I graduated with an Honours BSc in Biochemistry and a BASc in Chemical Engineering as part of the Biotechnology programme at the University of Ottawa in Canada. From this multidisciplinary programme, I gained experience across various fields including molecular biology and microbiology, worked one summer in a neuroscience laboratory, and spent six months as a quality assurance officer in a biotech start-up.
Throughout my undergraduate studies, I also gained over six years of experience working in scientific regulatory affairs with Health Canada, enforcing regulations surrounding biologically derived therapeutics for research, analytical testing and pharmaceutical use.
Seeing where data science meets medicine
I chose Genomic Medicine with Data Science since I wanted to reinforce the data analysis and interpretation skills I’ve built throughout my academic and professional career.
While I’ve had some experience with coding in a few languages, notably Java, I wanted to dive deeper and see the applications of data science in the medical field. How can we use data to improve the health of patients, identifying patterns of disease and suggesting potential therapies?
How can we use data to improve the health of patients, identifying patterns of disease and suggesting potential therapies?
I believe my background experience in biotechnology prepared me well to understand the technical aspects of multi-omics, now powered by the computational technologies of data science.
A programme that fits around full-time work
The University of Leeds offered a very structured, flexible programme of two years part-time, which would allow me to keep working while studying, and still have a work-study-life balance.
This is exactly the kind of stability and growth I was looking for, and I already see the return on investment, as I’ve had several data science and data analysis professional opportunities open up for me since I started the programme.
I already see the return on investment, as I’ve had several data science and data analysis professional opportunities open up for me since I started the programme.
Studying online is perfect for me at this stage, since I am working a stable full-time job as an engineer, and also am doing many activities and sports outside of work with my wife. The programme mentioned that there will be the possibility to have this balance, and so far, I find it exactly as advertised and very manageable even with a complex schedule.
Keeping the learning stimulating
The course materials and activities provide many opportunities for student engagement even whilst being online. I feel that the 2020 pandemic really opened up a shift from ‘brick-and-mortar’ style studying to a hybrid and even fully digital model of learning.
The course is using diverse means to try to keep the teaching stimulating, having videos, text, interactive activities, discussion boards, live webinars, and formative and summative assessments.
I enjoy being able to communicate and collaborate, either through discussion boards, presentations or other means, with other students on the programme from across the globe. I also like the creativity and freedom awarded on final projects, where I feel I can truly work on something meaningful and personal, growing in various areas.
Support and getting back into study
I’ve had meetings with my personal tutors which were very helpful. They listened to my enquiries and provided answers, or went ahead to ask on my behalf if it required further investigation. Academic staff are also present to answer enquiries during the modules, including about technical difficulties, the assessments, or administrative topics.
There haven’t been many big challenges so far. It took a bit of time to get used to learning again after I took a break from studies, and especially in the online format. However, I’ve had prior experience learning online from the pandemic, and experience balancing my work-study-life schedule. As such, I feel I was quickly able to adapt to this lifestyle again and am confident to continue doing so all the way until graduation.
What I wish I’d known
There were some helpful orientation sessions at the start of the programme, especially talking about the course content, but I do wish there could be more of an emphasis on the professional and academic opportunities that are available upon graduating from the programme.
Having more practical information available before starting the programme can help students make informed decisions and be more confident about choices regarding their next big academic chapter.
Advice for future students
It is up to you to make the programme engaging. Whilst the programme provides diverse modes of learning and opportunities for engagement, it is the students that ultimately make it stimulating, by contributing to webinars, discussion boards and so on.
An online programme is truly what you make of it.
An online programme is truly what you make of it, so I would not enrol in one if you are not willing to put in some effort to participate in as many activities as possible. At that point, you will not be getting your money and time’s worth.
However, if you are passionate about the field, in this case Genomic Medicine with Data Science, and if you are willing to participate even with personal and professional commitments, then this programme is for you.
I am excited to continue learning in the programme and see what I can do upon graduation with my newfound experience in genomic medicine and data science, both in personal projects and professionally.
The programme provides the learning tools, whilst you provide the energy for engagement in order to meaningfully grow in the fields of genomic medicine and data science, potentially opening up many doors down the road.