Medicine => Biotechnology/chemistry

[Phoenix_of_the_ashes]

A question for anybody who works in the fields of biochemistry, biotechnology or medicine.

Im planning on starting Med school in october, my real goal however is to later specialize in biochemistry or something in the field of biotechnology. Im doing this because the courses for biotech or biochem are still relatively new and you can never really tell hoe demand will be for those people in the long term, so if I have medicine as a base Ill always have something for show.

Id just like some feedback on this.

 

[Road Demon]

I think you mean not biotechnolgy but more molecular biology?

As you are already aware, the training is different for an MD vs a Ph.D. In very simple terms, training for an MD based on amassing facts about the human body and how the organism functions, then applying these fact to diagnosis and treat disease.

Ph.D training in where you learn how to think about a problem, come up with a reasonable hypothesis related on how to solve the problem, and then test your hypothesis usually through experimention.

Ph.D training in the biological sciences, generally involves 5 years of study post 4 year degree. A Ph.D is usually tuition free as well as recieving a small living stipend 21-24K/year.

During your MD training you could always take a year off between say the 2 and 3rd year of study (between the class and clinical phases) to do year of paid research as a research technician. This would strengthen your application to MD residency programs, as well as giving you a taste for Research. And/ OR you could do a "Postdoc" in molecular biology or biochem for a year or 2 after your MD.

If I was to do it again, I would have done an MD post my MS degree, instead of the Ph.D. Then do a Post-Doc. But hindsight is 20/20.

 

[Phoenix_of_the_ashes]

Im going to study in Italy, its a bit different there.

You do so called "laurea" first for 5 years, then you take another 3 - 5 years for some sort of "laurea specialistica", for specialisation. So my plan is to do the latter in the field of molecular biology.

What exactly is it that your studying and why would you have done MD?

 

[Road Demon]

Forget something...

You could also do Summer Research rotation at the Medical School, some are paid~10/hr, but most do not, as it depends on the Professor and funding of the Lab, plus remember they are training you how to do research, so it will cost them time to teach you. Usually you try to get an abstract/poster/ co-authorship of of the experience.

 

[Road Demon]

As far as I'm aware in the US, med school is 4 years, basic science class for the first 2 years then the step 1 exam, then last 2 years are clinical rotations, then step 2 exam.

After the MD degree, you are required to complete a residency for 3-5 years depending on the specialization in say internal medicine, dermatology, etc, then after that you can go do fellowship after that.

As far a Ph.D, normally you do a post doc for 1-3 years post degree, Academia is favored over industry. Post Doc (s) are required to become University Professor.

MS in Microbiology and Genetics
about 6 months away from a PhD in "Molecular" Physiology

 

[Ricky]

My brother has advanced degrees in pharmacy. Years ago when he got them, he complained that in the big pharmaceutical companies, the MD's (many of which knew way less pharmacy) ran the companies.

Biochemistry is the backbone of pharmacy now. If you got a MD/PhD with that specialization you would have a range of options from practicing medicine to being a manager in a pharmaceutical company.

I think its a great decision.

MD/PhD programs are pretty competitive, but is a nice way to go through med school although it adds time.

 

[Luveno]

An MD/PhD program will set you back up to 8 years! If you are really set on doing this, then by all means go for it. Just know that it will be a long, challenging ride.

 

[Phoenix_of_the_ashes]

Originally posted by Luveno
An MD/PhD program will set you back up to 8 years! If you are really set on doing this, then by all means go for it. Just know that it will be a long, challenging ride.

Im aware of that and ready, but in the end I dont want to perscribe pills for old ladys and ****.

 

[Road Demon]

The MD/PhD option can be quite nice...IMO

It can works like this...
First 2 years medical school w/ a 12-17K year stipend
Then 3-4 years of PhD study (the PhD is faster as the MD school classes count toward the first year of PhD classes, plus you are under different set of "rules for PhD study" ) with a 20K year stipend. Complete the PhD, get your first 2 years of MD school reimbursed.
Finish up the last 2 years of medical school w/ 12-17K stipend.

So, 7-8 years, not all that bad IMO. If you are young and don't want to go into 100+ K debt for a MD school, and you are a highly qualified applicant than this is a great option. A PhD in the sciences is more respected than an MD outside of clinical practice, so with a combined degree you can float between 2 realms.

You will get a great training and you will learn so much to learn how to think like a scientist, but have the experience of a clinician. The cost is 8 years of your life when others you graduated from college are getting married, buying houses, making babies, etc...

If you want to practice medicine you will still have to do residency @3-7 years above the school time.

If I were to do it again I would have done the MD or the combined MD/PhD. It would have allowed greater options and most likely more $$$, in the future.