Are you speaking about bioinformatics as in computational biology specific to genetics and genomics or biostatistics as in analyzing data to improve health outcomes? I’m a geneticist and I’ve never heard someone define bioinformatics this way. What you’re describing sounds more like biostatistics or health informatics. I highly recommend that if someone is not interested in or passionate about genetics and genomics they do not pursue bioinformatics. They would be better served and in a less niche field if they did biostatistics instead and they would get all the benefits you speak of in this video.
Omg I just came across your channel! And You are gorgeous! I actually got in MS in Bioinformatics. I graduated as a psych premed 4+ years ago with a bad GPA like below a 2.9. I also came from a very underprivileged background and that affected my education a lot. So in the past 4+ years of me doing a DIY post bacc at a local CC, and knowing that even if I did another 10 years of DIY I would never get a 3.0 due to the credits I had, I eventually started to look in to Masters programs. It was between an SMP, MPH and I was recommended to do bioinformatics by a local professor in my CC. I thought about my economic situation and I knew that I needed a degree that gave me the best chances of a getting a job should I fail at getting in medical school. So the SMP was a bust for me. I looked at both MPH and Bioinformatics, and while I loved the idea of MPH since it's so broad and community centered, something I absolutely loooooveee, but because it is so broad and community centered the job market is not something my finances would agree too. So I ended up choosing Bioinformatics. And Girrrlll let me tell you...this is some einstein level BS thatI put myself in. I never worked this hard to get a C in a class all my life. Java kicked my ass (pardon my language), and learning how to code is like learning French in your 60s. But I also have to say, these classes are very hands on and give a very good understanding on technology and how you can use certain programs like rapid minner and python to create probability data and even 3-d models using tableau. While this wasn't something I am passionate about but I am so extremely grateful that I am getting the chance to learn these things. Idk about the job market though because bioinformatics in the career prospective is around 80k if I work for an institution like a university, which isn't bad but with my undergrad and grad degrees I will be in 100K loans and the universities do not really take in external candidates unless they are forced to, however for most pharmaceutical companies the jobs are in big cities like san francisco, NYC, or Chicago and the local ones need 10+ years in the work field to get that 100k pay check. Anyways I will be working for at least 2 years before I go on to pursue medicine. And Just like you I have a section of bioinformatics that I am passionate about, I want t focus on mental health disorders and find way to genetically cure them.
i am so proud of your dedication on this journey love....I too focus on mental health and did community health then zeroed in on community rehab and disability. Honestly not sure I can do bio-informatics but the way the world is going on tech and A.I its a good idea to start getting interested in techy things
Epidemiology is a good middle ground between public health and bioinformatics, the latter may be too specific. Speaking as someone in industry, most health tech roles will interchangeably ask for epidemiology/biostats/health data science background. The difference is epidemiology helps you develop an innate understanding of methods and how to reason to arrive at conclusions along with use of statistical software to manipulate data whereas bioinformatics is looking more at current structures/computation further down the line but not necessarily how you arrived at that point with your data
I'm currently an undergrad in Biology. I find myself leaning towards MPH degree, would you suggest I get it with a concentration in epidemiology or biostatistics? Or should I just go for general MPH?
I’m currently going through a MS in Bioinformatics and it’s very difficult but if you enjoy coding and data analysis you will love it! Also I can’t wait to see more black women in the field. I’m the only black woman in my program lol
Hi! Itsbigprin. I'm really interested in MS bioinformatics but I'm just scared as I have no foundation in coding and all that. I feel it's gonna be tough for me. The only knowledge I have is Biology and medicine. Pls I need to get more info from you if you do not mind. Thank you.
Thanks for this... for years I have been doing research on bioinformatic, health information and public health which I want to specialised on. I did bsc in computer science and MIT then studying nursing for personal reasons. But the truth is I don't want to leave me tech life been finding a way to combine my nursing with Technology hence the research. I think you made some point. It was the research that made me find your channel. Good job!
While in undergrad I worked at Starbucks with a girl who had an MPH. We made $9.50/hr and it was hard work. I studied math and am doing an MS in biostats now paid for by my work. Got a salary job right away. I’m pretty ignorant but that scared me away from any degrees without very rigorous skills. Be warned.
Cool note, most bioinformatics scientist postings don't strictly require a masters in bioinformatics, but usually a quantitative science or engineering where the student has experience in researching or studying computational biology. Masters programs such as in applied statistics, biostatistics, genomics, computer science, applied mathematics, biomathematics, computational mathematics, biophysics, computational physics, computational biology, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, computational chemistry, chemical engineering, biomolecular engineering, biochemical engineering, computational biology, systems biology, etc. All of these fields have applications in bioinformatics and can be more versatile programs to provide a solid footing into a bioinformatics career.
Most definitely. Thank you for the informative vid. As a life science undergrad, i spent some time contemplating the mph, but i was interested in these really innovative and high earning data science related fields as well. The draw back is that a lot the more quantitative based graduate programs have prerequisites that a life science undergrad student typically doesn't have, like more advanced math and introductory computer science coursework. I wanted to try and keep more doors open outside of the biotech and health industry as well for down the road just incase. So i went back to community college for the prerequisites and am now doing a masters in computational mathematics. Although im not particularly taking coursework in bioinformatics/biostatistics, my course subjects often involves applications in bioinformatics/biostat and my faculty have research and career experience in those fields as well. So it should be an option, and am hoping it all works out.
@@kyyahabdul I wouldn't say I know much. I just spent some time looking over quora, reddit, and glassdoor over the past couple years. As a subscriber (i initially came across your channel and love to see another black professional in the biopharma and regulatory affairs fields, like my late mother) and this video particularly caught my attention for the reasons I explained above, thought I'd add my 2 cents. Sorry for the sudden chain of comments lol. I wouldn't mind an interview, I have a busy next few weeks, but we can possibly schedule something if you still find it useful. I love your channel and useful content about the bioscience fields. Keep doing your thing ✊🏿
@Career Savage. The fact that you take your time to attend to every suscriber question what I admire so much about you. Thank you so .. much. Kisses from Nigeria. Please I have a question. I have BSc. In Biochemistry. I am so really confused on what to choose between MPH or Msc. Bioinformatics. I did a project in In silico drug prediction and discovery which I fell in love with. But in Same way MPH sounds so very interesting. Just want to be in health related career where I will help to alleviate pain from people's lives. Please help me out.
@Okeke Angela @career savage... I'm also having this issue too... though I'm in my 2nd year of biochemistry here in Nigeria but I would love to plan ahead.
I recently was accepted into a MPH program, but I wanted to learn more about computer programming. I definitely would like to do computer programming in any research I will be doing in the future. Right now, I'm looking into applying for a bioinformatics program, but now I'm wondering what if I get a masters in biostatistics with a certificate in public health data science? I do have a bachelor degree in both biology and chemistry. I have interested in science, computer science, and biostatistics.
It also depends what you want you're degree focused on. MPH biostat programs have a lot of general public health coursework, as for ms in biostat programs tend to concentrate more in statistical theory. Because of the stronger focus in advanced statistics, which is also a very in demand skill right now, ms in biostatistics are often more of an applied statistics degree with range outside of the biotech and health care industry as well, while not as much for the mph in biostat. It varies though depending on the curriculum of the specific programs. Its best to speak with the faculty of the programs you're interested in and find out what their graduates go on to do and see if those align with your goals. You can use Linkedin to search that info as well.
Thank you for this amazing video! I am actually interested in bioinformatics since I really like bio and tech. But I also find clinical research very interesting. So can I work in the field of clinical research with a Msc in bioinfo? Or is it more limited to people who have a MPH?
@@kyyahabdul Thank you!! Yes it was helpful because I felt like bioinfo was too technical/scientific to land a job as a CRA. I just discovered your channel and it was really helpful to dive into your content, keep it up!
Hi! Thank you for talking about this topic💛 . I actually have a question regarding to that and I'll so happy if you could answering me about it. Is person who complete his or her bachelor degree in health informatics able to apply and have a M.S degree in bioinformatics, is it possible?
I am a Pharm. D, currently started specialization in health informatics and nearing to start MS in health informatics. What is MS in biotech informatics?? I know what is health informatics. But are they same. I have MPH in option too but I am a tech guy actually... need an opinion here
i love your not professional dress code...lol...as a medical student myself id say public health is broader and epidemiology is more specific...i have a video on my channel on community rehab because thats also an interesting place especially for people of colour and even females
is a masters in bioinformatics worth it after a biomedical science degree? what are and how good are career prospects after a masters in bioinformatics?
Generally, from what I've seen, a masters in biostatistics, statistics, or computer science is needed to work as a biostatistician. At least i haven't yet seen postings not requiring a non-quantitative science masters.
@@kyyahabdul I’m not sure if those jobs are actual biostatistician jobs. Biostatistics is a lottt of math and I don’t think a degree in biomedical sciences will suffice at all terms of terms of preparing for the math. You need at least calc III and linear algebra to be able to do a lot of biostatistics and biomedical degrees do not have that kind of math. If you want to do biostatistics a math degree is actually preferred and you definitely almost need a masters for those jobs.
