Euan decided to enrol in our master’s in Analytical Science after graduating from Applied Bioscience when he wasn’t satisfied with the career opportunities he found. He shares his experience studying at RGU, including taking advantage of the many labs on campus, and how the course has benefitted him.
About me
Hi! I’m Euan, and I’ve just finished up my master’s in Analytical Science at RGU. I’m a local to the area, and even completed my bachelor’s at RGU in Applied Bioscience just before starting my master’s.
Why Analytical Science?
When I finished my bachelor’s, I was a little up-in-the-air in terms of what I wanted to do. I was living in Aberdeen at the time, and after a bit of a job hunt, I was finding it quite hard to land a position I feel I’d enjoy the most. A lot of the industry, especially the research industry, was out of reach and many graduate programmes weren’t particularly interesting to me.
That was when I seriously considered becoming a dual-specialisation scientist. With a background in biology, I had to think about what would best compliment that degree, and after reading up on analytical science I thought that it would be an incredible help. Both in the job hunt, and in terms of my future career, having two complimentary degrees would be a massive benefit to me.
And then it was a matter of which specialisation to pick. MSc Analytical Science at RGU offers three paths, Environmental Analysis; Food Analysis, Authenticity and Safety; and Drugs Analysis and Toxicology. I went for Drugs Analysis and Toxicology, because I thought that with my skills in biology, namely cell biology, I’d be able to apply what I learned in my master’s to that aspect and become a much more rounded scientist.
What has been the best part of the course?
I absolutely loved the volume of lab work I got to complete. In the first semester, one of the modules was dedicated to teaching us about the different instruments and techniques that could be used or performed at RGU’s facilities, along with theory to back up our practical experience.
That was then put to the test in our second semester, where during our specialisation module, we were put in teams and tasked with using what we’d learned to correctly identify five tablets with no other information available. This really bolstered my confidence as a researcher, teaching me what an analytical pipeline should be and what to do in the face of a hurdle. In the end, I felt really equipped to say “Hey, I’m trained in these techniques” in my CV, a confidence I didn’t have beforehand.
What is studying on campus like?
Being at RGU is an awesome time! Aside from the facilities, there’s a great atmosphere in the Sir Ian Wood Building, where all of the life sciences and chemistry labs are located. Everyone is super friendly, and being able to head down to the cafeteria, grab a coffee, and relax with your classmates before the next lab session is a great time. There’s also a myriad of study spaces available, and we’re even lucky enough to be in the same building as the Library.
On the topic of the facilities, you might be a little confused at first with how much is packed in (I certainly was!), but with a map and asking for directions, you’ll have it down sooner rather than later.
The laboratory wing is absolutely incredible. With a large main wing dedicated to analytical instruments, you’re never going to be wanting for something to do, and exploring the other labs when you have need of them is always an exciting experience. By the end of your course, you’ll know your main lab inside and out. I actually spent a few months in the Cell Culture Suite as part of my master’s project, and many others in my cohort found themselves setting up in the other specialist labs around the building. All this to say, try as you might, RGU always has somewhere new to discover.
Euan Cowie
Related blog
Studying MSc Analytical Science at RGU
The post Studying a master’s in Analytical Science with RGU’s lab facilities appeared first on RGU Student Blog.