Why Pursue a Ph.D.
Most people who pursue a Ph.D. degree enjoy a good mystery. They are people who are curious about the world and are driven to find answers to questions that intrigue them. Everyone likes to have answers, but what sets scientists apart is the appeal of the discovery process... finding the path to the answer is a lure in and of itself.
The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at BCM is designed to be an exciting training ground for those who are interested in honing their problem-solving skills. By working closely with faculty, students learn how to formulate scientific hypotheses, design and carry out experiments to test them, and then communicate these results to the scientific community.
Great Career Options
One of the great things about earning a Ph.D. is that these skills can be applied in a variety of careers:
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Conducting research in academic settings
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Conducting research in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
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Teaching
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Using your expertise as a scientist in government agencies such as the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and the Environmental Protection Agency
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Applying your scientific knowledge in fields such as intellectual/patent law, law enforcement, business, and journalism
Great Perks
The wide range of career options is one of many perks available to those with a Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences. Perhaps most important is that the vast majority of Ph.D.s enjoy what they do. In fact, biologists are ranked as having the highest job satisfaction. Other benefits include working with other accomplished people in the scientific community, collaborating with others toward a common goal, and the opportunity to travel throughout the country and around the world.