Would love to hear your opinions on this program

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a participant's interest in a double major program in biochemistry and genetics at Texas A&M University, as well as potential graduate studies in Genomics/Bioinformatics. Participants share their opinions on the program, its reputation, and the implications of pursuing graduate studies at the same institution as undergraduate studies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to double major in biochemistry and genetics at Texas A&M and seeks opinions on the program and courses offered.
  • Another participant notes that it is generally discouraged in the US to pursue a PhD at the same institution where one completed their undergraduate studies, suggesting that broadening professional connections is beneficial.
  • A different participant questions the reasoning behind this discouragement in the US, comparing it to practices in the UK where staying at the same institution for postgraduate work is more common.
  • Some participants discuss the potential advantages of attending different universities for graduate studies, such as increased collaboration opportunities.
  • There is a request for advice on questions to ask the undergraduate advisor regarding career paths of graduates from the program.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the value of pursuing a PhD at the same institution as undergraduate studies, with differing views on the implications and practices in the US versus the UK. The overall sentiment about the program itself appears to be neutral, with some participants indicating it seems fine while others express uncertainty.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the limitations of attending public Texas schools due to personal circumstances, which may influence their perspectives on the program's quality and options available.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering double majors in biochemistry and genetics, those interested in graduate studies in Genomics/Bioinformatics, and individuals exploring academic pathways in the sciences may find this discussion relevant.

end3r7
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I had always enjoyed the thought of being a geneticist, and I only recently found out about this program that would let me double major in both biochem and genetics (http://biochemistry.tamu.edu/?ch=ugrad&sec=welcome), and I'd like to hear your opinions on it, perhaps on the courses offered as well.

Now, before there is excess criticism, I know A&M is not exactly a top notch science school, but I'm limited to public texan schools, since I come from a family of four children (all going to college at around the same time period).

Anyhow, I was also thinking of doing my graduate studies on Genomics/Bioinformatic at A&M (http://gene.tamu.edu/) , and, opinions on that program would be most welcome as well (I'd go for the phD right after undergrad).

Thanks in advance.
 
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end3r7 said:
I had always enjoyed the thought of being a geneticist, and I only recently found out about this program that would let me double major in both biochem and genetics (http://biochemistry.tamu.edu/?ch=ugrad&sec=welcome), and I'd like to hear your opinions on it, perhaps on the courses offered as well.
Now, before there is excess criticism, I know A&M is not exactly a top notch science school, but I'm limited to public texan schools, since I come from a family of four children (all going to college at around the same time period).
Anyhow, I was also thinking of doing my graduate studies on Genomics/Bioinformatic at A&M (http://gene.tamu.edu/) , and, opinions on that program would be most welcome as well (I'd go for the phD right after undergrad).
Thanks in advance.


Well generally you are very much encouraged to do your PhD somewhere other than where you did your undergrad (in fact, you're discouraged from doing them at the same place). Other than that, seems fine.
 
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I always wondered why it was discouraged to do such a thing in the US? It's not uncommon here, and departments sometimes even try to keep you on for postgrad work in the UK.
 
Lonewolf said:
I always wondered why it was discouraged to do such a thing in the US? It's not uncommon here, and departments sometimes even try to keep you on for postgrad work in the UK.


I don't know. I can understand in France staying in the same place, since individual universities are more specialized there than they are here, but here I think the advantage is broadening your professional connections. Working at multiple universities gives you more people to colloborate with that you know personally (at least that is the best reason I can think of). There are also fewer universities in the UK, by virtue of the smaller population, so maybe the academic community is less geographically divided, so that is less of an issue? Maybe I'm reading way more into something that is really simple than I should? I don't know.
 
So, you would say that the program seems bad, okay, good?
 
end3r7 said:
So, you would say that the program seems bad, okay, good?

Seems fine to me.
 
Thanks. =)
 
Additional, I'm going to meet with the program's undergraduate advisor on friday, so I was wondering if there should be particular questions that I need to be asking...
 
end3r7 said:
Additional, I'm going to meet with the program's undergraduate advisor on friday, so I was wondering if there should be particular questions that I need to be asking...


ASk him what their students usually do after graduation. What career path do most of the students take?
 
  • #10
Anybody else can provide some insight on the program? =)
 

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