an interview with the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science. However, a graduate from one of the Academy approved courses such as DT204 in DIT would be preferable for the job.

sunnyjim

Oh, and about the one further year to qualify as a medical scientist after doing a different course, i believe there is a one year lab placement that people can do and then sit an exam and do an interview with the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science. However, a graduate from one of the Academy approved courses such as DT204 in DIT would be preferable for the job.

I knew it!

Any details?

sandybum

I found this on the Academy website:
In 2001, the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science introduced the Postgraduate Trainee Medical Scientist Scheme to alleviate chronic shortages in staffing levels across the disciplines in Pathology laboratories around the country. The purpose of this scheme was to fill existing vacant posts with trainee post-graduates who, on completion of this programme, would become eligible to hold a post. The training programme involved following a logbook as a training guide and completing a dissertation (2,000 words) pertinent to clinical practice. The final assessment involved attending an oral interview pertaining to the logbook.

I know you used to have to apply to a hospital that will train you for the year but i'm not completely sure if this programme is still running as there is no longer a shortage of medical scientists. It might be worth contacting the Academy though to find out. The website is www.amls.ie

sunnyjim

Nice one sandybum, really appreciated. That's pretty interesting. I'd say it's not done as much considering how the HSE has gone lately.

checki-xx

the course sounds realy good..i think im going to put it first and change my cao because it looks really interesting....

but i love biology at the mo and not doing physics or chemisty and im afraid that i wont b good at them
ohh and anyone in the course or done it...what is the work placement like...is it hard because i read that how u do it determines if u go thru 2 the 4th year???

Gazza22

checki-xx wrote: »

the course sounds realy good..i think im going to put it first and change my cao because it looks really interesting....

but i love biology at the mo and not doing physics or chemisty and im afraid that i wont b good at them
ohh and anyone in the course or done it...what is the work placement like...is it hard because i read that how u do it determines if u go thru 2 the 4th year???

I wouldn't let the Physics and Chemistry put you off the course tbh. Everything starts from scratch so everyone technically has an even chance at the modules. You only do Physics and Chemistry in first year but you will have to put a bit of effort into Chemistry because you will study Bio-Chemistry throughout the degree. Everything starts off slow though.

I also wouldn't worry about the placement, it will be the most enjoyable part of the four years and the most interesting. After completing second year, you will be very well prepared for the placement. It's like any other year you still have exams to pass to enter the following stage - but yes the hospital have to be satisfied you are competent to progress.

checki-xx

Gazza22 wrote: »

I wouldn't let the Physics and Chemistry put you off the course tbh. Everything starts from scratch so everyone technically has an even chance at the modules. You only do Physics and Chemistry in first year but you will have to put a bit of effort into Chemistry because you will study Bio-Chemistry throughout the degree. Everything starts off slow though.

I also wouldn't worry about the placement, it will be the most enjoyable part of the four years and the most interesting. After completing second year, you will be very well prepared for the placement. It's like any other year you still have exams to pass to enter the following stage - but yes the hospital have to be satisfied you are competent to progress.

thanks:) sounds good!

urtearsdontfall

Just seen this post and I have a little more info to add. Gazza pretty much covered what goes on in the course-and excellently so

But as for getting into Biomed any other way, thats now impossible. The only way is through DIT, GMIT and Cork-although Cork dont specialise in a Major, they cover all areas. Could be a good thing or a bad, depending on how you look at it.

The low points to get into the course are absolutely not a reflection on the course load. From day one it is intense. And everyone who started with me is in agreement that Honours Maths should have been an entry requirement. Its way more tough going than many of the courses out there.

The post-grad entry after doing a non-biomed science course is NO LONGER AVAILABLE as the shortage of Biomeds has been more than filled. The 3 undergrad courses are now the only way in.

*However*

There are absolutely no jobs available in the area now, and I dont know how long that will last for. They are not taking anyone on and anybody retiring is not going to be replaced. Im a third year now and doing my placement so I am completely immersed in the lab politics. Also every year without fail the 3rd years are kept on to help out around the labs, not even that is happening this year.

Jeapy

urtearsdontfall wrote: »

The low points to get into the course are absolutely not a reflection on the course load. From day one it is intense. And everyone who started with me is in agreement that Honours Maths should have been an entry requirement. Its way more tough going than many of the courses out there.

I don't agree with this in any way. The LC honours maths course wouldn't really have any bearing on the course. If anything, chemistry or phys/chem for LC would help- but are not essential, they'd just make 1st and 2nd year easier.
Overall, it is tough, but well worth it in my opinion. If you are finding things difficult, the lecturers will help you in any way they can.

urtearsdontfall

Well of course LC science subjects would help, seeing as its a science degree I figured anyone going for it would be smart enough to work that one out for themselves...

Jeapy

urtearsdontfall wrote: »

Well of course LC science subjects would help, seeing as its a science degree I figured anyone going for it would be smart enough to work that one out for themselves...

No need to be so smug. Honours maths should not be a requirement and is not necessary for this course. I did ordinary level maths for LC and got through the course without any problems.
This thread was started by a leaving cert student and I don't want anyone reading this to think they should not apply for this because of your statement.

ironictoaster

If It was HL maths was a requirement, the level of people going for the course would drop. Only 16% of LC students last year did HL Maths, there's a reason for that.

Pharm07

Hey guys, I chose to do a general science degree in UCD because I didn't know what I wanted to do back when I was in school.

I ended up specialising in Pharmacology and now have an honours degree in it....:D

However, I really want to get into Biomedical Science and become a Medical Scientist. I've done some voluntary work last summer to get some experience and show lab managers that I'm serious about this career choice.

I'm now applying for MSc's in Biomedical Science which I hope will help me on my road to become a Medical Scientist. Does anyone think that this will help, is it a good idea??

P.S. Don't be too harsh and tell me the bad news nicely.....please....:o:(

sunnyjim

http://www.amls.ie/images/forms/Medical%20Scientist.pdf

Trance

I wouldn't say that the course I'm doing is a biology one, however it's related and I do have to take biology modules throughout the first 2 years. I have to give it to the biology department in Kevin Street.. They're very good at what they do. The lecturers know how to lecture and their standards are high.

The first year standard of material in many science courses is rarely much more advanced than leaving cert to accomodate the students who've never done the subject before. The biology department don't seem to pay so much attention to this fact though. Of course I can only speak for the modules that were designed for my own subject but the material was definately far beyond leaving cert standard.. which is a good thing in my opinion.

Pharm07

sunnyjim wrote: »

http://www.amls.ie/images/forms/Medical%20Scientist.pdf

Thanks, I've had a look around the amls many times but have never come across this form. Might be perservering and do the masters and hope for the best. Bound to get a job somewhere!

sunnyjim

Well I know you want the bad news put nicely - so to be honest, you're going about this the wrong way! The HSE have laid down these requisites, and since there are more grads than jobs, they don't have to go about the old way of getting people into the job. Apparently you could get lab work if you had a regular science degree, and use 1 years work experience and an interview to get accreditation.

http://www.dit.ie/media/documents/study/undergraduate/undergraduatecourses/dt204.pdf

This is the course you'll need to do. You could probably skip 1st year, maybe even 2nd with your degree. That's 2 or 3 years spent studying for your degree which will guarantee you recognition. Why waste 1/2 years studying a masters if it wont get you where you want?

Pharm07

sunnyjim wrote: »

Well I know you want the bad news put nicely - so to be honest, you're going about this the wrong way! The HSE have laid down these requisites, and since there are more grads than jobs, they don't have to go about the old way of getting people into the job. Apparently you could get lab work if you had a regular science degree, and use 1 years work experience and an interview to get accreditation.

http://www.dit.ie/media/documents/study/undergraduate/undergraduatecourses/dt204.pdf

This is the course you'll need to do. You could probably skip 1st year, maybe even 2nd with your degree. That's 2 or 3 years spent studying for your degree which will guarantee you recognition. Why waste 1/2 years studying a masters if it wont get you where you want?

Thanks for that. So far my career is pretty ****, although I do have some good work experience on my CV. But still, is it the recession or is it my me and my degree?? Wish I was smarter and then I could have done Pharmacy and have a proper job title.

Tree

tbh, ring the AMLS and ask them, or email them.

sunnyjim

Best suggestion so far IMO

curious guy

hey i just think ur dressin da course up a lot i did it its fair hard work you want to be sure it is five years. Also at the moment there is no jobs with HSE recruitment ban and the large numbers being left into the profession and coming out of college I dont think everyone will get a job in Ireland how unfair after five tough years dont think the lecturers or collage care they have jobs. The course is excellent in both DIT and CIT from my experience on the positive side if you are interested

celtic723

what can i expect from this course should i get enough points and opt for it next year?

is the workload heavy?

is it easy to find a job after you are qualified?

what's the lecturer(s) of this course like?

any other info i'd really appreciate it.

Cheers.

curious guy

Workload is more than a lot of other courses you wont have that much time for collage events as you would in other courses.

You cant miss labs which are a few hours everyday and you will have around 30 hrs a week roughly .I didnt do first and second year in DIT but I hard its similiar.

Some people liked being kept busy tho as opposed to fluten around. Hard enough to get jobs at the moment. IT use nt to be dunno if it will change hopefully it will.

The lectures are top class, really intelligent, hardworking and helpfull. They actually care in CIT and DIT. Ive heard in UCC you are just a number to them dont know what Galway is like tho.

The stuff you learn is really interesting and challenging and the job is challenging, diverse and good hoursworking conditions and vrey sociable.

If you are interested I would recommend DIT as the place to do it.
A friend of mine wanted to go to a university so turned her nose up at it but in UCC only the top 20 results wise get the chance to do Biomed so I wouldnt recommend this route. She did'nt make the top 20.

This is my view anyway. Hope it helps.

celtic723

the lack of jobs in that sector is a huge turn off. don't think i'll opt for this course now.