Expert: ScienceAdviser - 6/24/2008

Question
Hi,

I currently have a BS general science, and am going to persue a PhD so that I can do research.  Since I am not in a position to decide exactly what kind of research I want to do (although I know I want to do something related to medicine... perhaps drug metabolism research, epidemiology, etc.) is there a Master's program I can persue that will allow me a lot of freedom to persue a PhD when I finally narrow my interests enough to make a decision?  Or do I need to decide on a specific career before I apply to a Master's program?


-Amanda

Answer
Hi there,
Thanks for contacting me. As long as I know, you have to have a specific area in mind to apply for your master's degree especially in the science area. The reason is that when you are in mater's degree, you do some research, so you have to be more specific.
The area that you have in mind is very good area. I would suggest going to biochemistry and molecular biology or molecular pharmacology area. Since you like drug metabolism, etc, I would suggest molecular pharmacology which can give you even a better opportunity if you want to join a pharmaceutical or biotech company.
I agree that if you are not sure even about going to Ph.D, doing a master's really help you to know if you like it or not. Even what you can do is before applying to master's degree, you can take some time off and work in a lab related to that area as a lab tech to get involved with research and see for yourself even if you really like to do that. Then, go to master's. Some schools even let you take classes to ward your master's degree if you are an employee there and pay for big portion of your tution. That means, you can work as a lab tech and meanwhile take master's classes. The work you do in the lab goes toward your master's research (in this case, you have to be involved in a specific project as a lab tech).
However, it is up to you to go either way.

Good luck to you, and let me know if you have any more questions.