Any science nerds on here? Degree related.

[Donald]

I'm open to other things depending on how whatever course I get into goes, I've looked at the modules offered and there's a fair bit of overlap. If I go with the Bio/Medicinal Chemistry one I have the choice after year two of switching from BSc to MChem with just an extra year on the end, the first year modules are the same for each as well which is sort of reassuring I guess.

It's the small stuff that interests me most. Learnt today about bed bugs and flatworms. Male bed bugs don't bother with a vagina, they just stab through the exoskeleton of the female and get their sperm in that way. Brutal. I'm sure you know some freaky stuff about zooplankton.

Also, anyone that wants to silence the local Jehovahs when they start going on about how it's impossible that the eye could have evolved, I'm your man for the lowdown.

Is this the whole irreducible complexity thing. It's easy to get carried away I guess, but if they're going to say there's no way this eye could have formed, why not go further and talk about how proteins etc. form. What, god put each individual atom with another and stuff? Hmm!

no mate, going to have a year off it, long complicated story, basically if i do it next year i should be able to wangle my leave so i can do it full time, 2 days a week. fingers crossed anyways

Seems like a better way to do it possibly, at least you'll be able to concentrate fully on what you're doing. Maybe you'll finally get one of your Preludes on the road too.

[cantaffordannsx]

As for the whole debt thing, I still don't get what all these protesters are whining about. If you're jobby at what you do it's a debt you're unlikely to pay off, and if you're smart then you'll be earning enough money that it won't matter.

It's good to see someone who isn't swept away with the negative press on this one. The repayments are low and many students will never notice the effect - either because they'll never pay it off or because they'll be earning enogh anyway.

As to the engineering discussion: I've hired graduates who've done loads of theory, and I've hired those who did sandwich courses. The latter win every time.

You beat me to it. I'm a biotech grad having done a sandwich year. Def helped me with job. I wouldnt get too hung up on the exact discipline. A pure subject is arguably better for a second degree whereas an applied subject with a sandwich year makes you more employable. Another important point is the nature of the degree. I did a very modular degree so I had lots of control of my subject, I recommend this route if you're not sure, it also makes it easier to tailor your application letter. I went on to do a phd then worked for a small start up for a year, then a multinational for 4 years making GM wheat/potatoes for a big company now 10+ years in FMCG away from bench (patent and now regulatory). Tech knowledge is important foundation (i would say keep it broad at first) but I would say that organisational / people skills and the right attitude are more valuable if harder to demonstrate on paper.

[Donald]

Another update on this!