The MBBS-PhD Programme is an extended medical course where at the end of their course, the students graduate with both a MBBS and a doctorate degree. Here’s an article by one of the MBBS-PhD students:
ARGH! Why is EVERYONE else so hardworking?!? They don’t need to keep a scholarship! Ha… that’s one of the commonest grouse amongst the MBBS-PhD scholars. And that’s also why we fret a little more than others about our results.
But really, most of us do realize that it’s pretty pointless to stress ourselves out about results and have just decided to work as hard as we can, learn as much as possible and take things as they come. After all, it would be a REALLY long journey if things turn out well…
Personally, the additional stress notwithstanding, the programme is a really good learning opportunity. We have to complete either 2 six-week lab rotations or a UROP, as part of the requirements. I have done 2 lab rotations and both benefited me tremendously. Besides learning lots of really cool lab techniques (ever tried perfusing and operating on rats?), I got to go through the entire thought process of doing research and of course, inevitably had to learn how to deal with the failed experiments as well.:) As most people put it, research is a lot of RE-search. And of course, if your supervisor is a PRC, you get the rare opportunity of learning scientific names in CHINESE!
Besides the research experience, we also attend the Medical research seminars (found in the time-table but which most other students don’t attend. :P). They are presentations by people from research institutes and sometimes, NUS. After listening to them, you would realize that people can research about almost anything and everything on earth. And sometimes, they CAN be rather too complex for us to comprehend. But of course, the free lunches always help. :)
We’ve also had the honour of meeting some very distinguished researchers from the UK and US as well. They often provide very sound advice on fields of research and career paths. Listening to them talk is also very inspiring as they have TRUE passion for what they’re doing, you can really feel the excitement in their voices as they go on about their work. I guess that’s why distinguishes a mediocre researcher from a top-notch one.
Well, as for me, after completing my second lab rotation, it’s finally the HOLIDAYS!
Tan Yanni, M1 02/03