From: Brett Paatsch (bpaatsch@bigpond.net.au)
Date: Fri Aug 22 2003 - 00:17:58 MDT
Emlyn O'regan writes:
> About this time last year I was yacking on about wanting
> to go back to uni to do a degree of in molecular biology,
> biotechnology, or anything else that will put me on the
> technical track toward being involved (eventually) in
> manipulation of dna and increasing control of the
> eukaryotic cell, and eventually in the vicinity of molecular
> nanotech (as it begins to appear, assuming that it does.
>
> Last year I decided not to do it (mainly for reasons of
> finances & overcommitment in other areas of my life),
> but this year I'm really going to start. I'm contrained by
> work to distance delivery, and to doing it part time.
>
> I was considering another undergrad science degree,
> but then ran across this. I'd like the opinion of
> knowledgable people from the field; what do you think
> of this degree? Does it look like I could do serious
> work in the biotech based on it, or is it more for becoming
> involved in policy/management in related areas?
>
> Graduate Diploma in the Biotechnologies of Life, from
> Monash University:
> http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/offcampus/oc0190.htm
>
> If people have alternative suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
> Bear in mind I'm in Oz (in Adelaide), I work full time, I have
> a science degree (computer science and some maths).
>
Really depends what you want to do. There is a shortage of
bioinformatics skills around that is unlikely to go away soon.
Most bioinformaticists are currently life science degree holders
that have taught themselves to be IT savvy. Its far less common
to go the other way, but obviously not impossible if one has the
interest.
Distance education puts limits on the sort of labwork you could
do.
But really imo the biggest factor is not a particular course (if your
willing to pay and the one you nominated is full fees) there will
not be a shortage of opportunities for you to learn. Its a case
of tailoring what outcome you want.
I know Alan Trouson (mentioned as involved in setting up the
course) and have contacts involved in post grad biotech course
setting up at Melbourne Uni and RMIT. I'm happy to give you
some pointers if you want offlist as the short answer to your
question is "it depends".
Regards,
Brett
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