biomedicine/science 2015

[Shenz0r]

There's hardly any difference because they're almost the same degree. Having the MD gives you a slight advantage when you're choosing your internships for certain hospitals, but in terms of general employment, it won't increase your chances a significant degree.

From Russ' post:

What's going to look better on my CV; undergraduate MBBS, postgraduate MBBS or postgraduate MD?

There is generally no difference between the degrees at graduate or undergraduate level since they're all fundamentally the same thing. Their purpose is to produce a university trained doctor who can be moulded into a hospital trained doctor. There are some subtle differences between the degrees but they are negligible in comparison to the difference between being a medical student and not being a medical student.

Now since you absolutely have to know;

There has been a recent shift towards evidence based CV (EBCV) applications for internships. One category on these applications is generally "educational level", where you're awarded extra points for extra degrees you've studied. Having a Bachelor of X in addition to your postgraduate degree is obviously slightly beneficial here. The Melbourne MD is the (at the moment) only masters level one and has a compulsory research element in it, which is optional in other degrees. Published research is also beneficial in applications.
However, taking a year less to finish your medical degree may also confer employment benefits in the current market for grads. See why you shouldn't try to game the system now?

There's a doctor shortage and for the time being, regardless of whether you have MBBS or MD, you'll find a job.

[allstar]

can i sit the GAMSAT twice in two consecutive years? will they take the best score out of the two or will they take the latest score i did? during my undergrad degree? i can't seem to find the rules and regulations on the GEMSAS site?

[Shenz0r]

They take the best score. The GAMSAT scores are valid for 2 application cycles (so 2 years) Before you apply in your 3rd year, you can sit:

GAMSAT UK in September first year (not many do it in first year though).
GAMSAT AUS in March of second year
GAMSAT UK in September of second year
GAMSAT AUS March in third year

Then GEMSAS applications will be due on May.

So really you can sit 3-4 times before you apply. GAMSAT UK is pretty much the same thing as GAMSAT AUS except it just costs more ($440 for AUS compared to ~$550 for UK)

[excal]

@shenz0r: The issue is a bit more nuanced than a doctor shortage. There's a maldistribution of consultants (particularly rural v metro) and an OVERsupply of junior doctors.

Case in point, there are newly minted anaesthetists who are subsisting on locum work.

[allstar]

Thanks guys !

Is there a course at Melb Uni where I can qualify as a radiographer, sonographer, radiotherapist or pharmacy?

[ChickenCh0wM1en]

Thanks guys !

Is there a course at Melb Uni where I can qualify as a radiographer, sonographer, radiotherapist or pharmacy?

As far as I know, no.
You can do post grad pharm after your science/biomed degree though (assuming you get ~70% avg) you can do it at Monash (I think 2 years on top?)

[allstar]

what about qualifying as a sonographer from melb uni with a biomed degree under my belt?

[ChickenCh0wM1en]

what about qualifying as a sonographer from melb uni with a biomed degree under my belt?

From what I know, I don't think it is possible with just a B.Biomed
I think you'd have to transfer to La trobe/Monash for their Radiography programs

[Shenz0r]

With the Melbourne Model, the degrees are too generalised and chances are you will not be competitively employable with just an undergraduate degree. Having a Bachelor of Science or Biomedicine is not enough these days.  A major isn't enough to "qualify" you, you actually need to do a more specific degree (which often means postgraduate if you're going to Melbourne).

[alondouek]

Also keep in mind the notable effect that (relevant) extracurricular activities has on your employability. I know several people who graduated with a BBiomedSc (Hons) or a BSc (Hons) and were able to begin early-career research or forms of clinical practice (e.g. clin epidemiology, infectious disease pathology etc. etc.) at various institutions due to the networking and Summer/Winter research they did at undergraduates (admittedly from Monash, but I doubt there's too much difference in employability between Monash and UoM undergrad degrees).

It's probably also relevant to note that most of these people went on to do (or are doing) a Masters, PhD or MD, but it didn't preclude them from getting work in the first place.


tl;dr It's not just your degree that gets you a job. Talk to people and do stuff in your field as an undergrad and you'll more than likely give yourself an edge later down the track.

[simpak]

Okay they really need to start teaching you in school that you should expect to be at university for more than 3 years.

[Russ]

It depends on what your goals are. If you want a job then you can spend three years at university and come out professionally accredited as a medical imaging technician (just not at the University of Melbourne).

[mahler004]

Also keep in mind the notable effect that (relevant) extracurricular activities has on your employability...

tl;dr It's not just your degree that gets you a job. Talk to people and do stuff in your field as an undergrad and you'll more than likely give yourself an edge later down the track.

I wouldn't just say relevant extracurriculars - being president of a club and keeping a good GPA reflects better on someone as opposed to someone who just keeps a good GPA. Even having a part time job is important as a bit of work experience (although don't work 30 hours a week and let it get in the way of uni, etc, etc.)

But yeah, there's plenty of relevant stuff that you can do - both paid and unpaid. Keep an eye out for volunteering in relevant things (e.g. if you want to be a doctor, volunteer at the ambulance service, if you want to be a teacher, do one of the casual TA gigs,) and paid work (which can be a bit harder to find and get.) I know a couple of people who've gotten full-time jobs out of basic lab assistant jobs they did as an undergrad.

Okay they really need to start teaching you in school that you should expect to be at university for more than 3 years.

Literally this. Doubly so if you want to do anything research or health science related.