Questions about MD/PhD program

[Kickback]

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HI, I am a Freshman that is studying Biomedical Engineering currently, and although it may seem early, I am trying to gather information about graduate school and what not. I really haven't found that much information on MD/PhD programs.

I am extremely interested in BME, and the research and development involved. I will be doing research in both BME and biomedical sciences at some point, to really narrow down the field. I would love to combine both the BME research and development with the medical application.

I intend to either specialize in biomechanics or bioelectronics.

I also like the flexibility of this degree, and the different kinds of study that you get to complete.

Some questions:

-What kinds of opportunities would a BME PhD be able to apply the PhD to the MD side of things? Mostly industry work?

-What types of specialties combine well with BME?

-Is surgery (such as neuro) an option? I realize would be in school... forever 😱

 

[GliaGirl]

I know that a lot of school are currently doing a lot of tissue engineering. That seems BME-ish. Many people get their PhD in a field other than their undergraduate specialty at some schools. It just depends who is doing research that is interesting to you, and what department they are under. BME also has a lot of applications ot physical therapy.

In general, surgery is always looking for new and imporoved ways to chop people up and put them back together in a better way. That seems like a good place for someone with an engineering background.

Neurosurgery is an option if you want it to be... I don't see why it wouldn't be. It's very competitive to get a residency in, however. So you will have to be the best of the best of the best. 🙂

Keep your grades high and start studying for the MCAT if you can. It's never too early to start studying, and in my opinion, the longer you study, the better you will do.

Make sure to do undergraduate research in a lab where you can do independent projects. This is looked upon more favorably than research that was basically just doing western blots for a graduate student for hours every week.

 

[dl2dp2]

HI, I am a Freshman that is studying Biomedical Engineering currently, and although it may seem early, I am trying to gather information about graduate school and what not. I really haven't found that much information on MD/PhD programs.

I am extremely interested in BME, and the research and development involved. I will be doing research in both BME and biomedical sciences at some point, to really narrow down the field. I would love to combine both the BME research and development with the medical application.

I intend to either specialize in biomechanics or bioelectronics.

I also like the flexibility of this degree, and the different kinds of study that you get to complete.

Some questions:

-What kinds of opportunities would a BME PhD be able to apply the PhD to the MD side of things? Mostly industry work?

Depends on your thesis. Although I'd say vast majority of MD/PHD who did a PhD in BMD do not go into the industry. They remain in medicine.

-What types of specialties combine well with BME?

Pretty much any specialty can work well with BME, a very applied engineering field.

-Is surgery (such as neuro) an option? I realize would be in school... forever 😱

neurosurgery is definitely an option.

 

[Kickback]

Thanks for the replies!

I've been looking at MD/PhD programs some more, and they all look really interesting right now. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to do some actual research in a lab before I go and make these big life decisions.

I was also wondering how work experience looks; i.e. working for a company where I would do BME stuff for a year or two to build up some cash/pay off debt/start investments? I would take the MCAT for sure senior year to get a good score before I forget all this knowledge I've paid for 🙄

Happy Halloween to all!