> > Hi, I am 16 years old and about to start my A Levels. I know it is a
> > bit early to be asking such questions but - In the microbiology
> > industries, is it considered better to have a Degree from Cambridge
> > (Natural Sciences faculty) or one from Waraick (I have been told has
> > the best microbiology faculty in the Country) ? Bob
>> >
For B.Sc., I don't think it makes much difference in the long run. There
are certain employers discriminating (reportedly) against graduates from
certain universities because of the perceived low quality of their
programs, but these do not include the "traditional" unis. Warwick (I did
my PhD there, so maybe I'm biased) has a good molecular biology course,
and pretty good course structure. Plus it has an extremely comprehensive
set of skills in the faculty, from pure cell biology through to
biotransformations and environmental microbiology. The campus is pretty
nice, being on a green belt site, plus accomodation in Coventry or
Leamington Spa is probably cheaper than Cambridge. Personally, I think
you should find a course which is pretty well rounded and up to date
(there are dozens of places up and down the country offering perfectly
good microbiology courses) and then look at where it is; ask yourself do
you want to live there for 3 or 4 years. I did my B.Sc. at Strathclyde
Uni in Glasgow, which was fine. Maybe at P/graduate level, you may be a
bit more discriminating about where you go, who you work for and
facilities, but right now for you thats a fair way off yet, and your
priorities will change.
Dr. Andy Thompson, PhD
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Dauphin Island
Alabama, 36528
USA
