Chemistry/Biochemistry in Quebec

[Che.Kree]

Hi here, I posted the message in the general premed discussion but the feedback was not really the expected one, maybe because not to many people from quebec are visiting that section, or maybe because my question is too dumb , if it's so just say that

 

could you give some advices from your experience at each of these three schools?

 

I have a dilemma in picking the University for my undergrad

 

I am planning to apply to a bach degree in Chemistry/Biochemistry, the univ I might consider are McGill, Univ de Montreal and Concordia,(don't want to move out of Montreal, like it too much )

 

What would be your pros and cons for each of these, and also what would be most advisable combination (Majors or Minors offered) for an Honours/Specialization in Chemistry/Biochemistry, not only from the perspective of a premed but also from the perspective of a graduate of these specialties in general - should I not get into med school, what would help me more in getting a job as a chemist?

 

Would appreciate a lot your help and advices

[miken]

The pros and cons are really determined by you and you only. The following is from my personal experience, research and hearsay... take what you want from it.

 

Let's look at campus location; if you're considering Concordia, you must take into account that it's a fragmented Campus (NDG and Ville-Marie). It's not a huge deal, and they do try to limit most departmental activities to their respective campus (you're not going to have chemistry courses downtown, but you might have some exams there). The other 3 schools have an autonomous central campus and semi-autonomous satelite campuses (it's mostly a question of endowment -> uqam, udem and mcgill being bigger, older schools). If you come from a small high school or college, or used to live near your school, a large and/or fragmented campus might be a bit overwhelming.

 

Let's look at campus life; I don't know much, but UQAM as a very distinct undergrad student culture than the other 3. I'm not saying it's a degree mill, far from it (UdeM is gearing towards a degree mill culture, but that's another debate), but I don't think the school execs work to offer the best undegrad experience possible, most of it is thanks to the efforts of faculty members and student organisations. My point is you got to enjoy yourself and be comfortable and school culture differ greatly even in the same city.

 

Let's look at programs; If you look at UQAM, you've got a more professional geared program, if you look at Concordia, you've got more of a theoretical and research geared program, and for McGill and UdeM, you've got both (mostly research) with a slight medical focus. McGill offers more breath of study, but I'm not sure all their programs are accredited by "L'Ordre des chimistes du Québec". It's really not big of a deal, the differences are not major enough for someone not to employ you or reject your grad school application, but it's something to consider.

 

If you're considering research, Honours degrees are definitely recommended but not necessary (some schools in the US require Honours degree), not even for med school (though research experience is a plus). You do need a certain amount of relevant coursework for grad school, so you'll probably best served with a minor in molecular biology or applied human sciences than a minor in religious studies if you're considering a masters degree in genetic counselling for example.

 

If you're looking for a job as a chemist, any schools is good really. The nature of jobs (lab tech, assistant, lecturer, junior chemist, pharmaceutical sales rep, research associate, senior chemist, clinical biochemist, genetic counsellor) really depends on experience, study level and specialty.

 

For med school, just be sure to have you're prereqs, do something you find fun and interesting, and get good grades. You are more likely to find medical related elective at UdeM and McGill, not that it's something majorly relevant.

[Che.Kree]

Thanks a lot,

 

now it's becoming to be more clear,

 

Concordia programs seem to be very nice, not too big, both Chem and Biochem are accredited by L'Ordre des chimistes, students with divers backgrounds (from what I understood); also, the research wouldn't be the last aspect to consider and since it's emphasised well enough that's cool...

 

McGill, on the other hand, has more options(in terms of programs in the Chemistry departm), and the school's reputation comes along with the degree,

 

should think about these two,

 

Thanks again miken,

 

and other opinions are welcome (feel free to say it in french if you like)

 

cheers

[miken]

Let's be real here. Nepotism goes a long way before school reputation.

 

Depending on the context, school reputation may vary from the public opinion; In Montreal, JMSB and ETS graduates may be favoured over HEC and McGill Engeneering graduates, might be the opposite outside of Quebec.

 

If you're interested in the medical field and fundamental research, I feel like McGill is the best choice, regardless of the competitive culture.

[Che.Kree]

Let's be real here. Nepotism goes a long way before school reputation.

 

Depending on the context, school reputation may vary from the public opinion; In Montreal, JMSB and ETS graduates may be favoured over HEC and McGill Engeneering graduates, might be the opposite outside of Quebec.

 

If you're interested in the medical field and fundamental research, I feel like McGill is the best choice, regardless of the competitive culture.

 

well, I understand that the nepotism is a factor, but I can't count on it, just practically can not count,

 

another problem is that, as for now, I don't qualify for McGill for Fall 2013because of a number of prereqs I have to complete, while for Concordia is OK with all the prereqs I have by now... I have two choices:

 

#1 to continue to do my prereqs - I would be done by fall 2013 and to apply to McGill

 

#2 to get in a program at Concordia in Fall 2013, and while continuing to do the prereqs, to transfer to McGill, in case I wouldn't feel Concordia program doesn't provide me the appropriate opportunities - not sure how this is manageable in practice, but still it's something I think about...

 

Thanks again