User:Supasaiyan

Biomedical science at victoria university

A critique of the Research/clinical stream

So what about ther research/clinical stream?

Finally, out of all the streams offered in biomed we come to a a stream that is its main focus.

Content:

The problems: Lack of mathematical teachings in relation to scientific concepts. The mathematics taught here are not so good. To be a clinical researcher a student must be astute in both mathematical and communication fields. Mathematics taught is not up to standard.e.g Melbourne uni has mathematics 1 and 2 in its 1st year, so students understand the mathematical concepts in relation to science. This is due to the failure of foundations in biomed to adequetly teach this. Also another problem is the course structure in the first year does not allow u to pick up the elective mathematics so easily. U have foundation in biomed, anatomy, physiology and to choose between chem and mathematics. Most people go with chem.Its not until the second year that u can pick up mathematics, but second year electives are more important in relation to research than mathematics at this time. A specialized maths for researchers subject should be taught at 1st semster in replacement of anatomy. Anatomy is not as important right now! However, the communications taught is sufficient. In fact its above standards. With communications virtually instilled in most subjects -patho,phys,wellness etc

A lack of electives available that whole heartedly focusses on doing research. Advance experimetal techniques and project is good but more would be ideal. At least offer more subjects as a choice in the third year. What is sufficient is the lab techniques in what u learn in chem cardio, phys, immuno and others. Thus i won't be bad mouthing the content as it is quite typical for a science degree. Also worth noting is that it has a decent amount of practicals ratio to the subjects it teaches.

Although there are no massive problems with the content of the course in research as in the other streams, what worries most is the fierce competition it faces. As stated in biomed critique, there are alot of unis that offer a general science degree. Established unis such as Melbourne Monash which are rated the top in science faculty, and their facilaties are better than vut e.g Monash-has csiro field. Also, Vut is not an established or renowned uni for science, which makes it alot harder for companies to hear about VUT science.

Biomedical science and general science is hugely popular. General science degree has over 400 students enrolled each year at melbourne and monash.Melbourne uni is renowned for science, it is rated the top uni in australia and comes in at no.19 in the world. Competition from specialized sources are also a huge problem. Biotechnology is a main one. This is where the students are well educated in practicals. If u wanto become an astute clinical researcher then biotechnology is the way to go.

The problem with doing biomedical science and becoming a clinical astute researcher, is in its name. Lets compare biotechnology and biomed.

Biotech is biology and its relationship with TECHNOLOGY

Biomed is biology and its relationship with MEDICINE

From Deducting the two definitions its clear that if you want to be an asute clinical researcher than biotechnology is the better degree. As technology refers to the more practical and laboratory perspective, and in the degree there is alot of emphasis on this field. Whereas biomed takes a more medical approach rather than technological and pragmatic. Again biotech is more specialized than biomed in the field. Which makes biomed look second rate. As every1 already knows, Australia spending millions of dollars in the field of biotechnology and research. Again with the name, it states biotech, not biomed.

Here are the degrees that offer a similar course in Melbourne

1.Biotechnology deakin geelong

2.Biological and chemical science-Deakin Geelong

3. Science Deakin geelong

4.Biological science deakin burwood

5.Biomedical Science _ deakin burwood

6. Box hill degree in biotechnology and innovation (new)

7.Biological sciences Latrobe albury wodonga

8.Science Latrobe albury wodonga

9.Science Latrobe Bendigo

10.Science latrobe bundoora

11.Biological science Latrobe bundoora

12.Science latrobe mildura

13.Medical science latrobe mildura

14.Biotechnology and cell biology Latrobe bundoora

15.Medical science-latrobe bundoora

16.Science monash Clayton

17.Science scholar program Monash Clayton

18.Biomedical science Monash Clayton

19.Biotechnology monash gippsland

20.Science Monash gippsland

21.Medical laboratory science RMIT Bundoora

22.Biomedical science/biotechnology (has alot of streams) Rmit Bundoora

23.Applied science Rmit CITY

24.Engineering-Chemical/biology and biotechnology Rmit City/bundoora

25.Biomedical science And/or Biomed enginering Swinburne hawthorn

26.Biotechnology/biochemistry swinburne hawthorn

27.Engineering-biotechnology Swinburne hawthorn

28.Biomedical science melbourne parkville

29.Science melbourne uni parkville

30.Biotchnology vut werribee

Laboratory Technology certificate 4 and diploma- Biological, environmental, pathology etc Various tafes-refer to VTAC guide for more information.

Well there is most of them that relates to biology or medicine. And this does not include the chemistry courses (which also leads to research). That is Melbourne alone, just try and think of other unis around Australia. I did not include the double degree with other unrelated topics e.g science/psychology because they are not specalized enough. Students end up doing only ½ -3/4 of each degree, which is by definitition too general. Thus u dont get the full focus on the topic.

Stats analysis


 * All of swinburne courses have IBL years or claims to anyway.


 * 1,6,13,14,15,19,21,22,26 and 30 are highly specific on lab work.


 * 22 and 28 have professional bodies/unions to join in some of its streams.


 * 13,15 and 21 are more medically based than biomed


 * 10, 18,22,25,28 are biomed degrees


 * 1,6,14,19,26 and 30 are biotechnology degrees

Since there is so much competition, it puts pressure on the students to get good marks. At rmit Bundoora there is Medical laboratory sciennce, again which is more specialized, they also have a work place continuim for it. The truth is, biomed faces alot of stiff competition. There are 6 degrees in biomed (including VU). Now im not saying this will undermine ur chances of ever getting a job in research, but it does place you down the bottom of the ladder. And position is a key point, when looking for a job. Nobody wants to lag behind others. In competition, ppl will do anything to get a head start. Unfortunately, all biomed streams are second rate, which means employers will choose others before biomed students. This places more emphasis on LUCK, to find a job. Ideally, this shouldn’t be the case. It should be based more on merit and educational qualifications which leads to securing a job.

What about lab technician? yes you can get a job immediately upon completion. However various TAFE courses teach this in a more specialized fashion, and there are quite a few of them offered. Refer to VTAC guide for more info as there located at different TAFEs. This is kinda like the sales rep, being overqualified for a particular job. Its not necessary.

I did a search for scientist/researcher on career 1 and there are not many jobs advertised. Now i know that only a fraction is advertized and the majority is taken up by links and By word of mouth etc, but when measuring the advertising department, it doesn’t look good for students whom don’t have connections with the industry.

Also, worth noting is that they generally pay poorly. My dad is a microbiologist (graduated with science at monash) and is a senior scientist. He gets payed $70,000 now (after 20 years being there). $47,000 is after tax! And it isn’t the easiest of work.

Overall, the biomed degree is set up to specialize in the research/clinical aspects. Its the heart and soul of the degree. The other main purpose is being a pre medical course. However, as shown above, the uni offers nothing that distinguishes itself from other unis, is second class to other more specialized degrees, faces enormous competition from other unis, needs fine tuning in the mathematics department, and is not highly regarded/renowned in the science faculty. All of which contributes to the lack of credibility that students face when asking companies for a job. This makes students feel like “small fish in big ponds”. Having a normal/average degree (content) in science is not gonna enhance employment opportunities. When an employer asks why should i hire you? Answer: There are 30 other degrees out there and i’m just your typical scientist. Its not going to make a real great impression.

My rating for research as far as content is concerned-provided u take the stream set

5.5/10 (average-decent) -more emphasis on anatomy and physiology (medical approach) rather than pure research and laboratory technology procedures.

Rating for taking biomed at vut to primarily become a research assistant 2.5/10 (terrible-poor) –There are just better ways of doing this