Student profiles

Since leaving Exeter I have been working in cancer research at the Institute of Cell and Molecular Science in Whitechapel filling in the year between uni and PhD. I have found that it has been extremely useful having some time working in a lab, learning all the techniques and getting up to date with all the new developments in the area and deciding what to do next. I am working in the Colorectal Cancer Genetics Group with projects using transgenic mice, plasmids and cell lines to try and understand some of the genes involved in the relatively unexposed and little discussed topic of colon and rectal cancer compared to other cancers. During my time in the lab, I have decided to carry on in this field and I am applying to start a PhD next September with Cancer Research UK, near Holborn, London. It will be financed by CRUK and will take between 3 and 4 years. Anyone wondering whether or not to continue in science I would advise and encourage trying it out, even for a few days. I have found that it can be fun, the people are fascinating and the science is continuously changing as new discoveries are made. When I was looking for work, I did not think there are many places in London and around the country that practice science but there are definitely more than I first thought. Have a look and see... I was surprised at the number and variety of available jobs that caught my eye.
Alex Parker, BSc Biological Sciences, currently working in Colorectal Cancer Genetics Group, Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Whitechapel

I found spending my final year at the Cornwall Campus near the beautiful town of Falmouth an excellent experience both in and outside of the lecture theatre. The beautiful coastal lines of Cornwall are a wonderful place to relax after a hard day of lecturing! This prepared me for a vocational MSc in Forensic Science at Kings College London. I found the individual tutoring I received in Cornwall invaluably improved my ability to review scientific literature and present scientific studies to others. This has had a great effect on my course work grades in my Masters when presenting expert witness statements in courtroom scenarios.
Dave Orr, first job: Forensic analysis for drugs in sports for the Asian Games; second job: Forensic consultant handling Metropolitan Police case work

I was initially attracted to studying Biological Sciences at Exeter due to the wide range of modules on offer, with the ability to specialise in particular subjects in the second and third years. I found the teaching at Exeter to be excellent, with small group tutorials, group practicals and data handling exercises all aiding in the understanding of critical points of the course. Furthermore, the course also taught how scientific techniques were applied in order to aid in our understanding of particular fields. After specialising in genetics and the application of molecular biology in the study of cell signalling, I decided to continue my studies at postgraduate level working on the regulation of protein synthesis in response to cell stress. Having recently completed my PhD, I am now working as a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Cambridge, working on the unusual mechanisms of protein synthesis utilised by viruses in order to evade host cell defence mechanisms.
Mike Powell, BSc Biological Sciences, first job: Postdoctoral research associate at the University of Cambridge

My Biological Sciences degree equipped me with a number of key skills and experiences that have significantly aided my development and progression into graduate employment. My chosen profession has not followed the conventional route one might expect from a biology graduate; last January I accepted a job as a ‘Buyer assistant’ for Mothercare and began a career in interior design. The transferable skills I developed at Exeter later proved invaluable when I was expected to present and problem solve in interviews and in my day to day job. It became clear that I had made the right decision in following a biological science degree as, although not a normal route into a buying career, I had followed my heart into a degree discipline that I was interested in without limiting my career options in the future.
Lauren Humphreys, BSc Biological Sciences, first job: Buyer assistant for Mothercare

I found my time in Biosciences intellectually stimulating whilst at the same time it  provided me with the equally valuable skills of self directed learning, research, and presentation techniques, invaluable and necessary qualities irrespective of your future career path. One of the strengths of the course is the breadth of knowledge that one can acquire, we would be grappling with the theories of evolutionary genetics one day and the next we were in a national park in Russia carrying out ecology research! Location plays a big part on being a student at Exeter, on your doorstep you have all the water sports you could possibly want for, beautiful coastline, and the moors are only a short drive away. After Exeter I studied for a postgrad medical degree and I now find myself training to be a GP/Anaesthetist in rural Canada, allowing me the opportunity to combine science, people, and flying - all the things I enjoy. Did Exeter help me? Exeter provided me with a foundation of skills, knowledge and attitude to learning that have been essential with the career path I followed, and just as importantly it was lots of fun! I have fond memories of working hard and playing hard as an undergrad in Biosciences.
Paul Wild, first job: Flying Doctor, Canada

I studied Biological and Medicinal Chemistry as a mature student at Exeter, a pleasant city in which to live and study and the University has a crèche on campus. The degree is a balanced combination of molecular biology, biochemistry and chemistry which is a good spring board for many careers. A high proportion of students go on to do a PhD after graduating from this undergraduate degree, which is what I did. I now work at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, where I have had the opportunity to become involved in developing the highly innovative curriculum as well as teaching biomedical science. I have furthered my professional development by completing a Diploma in Clinical Education and I research and publish in the field of medical education.
Jane McHarg, BSc Biological and Medicinal Chemistry, first job: Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry

Having just graduated from Exeter with a 1st Class degree in Biological Sciences, I can honestly say I would highly recommend Exeter to any prospective student. I thoroughly enjoyed both the degree and the social life, and found that Exeter provided a good balance of both of these. I found the Biosciences degree itself to be an excellent learning experience, and even though I am not starting a biological career at present it has definitely enhanced my skills in many different areas, not just scientifically. The first year of my degree was a broad look at a variety of different areas of biology, and I was then able to choose second and third year modules from the variety offered. My second and third years were based largely around Microbiology because I found this the most interesting, and the laboratory work for these modules was particularly new and interesting. I even had the chance to go on a field course to the Bahamas at the end of my second year, which involved lots of snorkelling around coral reefs - amazing! Finally, although the third year research project was hard work, I definitely enjoyed being responsible for my own time and working independently in a laboratory. I would recommend this degree to anyone who has an interest in biology, even if you are not planning on pursuing a career in science. Having finished my degree in June 2008, I applied to the University’s 2-year Graduate Management Scheme, which trains graduates in General Management for Higher Education. I successfully passed the selection process and start work at the end of August 2008. I’m really looking forward to training in management, and the fact that I can stay at the university will be a bonus!
Helen Elks, BSc Biological Sciences, now studying: Graduate Management Scheme, University of Exeter

Having graduated with a degree in Biosciences from Exeter in 2007 I am now at Warwick University studying Medicine. It is an accelerated, four year, graduate-only course for those who have a previous degree in biological or natural sciences. Being accelerated, the course is very intensive but great fun and we even had experience of patient contact within the first 2 weeks. I had a fantastic time in Exeter and it was through my studies there that I came to the decision to go into Medicine and become a Doctor.
Imogen Foster, BSc Biological Sciences, now studying: Medicine, Warwick University

I don't think there can be a better place in the UK than Exeter to study Biology, with its beautiful surroundings and with the Cornwall campus not being very far away, we can't think of a better place to be. The city itself is very quaint, with the cathedral in the centre of the city. But also the nightlife offers plenty of restaurants, pubs and clubs. We have both already spent four years in Exeter after completing our BSc Biological Science degrees. The degree was great and the modules covered a diverse range of biological topics from marine biology where you have great opportunities to go on field trips to molecular biology and biotechnology. We both had very different interests with respect to the course and Exeter accommodates all aspects of biology and made it possible for us focus on the modules that interested us most. The degree allows you to start with a broad range of modules and then when you get to the third year you get to choose which modules are of most interest to you. The third year project allows you to gain experience in a laboratory and develop your research skills, we both enjoyed this part of our degree immensely. For us this is a wonderful opportunity to get close to the cutting-edge, especially with the experience and knowledge of the staff here. They are always friendly and approachable and we were impressed by their keenness to engage with students. It was from this project and the atmosphere Exeter provides that inspired us to apply for PhDs in biosciences.
Lauren Ryder and Elise Lambeth, BSc Biological Sciences, currently studying: PhD Molecular Genetics