Hello all,
I'm thinking about going back to school to (eventually) get a PhD in
bioinformatics. My original degree was in a non-technical field (business
administration) so I've got quite a lot of makeup work to do before I can
consider applying to grad school. The way that I look at it, I have three
options I could follow before I apply:
1. Take only the standard courses necessary for entrance into a graduate
bioinformatics program.
2. Get a (second) undergraduate degree in molecular biology.
3. Get a (second) undergraduate degree in molecular biology and take the
extra year of courses required for a masters in molecular biology.
(Note: I do plan on taking several extra courses in mathematics and
computer science, in any case. But I can take more of them if I don't have
to worry about filling (Lib Arts&Sci) requirements for the 2nd degree.)
So, which of these options would give me the best chance at getting into a
good graduate program? Or are they all pretty much on par? Also, how
difficult is it to get into a bioinformatics program? I've read that many
universities are having a hard time keeping professors in the field - that
many are being lured away by the private sector. Has this caused it to be
significantly more difficult to be admitted to a bioinformatics program than
to a regular molecular biology program?
Any tips/guidance are appreciated!
Thanks,
Kenneth
