Few questions

[FreudsDaddy]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I want to research not only pharmaceutical drugs but also do research into gene therapy. And genetic engineering.

My questions are what degrees must I attain to get the job positions necessary to do these things?

Also tell me if I need a phd in biomedical sciences or a phd in biological chemistry.

Also what new things can I do with a medical degree that I can't do with just a phd?

 

[the duck]

I want to research not only pharmaceutical drugs but also do research into gene therapy. And genetic engineering.

My questions are what degrees must I attain to get the job positions necessary to do these things?

Also tell me if I need a phd in biomedical sciences or a phd in biological chemistry.

Also what new things can I do with a medical degree that I can't do with just a phd?

Well I don't know much about the degree you need for those jobs, but why are you posting in this forum when you clearly aren't trying to pursue a career in medicine?

As for the advantages of an MD. You can treat patients, I also hear having an MD helps getting papers and such published. However if you aren't planning on doing anything remotely clinical, there is no point in getting an MD.

 

[FreudsDaddy]

Well I don't know much about the degree you need for those jobs, but why are you posting in this forum when you clearly aren't trying to pursue a career in medicine?

As for the advantages of an MD. You can treat patients, I also hear having an MD helps getting papers and such published. However if you aren't planning on doing anything remotely clinical, there is no point in getting an MD.

No I plan on getting the MD so I can use what I find in research on patients. With just a phd I can't administer any drugs or apply what I found in research.

 

[Nymphicus]

From your brief description it sounds like you are more interested in a PhD than a MD, PhD than a MD/DO.

 

[Nymphicus]

No I plan on getting the MD so I can use what I find in research on patients. With just a phd I can't administer any drugs or apply what I found in research.

I think you would be happiest in your future career if you did some more research first.

 

[FreudsDaddy]

Also I'm doing the phd first because I THINK it will improve my chances to getting into medical school.


I think its a lot easier to get a phd first then apply for medical school. Because most applicants have only a bachelors. I started off poorly so far in undergrad so I know my shots of getting in with just a bachelors is non existent.

 

[unhappytnt]

A PhD might improve your chances of getting into medical school but keep in mind that doctoral degrees take, in average, 7 years to complete. Add some post-doc research in there before you apply to med school and you are looking into 8-10 years at least.. There are easier and less time consuming methods of improving your chances of getting into med school than getting a PhD.

 

[LoveTheRunner]

couple of things:

1) drug development and handing out your own prescriptions are just a wee bit on the polar opposite sides of healthcare. there's a reason that doctors have minimal interaction with drug reps in the university setting nowadays. conflict of interests kinda thing

2) i have very high doubts we will see any significant advances to gene therapy in our lifetime, so i doubt you would ever have the opportunity to "put your research to practice"

3) a PhD won't replace your undergrad performance

 

[Astarael]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you probably won't be able to do research on pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, and genetic engineering. You typically have to have a somewhat narrow research focus in order to become an expert, and you need to be an expert in order to get funding. Maybe gene therapy and genetic engineering could go together if you were looking at a biological (viral) vector for transfection of new genetic material, but I can't think of a great way that you'd be able to link pharmaceuticals in with that.

I definitely could be wrong about this, but you'll need to look into it more to see if what you want to do is even possible.

 

[FreudsDaddy]

couple of things:

1) drug development and handing out your own prescriptions are just a wee bit on the polar opposite sides of healthcare. there's a reason that doctors have minimal interaction with drug reps in the university setting nowadays. conflict of interests kinda thing

2) i have very high doubts we will see any significant advances to gene therapy in our lifetime, so i doubt you would ever have the opportunity to "put your research to practice"

3) a PhD won't replace your undergrad performance

Well heres the deal. I'm transferring to oakland university from oakland community college. The problem is my current gpa is 2.93 With 7 dropped classes. I know this sounds bad but that was when I was young and dumb. I currently have 54 credits and lets say from here on out I just go crazy and just finish out with a 3.5 gpa. And do well on the mcat. I'm talking high 30's low 40's. Will that then give me a chance?

 

[LoveTheRunner]

i would reel in your mcat expectations a bit, though if you are serious about your coursework here on out than a 3.4-3.5 and maybe 34-36, you'd have easily shown your maturity assuming everything else (ECs, letters) is in line. Wait until your senior year to see how things play out before wanting to commit yourself to a path

 

[FreudsDaddy]

I got this idea from this site.http://www.ehow.com/list_6773008_careers-drug-research.html


A joint medical and Doctorate program requires up to eight years of study and equips students with clinical and research skills required of a medical research physician. A second option for a drug research scientist is to complete a combined medical and Doctoral program.

 

[FreudsDaddy]

i would reel in your mcat expectations a bit, though if you are serious about your coursework here on out than a 3.4-3.5 and maybe 34-36, you'd have easily shown your maturity assuming everything else (ECs, letters) is in line. Wait until your senior year to see how things play out before wanting to commit yourself to a path

Any link on here that says what are typical ecs to do? I have yet to do any but i got about 2.5 years of undergrad left and better start now.

Also the reason i'm so confidant I can do well on the mcat is because of this site. http://www.khanacademy.org/#Organic Chemistry

Which has every science covered from the best instructor for free.

Also because I have every examkrackers and kaplan test material.

 

[Signifier]

Nevermind, it's a troll.

 

[FreudsDaddy]

Nevermind, it's a troll.

??

I actually appreciated the advice but not sure what you are talking about.

Since I am no longer going to pursue the phd I am still confused about my options regarding medical school.

I plan on majoring in biochemistry but that was because I thought I was going to get a phd in a biological science.

Now I'm not sure what to major in. Or what I must do to get in.

 

[FreudsDaddy]

Nevermind, it's a troll.

Oh you think i'm a troll for posting a link to the khan academy? That was because it has all the subjects covered on the mcat. And I know most people here haven't taken it yet. So was trying to be helpful. If thats against the rules then i will remove it. I showed my friend that site who is premed and he loved it so figured you guys would too. No big deal.