Biology beyond school Biology beyond school Career paths

Biology beyond school…

Biology beyond school • • Career paths to science research Laboratory life About developmental biology & embryology Development of the central nervous system • Brain & spinal cord • Regionalisation & function • My research: cerebellum • Applications of science research

A path to science research… School (GCSEs & AS/A levels) University of Edinburgh -B. Sc Biological Sciences: Developmental Biology Honours - 4 years Gap year King’s College London -Ph. D Developmental Neurobiology - 4 years Science research

Alternative routes to becoming a research scientist: School (GCSEs & AS/A levels) Gap year/doing something diferent? Gap year/doing something different? University Medical degree Technician/ biopharmaceutical Ph. D Science research

Being a research scientist

Life as a research scientist Workflow: Also involves: Subject choice Hypothesis/question Creativity & lots of reading Experimental design Being conscientious The experiment(s) Gathering information & accurate data recording Data interpretation Conclusion(s) …usually leads to more Questions/reflection Publication(s) Accurate writing

Laboratory life

The laboratories

Expensive equipment £ 3. 5 million!!!

Microscopes

Bits + pieces in a lab

Scientists at work…

The offices…

Science research as a career? Pro’s: Con’s: • Creative freedom • Can be frustrating • Challenging • Time scales • Rewarding • Teaching • International travel • Can be solitary • Teaching • Become very specialised/expert • Transferable skills • Become very specialised/expert • Financial • Competitive