Msc or Mres?

I'm really struggling right now because i'm not entirely sure on what to do...
I'm going to be finishing my biochemistry degree next year but i'm not sure what i want to specialise in, however, I know I want to go into research.
I think I want to get into a microbiology career in the future, but I have always been interested in drug design and have taken interest with Bath universities drug design Msc. From that I was thinking maybe getting into say microbiological drug design for say antibiotics, but would that not look bad when applying for a PhD, as an Mres would look more desirable..
Essentially what I'm wondering is that as I want to get a PhD and go into research, would getting a Msc (in drug design at that!) hinder not only my chance of going into research, but also would affect my future job prospects as that combination of the degrees seem....strange?

Reply 1

mirochi

I am accepted to Natural Product Drug Discovery in University of East Anglia and going to be MSc student in this september. Before accepting the offer letter of this university, I researched the similar a topic of yours for master's degree universities in UK (discovery and development of pharmaceuticals/biotechnology).
I can say that most of the MSc degrees are 1-year long and have taught modules in their 1st semester. In the 2nd semester, you'll be focusing on your dissertation only, which is done by researching (as far as I've seen, it's by researching). This dissertation research allows you to go on a PhD programme.
So, in my opinion, you won't lose much if you decide to be a MSc student. You won't sacrifise much on researching. Although it won't be a full-time researching like in Mres, you will still be doing a research

Reply 2

Salll93

Original post by ActuallyIDo

If you want to go into research do an MRes. Pretty simple really, hint in the title and why they were created to accommodate those who wanted to go into research. I was advised to do an MRes and I will start a PhD in October. There is substantially more research than an MSc and when applying for a PhD they look at how much research/lab work you have done. In my interview it was discussed that I had done an MRes, other supervisors said it was an advantage. There is no downside to doing an MRes when you enjoy research whereas there is potential disadvantage for you when going against other people in the future if you pick an MSc. Best of luck.

Reply 3

Throwheraway

Hi, I'll be graduating next year in Biochemistry too. I'd go for an MRes instead of an MSc, knowing that most Ph.D.'s are between 3-4 years long an MRes means your at an advantage in the Professors knowing you can handle the workload and pressure tons of research brings, well at least that's what my personal tutor said when I asked her. But I've known plenty of people who got fully-funded Ph.D. studentships at the likes of Imperial and Cambridge with an MSc, so I'd say follow what you're interested in and it'll shine through.

Reply 4

stabilo20619

I did an MSc and had several PhD offers.

MSc or MRes? From my experience, it doesn't really matter which one you do because both will demonstrate you can handle postgraduate level research. I don't agree that an MRes is the obvious option because they're usually split into 3x 4 month lab projects, whereas a MSc only has 1 project but it's 6 months long. At a PhD interview you'll be asked to talk about one research project you've done, so quality > quantity!

Ultimately, if you don't have extensive knowledge in the area then go for an MSc. If it's something you've already done in your BSc and you just want a better chance at PhD, then do the MRes.

Reply 5

Salll93

Original post by stabilo20619

Not all MRes are the same, I did 1 x 6 month long project and 6 months taught lectures. Some do 2 x 6 month projects and no taught lectures.

The more experience the better.

Reply 6

stabilo20619

Original post by Salll93

Not all MRes are the same, I did 1 x 6 month long project and 6 months taught lectures. Some do 2 x 6 month projects and no taught lectures.

The more experience the better.

An MRes with a 6 month taught component is just a MSc? I don't get it. It's supposed to be a masters by research. Weird.

Reply 7

Salll93

Original post by stabilo20619

An MRes with a 6 month taught component is just a MSc? I don't get it. It's supposed to be a masters by research. Weird.

I think it depends on how many actual credits your research project is worth compared to the taught modules.

The MSc that ran alongside the MRes they only did 2.5 months in a research project.