Computational/Bioeng PhD with Biochem UG? MD/PhD

[kathrasis]

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Is it possible to switch over to a Computational/Bioeng PhD with a Biochem UG major? I've taken upper level math outside of my major and studied a bit of programming on my own. Will my applications to MD/PhD be hindered by declaring this? If so, can I possibly switch over once I am accepted? I would not be opposed to Biophysics either, if that would make my life easier and I could work in the BME labs.

Thanks.

 

[Choculitis]

I don't think this will be a problem. From what I've seen, people change fields all the time. The only issue I could see is that you may need to take a couple extra courses or something.

 

[Lil Mick]

No, if the school is okay with it, the most you'd have to do would be take whatever pre-recs you haven't satisfied to begin your PhD work (summer courses or placement exams...).

 

[kathrasis]

As long as I'm funded, man. Could care less about studying all day long, as long as I ain't eating cup of noodles and wondering about my debt.

 

[Neuronix]

This is institution specific. You might get pushback from the BioE department. I considered doing this myself, but then realized I didn't want to take two years of hard engineering coursework when I could just take one year of relatively soft biophysics coursework and get done faster. I don't think this harmed my training in any way.

Biophysics and computational biology departments will love you. They often include a large component of experimentation and simulation of intra/inter molecular interactions. Thus, coming from a biochem background makes you well suited for such work. That said, once you gain acceptance, you don't actually have to do your PhD in that type of lab...

 

[bd4727]

Yeah, it won't be a problem. Another way around this at many schools is that you can get your PhD degree in one department, but do your thesis research with a person who is only adjunct in that department.

 

[kathrasis]

Cool beans. Thanks guys!