M.Sc Translational Oncology

notaguest

Hey guys. I'm an I.T. Grad looking to do this course. Does anyone know how competitive entry is for this? Is it a problem my degree is from an I.T.?

If I'm right it's a new course this year? Difficult to predict what demand would be like, but I imagine it will be popular as both oncology and translational research are very popular! I remember reading the blurb about the course and they did say applicants should have a 2.1 in a biology related discipline, so you may have an issue with the IT degree unfortunately. Your best bet is to contact one of the course organisers and ask about it!

Karen_Ann

Did the M.Sc in its first year, graduated last November. Can answer any questions you have about it!

sleepyheadh

Karen_Ann wrote: »

Did the M.Sc in its first year, graduated last November. Can answer any questions you have about it!

Hi Karen, im in medicine at the moment and am wondering whether or not to go take a year out at the end of 3rd year to do a M.Sc, i was looking at the translational oncology masters.

Do you happen to know if any meds ( not sure if any even did it) where happy with doing the M.Sc?

Karen_Ann

sleepyheadh wrote: »

Hi Karen, im in medicine at the moment and am wondering whether or not to go take a year out at the end of 3rd year to do a M.Sc, i was looking at the translational oncology masters.

Do you happen to know if any meds ( not sure if any even did it) where happy with doing the M.Sc?

Hey. When I did it there was an issue with meds doing the M.Sc as an intercalated year, but maybe that issue is resolved now! However, I know quiet a few meds that wanted to it but couldn't ended up doing the molecular medicine M.Sc instead, and many of them actually did their research placements with the dept. of surgery, who run the trans oncol M.Sc. The one thing I would say is that the course is very very intensive (I know they have reduced a lot of the workload this year, but a lot is still expected of the students!) so if you are after a year away from the workload of medicine, this def isn't the course for you. However, I loved it! The coordinators are all lovely and really look after the students who show an interest. I couldn't recommend it enough, but be willing to put your head down! Also, my year was about 3/4 scientists and 1/4 medics and the content is really geared toward both disciplines, with lectures given by both clinicians and scientists. Hope that helps!

sleepyheadh

thanks Karen, thats super helpful!

Yeah, I guess the thing I am pondering most is if the extra degree will be worth in the long term. Will I end up kinda being a bit shoehorned into oncology or more general academic pursuits?

(Hope I'm not being a pest)

A Neurotic

sleepyheadh wrote: »

Hi Karen, im in medicine at the moment and am wondering whether or not to go take a year out at the end of 3rd year to do a M.Sc, i was looking at the translational oncology masters.

Do you happen to know if any meds ( not sure if any even did it) where happy with doing the M.Sc?

sleepyheadh wrote: »

thanks Karen, thats super helpful!

Yeah, I guess the thing I am pondering most is if the extra degree will be worth in the long term. Will I end up kinda being a bit shoehorned into oncology or more general academic pursuits?

(Hope I'm not being a pest)

Hey sleepyhead, I just finished up an intercalated M.Sc this week. I did the Neuroscience M.Sc so I can't advise you on the oncology course, (in fact, no medical students took the oncology program this year, which I found surprising) but I will say that having an extra qualification and a bit of research experience will likely stand to you in future, regardless of what direction you want to go in. For example, for UK foundation program applications, having an M.Sc. automatically adds several points to your application score (not a huge amount, as far as I know, but every little helps).

So if you do the course and decide oncology isn't for you, rather than being shoehorned you'll actually be in a position to apply for any area you like and you'll have a slightly stronger application.

sleepyheadh

Thanks A_Neurotic, thats really helpful.

Just for example, in your case are you edging towards a specialty that relates to Neurosci? or was it just something that you enjoyed and thought best of doing the M.Sc?

A Neurotic

sleepyheadh wrote: »

Thanks A_Neurotic, thats really helpful.

Just for example, in your case are you edging towards a specialty that relates to Neurosci? or was it just something that you enjoyed and thought best of doing the M.Sc?

I'm really interested in neuroscience (probably going to go on to do psychiatry) so the M.Sc. idea appealed to me from when I first heard about it.

I'd also be interested in the academic side of things as well as the clinical so getting a bit of research time was great as well. I learned quite a few lab skills, as well as having a few journal club/lit review assignments throughout the year, and just generally getting a better idea of the whole scientific process. So all in all it was a no-brainer for me.

I was initially offered the Mol. Med course, but I don't think I'd have taken it just for the sake of having an M.Sc. My interest is Neuro was the main thing for me really.

sleepyheadh

A Neurotic wrote: »

I'm really interested in neuroscience (probably going to go on to do psychiatry) so the M.Sc. idea appealed to me from when I first heard about it.

I'd also be interested in the academic side of things as well as the clinical so getting a bit of research time was great as well. I learned quite a few lab skills, as well as having a few journal club/lit review assignments throughout the year, and just generally getting a better idea of the whole scientific process. So all in all it was a no-brainer for me.

I was initially offered the Mol. Med course, but I don't think I'd have taken it just for the sake of having an M.Sc. My interest is Neuro was the main thing for me really.

So would I be right in saying; if you're interested in the topic - go for it. If not - don't?

A Neurotic

sleepyheadh wrote: »

So would I be right in saying; if you're interested in the topic - go for it. If not - don't?

That's completely up to you! Some, like me, are particularly interested in one of the courses on offer. Others aren't too fussed about which exact course and just like the idea of getting an M.Sc and a bit of research experience on the CV (not for a second suggesting there's anything wrong with that in case that's how I'm coming across).

Have you considered mol med? I haven't researched it much but it seems to be a good choice if you're not too keen on going into one area in depth - apparently the modules cover cancer biology, immunity, and evolution, among others. I think it has fairly broad options for research projects as well. There are 10 or 11 spaces for med students on the course too, as opposed to 6 or 7 in neuroscience. Not sure how many places they offer for oncology.

sleepyheadh

A Neurotic wrote: »

That's completely up to you! Some, like me, are particularly interested in one of the courses on offer. Others aren't too fussed about which exact course and just like the idea of getting an M.Sc and a bit of research experience on the CV (not for a second suggesting there's anything wrong with that in case that's how I'm coming across).

Have you considered mol med? I haven't researched it much but it seems to be a good choice if you're not too keen on going into one area in depth - apparently the modules cover cancer biology, immunity, and evolution, among others. I think it has fairly broad options for research projects as well. There are 10 or 11 spaces for med students on the course too, as opposed to 6 or 7 in neuroscience. Not sure how many places they offer for oncology.

Yeah, I probably have the most interest in Mol med and Trans onc, not 100% on neurosci, but then again it could all change!