2 answers
Wayne
Student
Buford, Georgia
1
Question
Asked
1304 views
Question about graduate school to be a molecular biologist?
Why hello! My name is Wayne, and I am a current freshman biology major at KSU who is applying to transfer to Emory next year for the Fall 2025 term. I want to be a molecular biologist in the future working for a renowned government health/science organization like the CDC or EPA, and I would just like to ask about what good graduate schools I can attend if I want to pursue a master's degree in biology or a related field?
2 answers
Mary Jane Shroyer
Director of Health Professions Career Community
119
Answers
Grinnell, Iowa
Updated
Mary Jane’s Answer
Hi Wayne,
For graduate school, students typically consider the specific projects or questions they are interested in and then look for graduate programs or laboratories within programs that are doing that work. For instance, if you were interested in the molecular genetics of tuberculosis, you would want to be at a graduate school with at least one professor who studies the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. If you have more general interests by the time you graduate, like antibiotic resistance or gene regulation, then you'd want to look for programs with several people working in that area so that you can find a project you're excited about in a lab where you feel comfortable. The point being, that for graduate school, it's much less about what specific school you should look for and more about where the science that you are excited to be involved in is being done.
As you complete your undergraduate degree, pay attention to the questions, problems, and mechanisms you find the most fascinating. Keep track of the authors publishing the journal articles you find the most exciting -- Where do those folks work? Where did they train? If you identify a specific niche, ask your professors where in the country studies about that topic are most often being done. At Emory, take advantage of the CDC being right next door and look for opportunities to attend talks or events open to undergrads so you can hear about the types of projects being done and the skills and degrees needed to be an attractive candidate for employment there. You might even be able to do some informational interviews with CDC scientists and look for summer research opportunities or mentoring programs that will allow you to plan for the next phase of your training.
For graduate school, students typically consider the specific projects or questions they are interested in and then look for graduate programs or laboratories within programs that are doing that work. For instance, if you were interested in the molecular genetics of tuberculosis, you would want to be at a graduate school with at least one professor who studies the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. If you have more general interests by the time you graduate, like antibiotic resistance or gene regulation, then you'd want to look for programs with several people working in that area so that you can find a project you're excited about in a lab where you feel comfortable. The point being, that for graduate school, it's much less about what specific school you should look for and more about where the science that you are excited to be involved in is being done.
As you complete your undergraduate degree, pay attention to the questions, problems, and mechanisms you find the most fascinating. Keep track of the authors publishing the journal articles you find the most exciting -- Where do those folks work? Where did they train? If you identify a specific niche, ask your professors where in the country studies about that topic are most often being done. At Emory, take advantage of the CDC being right next door and look for opportunities to attend talks or events open to undergrads so you can hear about the types of projects being done and the skills and degrees needed to be an attractive candidate for employment there. You might even be able to do some informational interviews with CDC scientists and look for summer research opportunities or mentoring programs that will allow you to plan for the next phase of your training.
Missy Missy
Scientist
12
Answers
Carlsbad, California
Updated
Missy’s Answer
There's a world of exceptional graduate schools out there for biology majors, just waiting for you to explore. Your choice can be influenced by the state you're drawn to. For instance, New England is home to some truly remarkable institutions like Northeastern, Brown University, Umass Amherst, Boston University, Boston College, Columbia, Harvard, and Yale. But don't limit yourself - there's a whole country out there! Schools like Stanford and Northwestern, among many others, are equally impressive and offer excellent programs. As you continue your journey at Emory, remember to embrace every learning opportunity. Good luck and remember, the future is bright!
Delete Comment
Flag Comment