Which degree for specialising in viruses?

So I’m doing A levels in biology, chemistry and maths. I’m interested in a career dealing with viruses, cures and research.
What is my best degree option for this kind of career?
Was thinking biochemistry and pick modules that lend themselves to virus research.
Suppose then I would have to do a masters degree maybe in virology or something.
What do you guys think

Reply 1

username5304322

20

I found some courses which may be of interest.

- BSc Virology and Immunology at Bristol
- BSc Infection and Immunity at UCL
- BSc Infectious Diseases at Edinburgh
- BSc Infectious Diseases and Immunobiology at KCL

Reply 2

Avtarj

OP

9

Original post by AM.TSR

I found some courses which may be of interest.

- BSc Virology

I’ve seen those courses but was reluctant to go for them in case I change my mind on what career I opt for. I thought if I go for a broader degree then I have more options after graduation.
Would biochemistry be a suitable way to get to a virus related career? Or would microbiology, biomedicine or something else be a wiser choice?

Reply 3

username5304322

20

Original post by Avtarj

I’ve seen those courses but was reluctant to go for them in case I change my mind on what career I opt for. I thought if I go for a broader degree then I have more options after graduation.
Would biochemistry be a suitable way to get to a virus related career? Or would microbiology, biomedicine or something else be a wiser choice?

For STP positions in the life sciences (which include virology), the most commonly accepted degrees will be in biomedical sciences, biology, microbiology, genetics or biochemistry.

Reply 4

Avtarj

OP

9

Original post by AM.TSR

For STP positions in the life sciences (which include virology)

STP is quite hard to get into isn’t it, limited spaces with lots of applications?

Reply 5

yeahthatonethere

16

Original post by Avtarj

So I’m doing A levels in biology, chemistry and maths. I’m interested in a career dealing with viruses, cures and research.
What is my best degree option for this kind of career?
Was thinking biochemistry and pick modules that lend themselves to virus research.
Suppose then I would have to do a masters degree maybe in virology or something.
What do you guys think

Microbiology or biological sciences will probably be your best choices here. You can check biochemistry degrees but from experience with my university they don't get many virus/microbiology related modules. This is something you'd have to check with each uni as each uni will provide different modules.

Biological sciences will provide the broad range you're looking for (possibly too broad if you don't like a lot of parts of biology e.g. Plants, andd such) which allows specialisation in later years. I do a microbiology degree and at my uni the first year was quite broad with specialisation down to bacteria, viruses, and immunology in the 2nd year.

If there's anything else you'd like to know just shout and I'll give a hand as best I can!

Reply 6

Avtarj

OP

9

Original post by yeahthatonethere

Microbiology or biological sciences will probably be your best choices here.

I’m more in to chemistry hence why I was leaning towards biochem. I’m not into plants and all that so I’m a little put off microbiology. I thought I could do biochem and then really specialise with my masters. I’ve heard that the STP looks favourably on those with a masters. What do you think ?

Reply 7

yeahthatonethere

16

Original post by Avtarj

I’m more in to chemistry hence why I was leaning towards biochem. I’m not into plants and all that so I’m a little put off microbiology. I thought I could do biochem and then really specialise with my masters. I’ve heard that the STP looks favourably on those with a masters. What do you think ?

I've done two years of a microbiology degree and am yet to learn a thing about plants (I was referring to biological sciences when I said that - completely different degree)! I find them super boring too. Like I said, the only way to really know if Biochem would be suitable would be to look at the modules provided at each university - the course name may be the same but the content could differ widely. It will also depend how much you would like to focus on virology. You may only be able to take one or two optional modules a year based on it if doing a biochemistry degree (again, depends on the uni). I don't know much about masters applications so I'm just guessing here (I'm on an integrated masters so don't have to worry about it) but I imagine as long as your degree has at least some relevant modules, you should be fine to apply to the relevant masters.

I don't know anything at all really about the STP, sorry! I'm interested in research as my future career, not too fussed about working in the NHS so I've never really looked into it that much. Hopefully someone else can give you more advice on that front though!

Reply 8

Avtarj

OP

9

Ok thanks for that. It’s really confusing choosing courses. Also have to make sure that job prospects are good. Torn between biomed, biochem and microbiology.

In terms of the nhs stp I’m not really looking to work in nhs but thought it would be a good way to get experience and training

Reply 9

MichaelM98123

6

I did Biological Sciences at The University of Leeds, and chose to specialise on Virology throughout my degree learning all virology modules! I then did an integrated masters doing a really cool year virology project! I would say if you want to do virology research it is more about what University you go to as many do not have the facilities or lecturers to give virology content in the UK. So if it is viruses you're interested in, look at where you want to go and not what course.

In Leeds if you choose microbiology you do lots of virology (no plants) and if you do biological sciences you then choose what you want to do in the second year when you have a better idea of what you enjoy (that’s why I picked biological sciences). I choose infectious diseases, but there’s also plants, cancer biology and technology.

Hope that helps

Reply 10

Avtarj

OP

9

Original post by MichaelM98123

I did Biological Sciences at The University of Leeds, and chose to specialise on Virology

I’m very interested in infectious diseases so like u I would look to pick appropriate modules during my degree. During my research on universities I am noticing the amount of difference between courses with the same name.
I was hoping to do a degree with an emphasis in chemistry as I find it easier than biology hence the thought to do biochemistry. But some of the modules seem more appropriate in microbiology,
Did u have a lot of modules on plants and animals in biological sciences
What kind of modules did u pick to specialise in virology?
And if u don’t mind me asking what do I plan to do for work once u graduate?

Reply 11

MichaelM98123

6

Yeah true content varies between universities even though the degree title is the same. It all depends on what lecturers that university has and what they specialise in, for example my supervisor for my lab project works on a certain kind of viruses.

In Biological Sciences I have chosen to do no plant and animal modules at all. They are not what I find interesting. I have done cellular and molecular biology with heavily virology content.

The modules are virology specific, so I’ve done modules a wide variety of virology. From how they form to how they hijack human cells for replication, to how drugs used to treat them work.

That is something I am still working on, with everything that is going on graduating this year isn’t the best example for what you could do. There’s a lot of options