Nowhere in the world is the biotechnology industry more developed than in the United States: huge companies, research leaders at leading universities, and significant industry funding are the explanation for this.
Many related fields, biology, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, provide opportunities for development both in the academic field and in industry, and only a Bachelor of Science degree can be enough to start work. For other possible levels of education, Master of Engineering, Master of Science, Ph.D, Sc.D. can be obtained. It is not necessary to write a thesis for Master of Engineering, although the requirements for obtaining a degree are mainly different between universities. Funding for the training (mainly Ph.D or Sc.D) is either due to the work of the Research Assistant – research in the group of the supervisor or Teaching Assistant – to help in teaching the subject.
For admission to a master’s or doctoral program in biological sciences, the requirements are fairly standard – essays, letters of recommendation, resumes, diplomas and transcripts, results of language tests. At the same time, the GRE test is not a requirement at many universities (note!). Considerable attention is paid to experience and initiative in research.
In general, there are many advantages of biology education in the USA, including: the opportunity to study with famous professors, CEOs of pharmaceutical corporations, doctors; have the freedom to attend seminars and choose subjects. Considerable attention is paid to research – you can (and should) learn how to generate ideas, implement them, write grants, make posters and learn how to present projects to the scientific community. The USA offers ideal conditions for research – this is the material base, and ease of access to equipment, materials and the like. For example, you can collaborate with hospitals, which also have research laboratories and receive materials (cells) for research or work with rare diseases. Also, there are environments where agents (viruses, etc.) of high hazard levels (for example, Zika virus, rabies, etc.) can be investigated. The physical proximity of universities and companies also influences the quality of education and student opportunities – for example, Harvard, MIT and 250 biotechnology companies are located in Cambridge (Massachusetts), and 25 of them are located in Kendall Square (Cambridge, Massachusetts), in only one square mile.
In general, during the period of study it seems as if a second wind is opening – immersion in the abyss of publications, experiments, wonderful lectures and communication with other students and professors. After graduation, eyes run wide because of the range of possibilities: to study cell structures or diseases, develop and test new drugs or therapies, teach, take the path of MD / Ph.D., When you can be a medical practitioner.
