What would be a good degree to take if I want to become a medical researcher?

So I want to become a medical researcher/scientist. What route do I take? I'm stuck between biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology and microbiology. Also, what would i do after i get the bachelors degree? Any advice?

Reply 1

becausethenight

All of those degrees would be good options - they focus on different areas of research so it will depend what you find most interesting. Typically most research scientists will get postgraduate degrees too (Master’s/PhD).
These articles might be helpful: https://targetcareers.co.uk/career-sectors/healthcare-and-veterinary-medicine/1014251-medical-research-jobs-and-qualifications, [url=https://jobs.newscientist.com/en-gb/article/how-to-make-a-career-in-medical-research-/,https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2011/mar/14/routes-into-medical-research-careers]https://jobs.newscientist.com/en-gb/article/how-to-make-a-career-in-medical-research-/, https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2011/mar/14/routes-into-medical-research-careers

Reply 2

yeahthatonethere

Like the previous poster said, all are fine options for this but specialise in different aspects of medical research. Do you know what kind of things in medical research interest you (e.g. more physiology based, drug based, infectious disease based, and so on)?
Im currently going into my third year (of four, I'm on an integrated masters) of a microbiology degree if you have any question about what it's like!

Reply 3

90 cent

yooo i want to go into the drug side of medical research but can i do that with an undergraduate degree in pharmacy? i know pharmacology is quite different to pharm, but i want to work in the more scientific research field with a degree in pharmacy can i do that? or do i need to take a postgradute degree in something else?

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 4

Lewis T K

It’s highly dependent upon what you want to actually research. The undergrad you chooses doesn’t limit you to that specific field. All the undergrads you mentioned would be a good start, then your postgrad will really determine your future career. Most medical researches will do an undergrad then an MSc/Mres and PhD. You apply for these once you have finished your undergrad, or during your last year. Postgrads tend to be far more specific than undergrads and will guide you into a career in that field

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 5

Lewis T K

Also, many medical researchers come from a clinical background, so their primary degree will be in medicine, so an MBChB or MBBS (or equivalent). They then can decide if they want to go into research. Many following this route will enhance their academic profile with an MD or PhD. A good example of a career that follows this route is a surgeon-scientist

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 6

90 cent

Original post by Lewis T K

could someone come from a background of pharmacy then

Reply 7

Lewis T K

Original post by Yas031119

could someone come from a background of pharmacy then

I would imagine they could, I’m not too familiar with the MPharm course structure, but in my MSc there was one person with an MPharm and and one with a DPharm. Again I guess it would be a matter of what kind of research you go into. I would imagine drug discovery and clinical trials would be suited to a pharmacist, did you do much work with pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in your degree?

Reply 8

90 cent

Original post by Lewis T K

pharmacokinetics was a huge part in the Mpharm degree i would say there was some study of pharmacodynamics but more pharmkinetics in general, will that affect anything? oh and if you dont mind me asking what MSc did you do? :3

Reply 9

Lewis T K

To be honest I’m not sure, you should contact people within the industry like GSK and AstraZeneca. My MSc was in Precision Oncology and Cancer Research. So it was very much an oncology focused postgrad. We done a lot of drug discovery as well as surgical studies.

Reply 10

90 cent

yeah i've looked up various universities and their postgraduate courses, they offer the masters you have studied yourself in oncology and cancer research etc.. available for people who have studied pharm for their undergraduate degree.

Reply 11

biochemical.ucl

Original post by Yas031119

It's a really long and (I think) interesting process getting from discovering a new medicine to actually treating people with it. The discovery phase takes place in the lab, the next part is testing, then clinical trials before you come to the critical question of can you actually manufacture it? An exciting new treatment that is impossible to manufacture economically isn't a real solution at all - this is the bit where we get involved, the field of biochemical engineering. Beyond that you've got epidemiology, economics, don't forget diagnostics - that's really fascinating. Personally, I think the field of personalised or targeted healthcare is where the future lies, the idea of being able to develop a treatment for a specific group of people or even an individual, and then you've got cell and gene therapy. Sorry to chuck all this in the mix but look into this stuff as it may inspire you to something you'd not previously considered. Good luck!

Reply 12

90 cent

That's really interesting, i feel like a pharmacist undergraduate degree would appear most useful in the discovery of the drug and the clinical trials of it, but to get there i will need a Msc in pharmaceutical chemistry/biopharmaceutics or drug development science, so i've heard.

Reply 13

ProPrep

Official Rep

Original post by FreshBlaze

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