Graduate School

[Enlitx]

I have some questions regarding graduate school. I am a junior biochemistry major at a fairly large university, and I have started to look into graduate schools. I am interested in neuroscience/pharmacology as well as bioinformatics. I was wondering if anyone here is currently in a PhD program in those fields.

I really enjoy computer programming, so that is why I was considering bioinformatics, but so far the only experience I have had with bioinformatics is predicting gene function based on a nucleotide/AA sequence. Can you specialize in algorithm design to predict protein folding and function? I would rather work on designing computer programs to aid in proteomics, but I haven't been able to find much on this. Would that be more of a computer science related field?

I am also interested in pharmacology with a focus on neuroscience. Has anyone here had expereince with that? If so, is it enjoyable? What kinds of problems and experiments are commonplace in this field? I realize studying the action of molecules on a neurons would be the general idea, but is it strictly limited to assays involving receptor affinity, metabolism of neurotransmitters, etc? I would be interested in trying to tie behavior models wtih specific chemicals, but I didn't know if that was too broad or more of a biopsychology field.

Finally, would I be qualified for a good school considering my current credentials. As I said I am a junior, I will graduate from the honors program next semester, and I have a 3.789 GPA. I will take the GREs in June. I have completed a research internship at UNMC (the best medical school in my state of Nebraska) in which I presented some of my findings at a local conference. I also have a year and a half of experience doing biochemistry research at my university. I have never been published, but I should have a very good letter of recommendation from the head of biochemistry undergraduate studies as well as someone from UNMC. I guess I just wanted to know where I stand, and whether or not I should apply to some top tier schools.

 

[Lysis]

I looked at Bioinformatics too. You only need a masters for it. I am a developer with an academic background in biology and chemistry, so I considered it. You can actually do that master's online.

You GPA is fine. For instance, for a master's in my school you need at least a 3.0 and 1000 on the GRE. I'm bordering the GPA limit since I decided to fuck around for a couple of years, but it all depends on the evaluation. You will need letters of recommendation. For me, I need 2 from professors and 1 other.

All you can do is give it a shot at top tier schools. Of course, they have a lot of competition. I've known some TA's in my school who have gotten into med school with a 22 on the MCAT and I've had a lab partner who couldn't get into any of her choice schools with a 3.9 GPA (only 1 B ever). It just depends on so many aspects that you need to try and see how it goes.

 

[Enlitx]

I looked at Bioinformatics too. You only need a masters for it. I am a developer with an academic background in biology and chemistry, so I considered it. You can actually do that master's online.

You GPA is fine. For instance, for a master's in my school you need at least a 3.0 and 1000 on the GRE. I'm bordering the GPA limit since I decided to fuck around for a couple of years, but it all depends on the evaluation. You will need letters of recommendation. For me, I need 2 from professors and 1 other.

All you can do is give it a shot at top tier schools. Of course, they have a lot of competition. I've known some TA's in my school who have gotten into med school with a 22 on the MCAT and I've had a lab partner who couldn't get into any of her choice schools with a 3.9 GPA (only 1 B ever). It just depends on so many aspects that you need to try and see how it goes.

What kinds of things did you see when looking at bioinformatics? Was it mainly mapping and annotating genes, or did you actually get into some of the programming aspects? I am taking a research class right now on bioinformatics, but like I said, I don't think I am getting the full picture. I want to get a doctorate, is it possible to do that with bioinformatics, or is it masters only?

Btw, are you currently in graduate school?

 

[Lysis]

I'm applying for grad school. I need to take the GRE which I am scheduled to do April 11th. I've already started working on my letters of recommendation. It's such a PITA, but it's more tedious work that involves talking to professors and asking them for letters and subsequently writing the 2 page letter they ask for (all of them did, so I guess it's standard).

The school I looked at for Bioinformatics had an online degree. I can't remember what school it was (it's been a year since I looked into it). It had typical classes in the field and then it forked into 2 paths depending upon which side you needed more experience - if you had strong programming, then you took the chemistry classes, if you had strong chemistry, you took the programming classes.

I've never seen a doctorate in the field, but that does not mean you can't further your degree from a master's.

I cannot remember exactly what the classes are, but if you look into online bioinformatic programs, you'll get a good idea.

 

[RedLeader]

I have some questions regarding graduate school. I am a junior biochemistry major at a fairly large university, and I have started to look into graduate schools. I am interested in neuroscience/pharmacology as well as bioinformatics. I was wondering if anyone here is currently in a PhD program in those fields.

I have a BA and an MSc in mathematics, and I am planning on soon getting my PhD in either Applied Mathematics or Computer Science. So no, I am not in your fields, but I'm in the hard sciences.

I really enjoy computer programming, so that is why I was considering bioinformatics, but so far the only experience I have had with bioinformatics is predicting gene function based on a nucleotide/AA sequence. Can you specialize in algorithm design to predict protein folding and function? I would rather work on designing computer programs to aid in proteomics, but I haven't been able to find much on this. Would that be more of a computer science related field?

Yes, it would, probably. How much programming do you know? Not trying to grill you, but to get into a phd program in pure CompSci, you need to be good.

With that said, EVERYONE hires computer science PhDs. For example, my end goal is to work in high-end finance, but I'd actually have a better chance getting in with a computer science degree than anything else. CompSci is good for two reasons:

1) Like mathematics, it shows that anyone who can prove proficiency in it at a high level is likely one who can learn new things relatively quickly, and could learn the "current problem" much quicker after having learned how to "solve generalised problems." A computer scientist can learn to model, for example, biological stuff A LOT better than a bio major, who attempts a crash course(s) in programming to get to where s/he wants to be.

2) The courses all have "projects" built into them, and you will write a thesis on something of your interest - and you can easily extend this into other sciences. Pendning on where you go, some compsci programs can almost taylor-make a program for your particular applied interest.

But again I must state, Computer Science PhDs are valued everywhere, across all locations and industries. It's one of the strongest degrees one can obtain these days.

I am also interested in pharmacology with a focus on neuroscience. Has anyone here had expereince with that? If so, is it enjoyable? What kinds of problems and experiments are commonplace in this field? I realize studying the action of molecules on a neurons would be the general idea, but is it strictly limited to assays involving receptor affinity, metabolism of neurotransmitters, etc? I would be interested in trying to tie behavior models wtih specific chemicals, but I didn't know if that was too broad or more of a biopsychology field.

Not personally, but if you're serious, send me a PM and I can try and get you contacts. I know people doing phds in various scientific fields, they know people, etc.

Finally, would I be qualified for a good school considering my current credentials. As I said I am a junior, I will graduate from the honors program next semester, and I have a 3.789 GPA. I will take the GREs in June. I have completed a research internship at UNMC (the best medical school in my state of Nebraska) in which I presented some of my findings at a local conference. I also have a year and a half of experience doing biochemistry research at my university. I have never been published, but I should have a very good letter of recommendation from the head of biochemistry undergraduate studies as well as someone from UNMC. I guess I just wanted to know where I stand, and whether or not I should apply to some top tier schools.

Top tier is "top tier" and it's really hard to get into those. Your internship WILL look very good, and if people from that can write your letters for you, even better. GPA dosen't mean all that much these days, especially with grade inflation being different at all schools. Nail the math part of the general GRE, and take one of the subject ones (they do offer one in CompSci, as well as other sciences). If you can get above 60th percentile on the subject test, you can get into pretty much anywhere but the top tier. Top tier really does require a combination of publishings, fantastic letters, a good interview, who your parents are, etc. I have friends at Ivys, but they all got in based on their families.

Apply to one or two top tier (look into UPenn, Carnagie Melon and Stanford), and then a bunch of mid-tiers, after researching which ones look like they have staff interested in stuff like you.

Again, PM me if you think I can help you in any other ways.