Masters in Biology feasible career path?

[Cells4life]

For those of you enrolled in a masters in biology program....
1) what do the job opportunities look like?
2) Will the cost of education outweigh the income since a masters program does not guarantee a higher income always?

I am looking at some graduate programs and if anyone has any particular school or any tips and advice they feel is a good resource please let me as I am very confused and need to apply soon! thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Cells4life]

anyone?....suggestions please!

 

[candbgirl]

This may not be the right place to get the info you want.

 

[chillaxbro]

I read somewhere that PhD makes you overqualified to do many jobs so a master is the way to go.

Not sure how reasonable that is though

 

[WaylonS]

Don't do a masters: either get a PhD or don't. A masters in epidemiology or biostats will give you a unique set of skills. Similarly, the process or earning a PhD will give you skills on how to design projects, how to troubleshoot when experiments fail, how to write grants, etc. A plain masters in biology is too short to give you any skills that a PhD or even a research tech with 2 years of experience doesn't already have. Think of it this way: there's a reason why very few universities still offer independent masters in biology

 

[Cells4life]

Don't do a masters: either get a PhD or don't. A masters in epidemiology or biostats will give you a unique set of skills. Similarly, the process or earning a PhD will give you skills on how to design projects, how to troubleshoot when experiments fail, how to write grants, etc. A plain masters in biology is too short to give you any skills that a PhD or even a research tech with 2 years of experience doesn't already have. Think of it this way: there's a reason why very few universities still offer independent masters in biology

hi there! as of now the masters programs i am looking at are masters programs in medical biology (not sure if that is the same as "plain" biology). I intend on going to medical school afterwards, but just in case medical school does not work out, I still want to have a stable career and job security. If you have any advice regarding that I would love to hear,,thanks!

 

[kami333]

hi there! as of now the masters programs i am looking at are masters programs in medical biology (not sure if that is the same as "plain" biology). I intend on going to medical school afterwards, but just in case medical school does not work out, I still want to have a stable career and job security. If you have any advice regarding that I would love to hear,,thanks!

Why not just apply to medical school now instead?

There are much better ways to make up for any deficiencies in your application, ie gap year or two, informal or formal postbacc, SMP, than going through a traditional masters program. At the very least have you looked into getting it paid for one way or another (grants, tuition reimbursement, or similar)?

 

[Cells4life]

Why not just apply to medical school now instead?

There are much better ways to make up for any deficiencies in your application, ie gap year or two, informal or formal postbacc, SMP, than going through a traditional masters program. At the very least have you looked into getting it paid for one way or another (grants, tuition reimbursement, or similar)?

hi there! thanks for the reply...I am hoping to take the MCAT in January of next year and simultaneously take classes as well hopefully once I am in graduate school.

The thing is that I have taken 2 gap years and nothing really significant besides research and some jobs here and there. I was thinking grad school might be a stepping stone as well as give me an extra edge and hopefully I can prove I can handle the rigor of classes. Can you please elaborate on what you meant as informal post bac (ie: do you mean take a bunch of upper graduate courses on my own?) and what schools offer them? thanks!