first med physics then medicine

**Larry** · 12-04-2007, 02:18 PM

Hi everyone, I have applied for physics with medical physics and got really good offers (I will probably apply for GE in medicine after that). Now, I have to choose between Surrey and Leeds (these are the best (in the physics rankings) that have this kind of programs) for the firm choice and the insurance one. Here’s the dilemma;
Leeds; it’s a 4 years Mphys course with the last year in the med school doing medical imagining and radiotherapy modules and during the first 3 there are anatomy and physiology modules as well as biology (and of course lots of physics and mathematics)
Surrey; again 4 years but with a placement year either in a hospital or a research centre. There are not so many biology modules and no anatomy.

The question is …. What is more important to have as a GE applicant? Work experience or further knowledge?

Thanks in advance

**mussed** · 12-04-2007, 04:24 PM

Work experience. Depends on the place what they want for your degree... research a couple, doing biology etc may widen your options but no idea what the situation will be in 2011! Why not just apply for medicine and intercollate - or do you not have the grades?

**Dick Cheney** · 12-04-2007, 04:36 PM

Healthcare experience is more important than medical knowledge. So, I would say a 1 year hospital placement would stand you in good stead. You need something that gives you a good insight into healthcare, the work of a doctor and allied disciplines. Talk to Leeds and Surrey - get more details on the sandwich year and what you will actually be doing and where - don't let them be vague. You could end up in a back room doing Monte Carlo simulations with absolutely no human contact. When you have this info, talk to medical schools and ask what they think.

Physics with medical physics (4 yr) is new - does that integrate with the clinical scientist training scheme for medical physics (which I did)?

**Larry** · 12-04-2007, 07:26 PM

Actually I am planning to study physics since when I was 4or 5 years old!! The mysteries of nature used to impress me the most, last year, I discovered (or realised) that the human body is actually a really complicated “machine” and there’s still plenty of research to be done. At this point I actually see medicine and diseases like puzzles to solve, so I don’t think I’m ready to deal with the patients, anyway I want first to give my best in physics.

Originally Posted by Dick Cheney

Physics with medical physics (4 yr) is new - does that integrate with the clinical scientist training scheme for medical physics (which I did)?

I think is an additional year after the Leeds Mphys but I am not sure about that.

Are there any summer programs in the hospitals where I could work during my studies?

**Dick Cheney** · 12-04-2007, 08:43 PM

How about getting registered as a Health Care Assistant? They are normally short staffed and you can be flexible with working hours - earn a bit of extra cash during the holidays. You will get lots of experience wiping bums and stuff.

If you are certain that you want to do medicine after physics, why not go for a 3 year degree course? Having the medical physics speciality won't in itself help you get into a degree course for medicine. Spending the extra year doing hospital work and canoing down the Orinoco river would get you more brownie points.

**quantum_iris** · 27-08-2008, 03:05 PM

I am currently studying physics, and I'll end up with an MPhys (hopefully doing my research project in something biophysics based) when I've finished.
I've always been interested in science, and when I was about 15 I made the decision between physics and medicine. Seeing as I've been leaning more and more towards bio- and medical physics during my degree, I'm not sure that I made the right one.
My decision was partly based on being quite shy at school, and I didn't feel like I'd be able to deal with patients. However, I feel I've really grown during my degree (wow that sounds cliched) and I think that I'd at least have the confidence to try now.

Larry - I also see medicine and disease as puzzles, but I want to have contact with patients too, as they're an important part of the puzzle and human contact is important in medicine (just my opinion). I've had a few years of 'pure problem solving' in my physics degree and it's making me feel very isolated - medicine would give me an opportunity to indulge my love of problems (and applying science) and engage with people to do something to help.
I'm still trying to come to a decision about whether I'm cut out for a career in physics, or whether I should start the process of applying for GE medicine. My only problem being that it'll be very definitely an "experimental physics" degree, even if I have done options in bio- and medical physics.

Sorry if that wasn't much help, but I at least feel a little better for getting it off my chest.