Medical M.Sc courses, should you join them? An eye-opener!
So you have done Bachelor’s degree in…
• Chemistry, Botany & Zoology,
• Biochemistry, Microbiology, biotechnology,
• Veterinary science, ayush or dental sciences
• Any other life sciences
• And now, for some strange reason, you want to undertake M.Sc in medical subjects.
What is medical M.Sc course?
• It is a 2-3 year post graduate course.
• Conducted mostly in medical colleges.
• The degree is awarded under the faculty of medicine by the health university.
• Some non-medical colleges & non-medical universities too offer them under the faculty of science.
• Subjects offered are:
• Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Microbiology
What is the duration of this course?
• UGC considers this as a two-year course.
• In most medical colleges, it is of 3 years.
• Irrespective of the specialization sought, the course is divided into two parts:
• Part 1: compulsory for all, one-year in Human Anatomy, Physiology & Biochemistry
• Part 2: two years of subject specialization
• The first part makes the degree “medical” and separates it from general M.Sc.
How to get admitted to these courses?
• Decide if you want to pursue in a medical or non-medical institution.
• Check if the course is of 2 or 3 years of duration.
• Some institutions hold entrance test, some based on B.Sc performance.
• Some offer this to people with specific specialization in Bachelor’s degree.
• Cross check with peers or seniors, do some background check and research on the Internet.
• Meet the counseling department (if exists).
Who governs medical M.Sc courses?
• Nobody!
• Medical Council of India has disowned it.
• UGC is clueless!
• It is left to the individual university and the affiliated colleges to run them as they wish.
• The duration, curriculum, and syllabus vary across the universities.
• Neither MoHFW nor HRD wants to address this anomaly.
• It’s a total chaos…. students are being taken for a ride.
Why was this course started?
• In the 1950s, doctors preferred clinical subjects for specialization after MBBS.
• There were no takers for pre-clinical (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology) & para-clinical (Pharmacology, Microbiology) subjects.
• There was an acute shortage of teachers in these subjects.
• It was initially introduced for doctors; they didn’t take it.
• Mudaliyar Committee suggested it be offered to non-doctors with B.Sc in science background.
• The course is designed to be of 3 years in order to have basic concepts of the human body.
• Non-doctors were appointed as teachers in medical colleges.
What is the qualification of teaching faculty in these five subjects?
• In medical colleges, the teachers are doctors with MD in their respective subjects.
• They teach and train medical M.Sc students.
• They guide in research and dissertation.
• They train in diagnostic techniques and clinical applications.
• They set question papers, evaluate dissertation and assess students in theory and practical examination.
Why do medical colleges run these courses?
• Any medical college can start medical M.Sc course as it does not require MCI’s approval.
• Approval may be required only from the affiliating university, which is easy to obtain.
• There is no board or council to overlook the quality of education.
• Easy money (as fees) for colleges without any extra investment.
• PG students can be utilized as free-labour (diagnostic laboratory or MBBS practicals) under the excuse of training.
• Gullible & ignorant students keep joining these courses without undertaking basic research on their utility & career options.
What is the general curriculum for this course?
• The first year consists of Anatomy, Physiology & Biochemistry similar to that of Phase I of MBBS course
• One must pass the exam to enter the second part.
• The subsequent 2 years are for specialization; syllabus is same as that of MD courses in these subjects.
• Consist of Practicals, Dissertation, Seminars, Journal clubs, Case discussions, Laboratory postings, & Internal assessment exams.
• Final exam consisting of theory & practical examination (3 days) just as for MD courses.
• However, both the curriculum & syllabus vary across the universities.
What are the career scopes after pursuing this course?
Anatomy:
• Teaching in medical colleges
Biochemistry:
• Teaching in medical colleges, consultant in diagnostic laboratories, scientist in research institutions
Physiology:
• Teaching in medical colleges, scientist in research institutions
Pharmacology:
• Teaching in medical colleges, pharmaceutical companies, scientist in research institutions
Microbiology:
• Teaching in medical colleges, consultant in diagnostic laboratories, scientist in research institutions, pharmaceutical companies
Which industry hires candidates with medical M.Sc?
• Because degree holders are educated in medical subjects, they are unfit for non-medical areas.
• Since they learn what the doctors (in PG course) learn, their employment is in medical field only.
• Persons with medical M.Sc in Biochemistry & Microbiology can’t compete with general M.Sc candidates outside the medical field.
• Education empowers them to render their services as:
• teacher in medical colleges
• consultant in diagnostic laboratories
• scientist in research institutions
What is the current employment scenario?
• Persons with medical M.Sc degree in these 5 subjects are
• Unwanted as teachers in medical colleges; there is tremendous lobbying against medical M.Sc degree holders
• Denied role to work as consultant in diagnostic laboratories
• No or limited avenues for research
• So, what will you do with your degrees if you are disallowed to work in the area of your specialization?
• What’s the point of spending 3 years and lakhs of rupees just to be told you are ineligible or unqualified?
• What’s the worth of your degree?
Want to work as a teacher in medical college?
• You will have to start career as tutor/demonstrator (a non-teaching post) even with a Postgraduate degree.
• The department may or may not assign you any teaching job; you may be asked to handle only MBBS practical classes.
• This job may not be permanent; may be offered on a contractual basis.
• After three years as tutors, you are eligible to be promoted as Assistant Professor even if you don’t have Ph.D.
• Most colleges will neither hike your pay nor promote you.
• No guarantee of promotion even if you obtain Ph.D.
• Salary will always be lesser than that of doctors for the same post.
• The competition for jobs is so high that doctors with MD now take up tutor posts.
• Many new job advertisements don’t mention or entertain Medical M.Sc degree holders even for the tutor posts.
• Some doctors relentlessly pursue negative propaganda against medical M.Sc degree & lobby with college, university, MCI and health ministry.
• You may be treated as a “second-class citizen” at your place of work & have to live with loss of dignity and respect.
• If you have good skills, you could be exploited without giving you any credits.
• Although you are a Biomedical Scientist, you will always be called a “non-medico” by all & sundry.
• You can’t set question paper, evaluate answer scripts or be an examiner for MBBS practical examination.
• Although permitted by the MCI, there is lobbying by the doctors at every level of the University to deny roles in the examination process.
• It is considered humiliating to be guided by a non-doctor for MD dissertation.
• You can’t be an examiner for your own degree (medical M.Sc) examination.
• Without Ph.D, you can’t expect any self-respect, no matter how you good your knowledge & expertise are.
• There are very few opportunities to pursue Ph.D while in-service.
• Your employer may not cooperate, may not offer resources, salary, leaves or depute you for Ph.D.
• Despite possessing Ph.D, promotion and salary hikes may be denied on flimsy grounds.
• Despite having Ph.D, severe efforts would be made to deny roles in the MBBS examination.
• You can never become an MD examiner.
• Non-medicos are banned from becoming HODs, Deans or Principals.
• Since non-medicos are perceived as “outsiders”, they are constantly scrutinized and forced to prove themselves on a daily basis.
• Even a gold medallist in medical M.Sc is no match for a MD, who might have taken several attempts just to pass.
• Because doctors “own” the system, all their shortcomings are naturally ignored or overlooked.
• This is the reason why MCI hasn’t been able to raise the standards of medical education in five decades.
• Some colleges don’t promote non-medical teachers beyond the post of Associate Professor despite possessing requisite eligibility.
Want to work in diagnostic laboratories?
• There is tremendous lobbying by doctors at all levels to keep non-doctors from working as consultants in the diagnostic laboratories.
• Doctors want to establish a monopoly by denying eligibility of others citing vague laws or deliberately misinterpreting them.
• If you don’t have “clinical exposure” you are not eligible to interpret laboratory test reports.
• Since you don’t have MBBS degree & not registered in central or state medical councils, you are not eligible to practice in the laboratory.
• Even with Ph.D, you are only as good as a technician even if you have studied the same what the MD holders have.
Want to work in diagnostic laboratories?
• You can’t sign the laboratory test report because they wrongly consider it as a medical report.
• Your laboratory report must be counter-signed by a doctor who may not have any specialization.
• You might have set up the lab, established SOPs and set quality control protocols, but you can never be considered as a consultant.
• Reports signed by you are dangerous to the lives of patients.
• Since you are not registered in any council, you are unaccountable.
• You are simply a worthless person who knows nothing and can’t be trusted.
Want to be a scientist in research institutions?
• There are very few central or state research institutions in India.
• Whenever the field is “medical”, the first preference is always doctors.
• A person with MBBS, M.D is anytime superior to medical M.Sc with Ph.D.
• You are low in the ranking of preferences for appointment as scientists.
• Your wage will always be lesser than doctors for the same designation.
• You will have to compete with doctors and reservation quota for scientist’s job.
• Despite having “medical” degree, you will be considered along with general M.Sc as a “non-medical” candidate.
• You can never rise to the top levels in any organization you may work.
What is your worth in the medical field?
• Since you are not a doctor, you are assumed to be stupid & ignorant.
• Since you lack “clinical exposure” you are no good at anything medical.
• All your academic training are of doubtful value. Your Ph.D is fake and manipulated.
• Doctors set your syllabus, train you, enskill you, guide you, & assess you; they also belittle and discredit your degree.
• In your field, you can NEVER reach the top because it comes in direct conflict with doctors, which they can never tolerate.
• You will always remain subservient & subordinate to the doctors.
• If you are good in your trade, you will be perceived as a threat.
• Since you are a "scientist", you would be taunted of your academic degree and asked to display cutting-edge research results and patents.
So, will you take up this course?
• Sure, why not?
• Who needs dignity, self-respect, and growth if one has medical M.Sc degree?
• If the above means nothing to you, go ahead and take a plunge.
• Don’t lament later that you were not warned.
• Best wishes to you.
Want to share this as a PDF document? Here you go: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1nDgP3YPilBUDbxWSB80Gw0nhuPpe22bZ
So you have done Bachelor’s degree in…
• Chemistry, Botany & Zoology,
• Biochemistry, Microbiology, biotechnology,
• Veterinary science, ayush or dental sciences
• Any other life sciences
• And now, for some strange reason, you want to undertake M.Sc in medical subjects.
What is medical M.Sc course?
• It is a 2-3 year post graduate course.
• Conducted mostly in medical colleges.
• The degree is awarded under the faculty of medicine by the health university.
• Some non-medical colleges & non-medical universities too offer them under the faculty of science.
• Subjects offered are:
• Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Microbiology
What is the duration of this course?
• UGC considers this as a two-year course.
• In most medical colleges, it is of 3 years.
• Irrespective of the specialization sought, the course is divided into two parts:
• Part 1: compulsory for all, one-year in Human Anatomy, Physiology & Biochemistry
• Part 2: two years of subject specialization
• The first part makes the degree “medical” and separates it from general M.Sc.
How to get admitted to these courses?
• Decide if you want to pursue in a medical or non-medical institution.
• Check if the course is of 2 or 3 years of duration.
• Some institutions hold entrance test, some based on B.Sc performance.
• Some offer this to people with specific specialization in Bachelor’s degree.
• Cross check with peers or seniors, do some background check and research on the Internet.
• Meet the counseling department (if exists).
Who governs medical M.Sc courses?
• Nobody!
• Medical Council of India has disowned it.
• UGC is clueless!
• It is left to the individual university and the affiliated colleges to run them as they wish.
• The duration, curriculum, and syllabus vary across the universities.
• Neither MoHFW nor HRD wants to address this anomaly.
• It’s a total chaos…. students are being taken for a ride.
Why was this course started?
• In the 1950s, doctors preferred clinical subjects for specialization after MBBS.
• There were no takers for pre-clinical (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology) & para-clinical (Pharmacology, Microbiology) subjects.
• There was an acute shortage of teachers in these subjects.
• It was initially introduced for doctors; they didn’t take it.
• Mudaliyar Committee suggested it be offered to non-doctors with B.Sc in science background.
• The course is designed to be of 3 years in order to have basic concepts of the human body.
• Non-doctors were appointed as teachers in medical colleges.
What is the qualification of teaching faculty in these five subjects?
• In medical colleges, the teachers are doctors with MD in their respective subjects.
• They teach and train medical M.Sc students.
• They guide in research and dissertation.
• They train in diagnostic techniques and clinical applications.
• They set question papers, evaluate dissertation and assess students in theory and practical examination.
Why do medical colleges run these courses?
• Any medical college can start medical M.Sc course as it does not require MCI’s approval.
• Approval may be required only from the affiliating university, which is easy to obtain.
• There is no board or council to overlook the quality of education.
• Easy money (as fees) for colleges without any extra investment.
• PG students can be utilized as free-labour (diagnostic laboratory or MBBS practicals) under the excuse of training.
• Gullible & ignorant students keep joining these courses without undertaking basic research on their utility & career options.
What is the general curriculum for this course?
• The first year consists of Anatomy, Physiology & Biochemistry similar to that of Phase I of MBBS course
• One must pass the exam to enter the second part.
• The subsequent 2 years are for specialization; syllabus is same as that of MD courses in these subjects.
• Consist of Practicals, Dissertation, Seminars, Journal clubs, Case discussions, Laboratory postings, & Internal assessment exams.
• Final exam consisting of theory & practical examination (3 days) just as for MD courses.
• However, both the curriculum & syllabus vary across the universities.
What are the career scopes after pursuing this course?
Anatomy:
• Teaching in medical colleges
Biochemistry:
• Teaching in medical colleges, consultant in diagnostic laboratories, scientist in research institutions
Physiology:
• Teaching in medical colleges, scientist in research institutions
Pharmacology:
• Teaching in medical colleges, pharmaceutical companies, scientist in research institutions
Microbiology:
• Teaching in medical colleges, consultant in diagnostic laboratories, scientist in research institutions, pharmaceutical companies
Which industry hires candidates with medical M.Sc?
• Because degree holders are educated in medical subjects, they are unfit for non-medical areas.
• Since they learn what the doctors (in PG course) learn, their employment is in medical field only.
• Persons with medical M.Sc in Biochemistry & Microbiology can’t compete with general M.Sc candidates outside the medical field.
• Education empowers them to render their services as:
• teacher in medical colleges
• consultant in diagnostic laboratories
• scientist in research institutions
What is the current employment scenario?
• Persons with medical M.Sc degree in these 5 subjects are
• Unwanted as teachers in medical colleges; there is tremendous lobbying against medical M.Sc degree holders
• Denied role to work as consultant in diagnostic laboratories
• No or limited avenues for research
• So, what will you do with your degrees if you are disallowed to work in the area of your specialization?
• What’s the point of spending 3 years and lakhs of rupees just to be told you are ineligible or unqualified?
• What’s the worth of your degree?
Want to work as a teacher in medical college?
• You will have to start career as tutor/demonstrator (a non-teaching post) even with a Postgraduate degree.
• The department may or may not assign you any teaching job; you may be asked to handle only MBBS practical classes.
• This job may not be permanent; may be offered on a contractual basis.
• After three years as tutors, you are eligible to be promoted as Assistant Professor even if you don’t have Ph.D.
• Most colleges will neither hike your pay nor promote you.
• No guarantee of promotion even if you obtain Ph.D.
• Salary will always be lesser than that of doctors for the same post.
• The competition for jobs is so high that doctors with MD now take up tutor posts.
• Many new job advertisements don’t mention or entertain Medical M.Sc degree holders even for the tutor posts.
• Some doctors relentlessly pursue negative propaganda against medical M.Sc degree & lobby with college, university, MCI and health ministry.
• You may be treated as a “second-class citizen” at your place of work & have to live with loss of dignity and respect.
• If you have good skills, you could be exploited without giving you any credits.
• Although you are a Biomedical Scientist, you will always be called a “non-medico” by all & sundry.
• You can’t set question paper, evaluate answer scripts or be an examiner for MBBS practical examination.
• Although permitted by the MCI, there is lobbying by the doctors at every level of the University to deny roles in the examination process.
• It is considered humiliating to be guided by a non-doctor for MD dissertation.
• You can’t be an examiner for your own degree (medical M.Sc) examination.
• Without Ph.D, you can’t expect any self-respect, no matter how you good your knowledge & expertise are.
• There are very few opportunities to pursue Ph.D while in-service.
• Your employer may not cooperate, may not offer resources, salary, leaves or depute you for Ph.D.
• Despite possessing Ph.D, promotion and salary hikes may be denied on flimsy grounds.
• Despite having Ph.D, severe efforts would be made to deny roles in the MBBS examination.
• You can never become an MD examiner.
• Non-medicos are banned from becoming HODs, Deans or Principals.
• Since non-medicos are perceived as “outsiders”, they are constantly scrutinized and forced to prove themselves on a daily basis.
• Even a gold medallist in medical M.Sc is no match for a MD, who might have taken several attempts just to pass.
• Because doctors “own” the system, all their shortcomings are naturally ignored or overlooked.
• This is the reason why MCI hasn’t been able to raise the standards of medical education in five decades.
• Some colleges don’t promote non-medical teachers beyond the post of Associate Professor despite possessing requisite eligibility.
Want to work in diagnostic laboratories?
• There is tremendous lobbying by doctors at all levels to keep non-doctors from working as consultants in the diagnostic laboratories.
• Doctors want to establish a monopoly by denying eligibility of others citing vague laws or deliberately misinterpreting them.
• If you don’t have “clinical exposure” you are not eligible to interpret laboratory test reports.
• Since you don’t have MBBS degree & not registered in central or state medical councils, you are not eligible to practice in the laboratory.
• Even with Ph.D, you are only as good as a technician even if you have studied the same what the MD holders have.
Want to work in diagnostic laboratories?
• You can’t sign the laboratory test report because they wrongly consider it as a medical report.
• Your laboratory report must be counter-signed by a doctor who may not have any specialization.
• You might have set up the lab, established SOPs and set quality control protocols, but you can never be considered as a consultant.
• Reports signed by you are dangerous to the lives of patients.
• Since you are not registered in any council, you are unaccountable.
• You are simply a worthless person who knows nothing and can’t be trusted.
Want to be a scientist in research institutions?
• There are very few central or state research institutions in India.
• Whenever the field is “medical”, the first preference is always doctors.
• A person with MBBS, M.D is anytime superior to medical M.Sc with Ph.D.
• You are low in the ranking of preferences for appointment as scientists.
• Your wage will always be lesser than doctors for the same designation.
• You will have to compete with doctors and reservation quota for scientist’s job.
• Despite having “medical” degree, you will be considered along with general M.Sc as a “non-medical” candidate.
• You can never rise to the top levels in any organization you may work.
What is your worth in the medical field?
• Since you are not a doctor, you are assumed to be stupid & ignorant.
• Since you lack “clinical exposure” you are no good at anything medical.
• All your academic training are of doubtful value. Your Ph.D is fake and manipulated.
• Doctors set your syllabus, train you, enskill you, guide you, & assess you; they also belittle and discredit your degree.
• In your field, you can NEVER reach the top because it comes in direct conflict with doctors, which they can never tolerate.
• You will always remain subservient & subordinate to the doctors.
• If you are good in your trade, you will be perceived as a threat.
• Since you are a "scientist", you would be taunted of your academic degree and asked to display cutting-edge research results and patents.
So, will you take up this course?
• Sure, why not?
• Who needs dignity, self-respect, and growth if one has medical M.Sc degree?
• If the above means nothing to you, go ahead and take a plunge.
• Don’t lament later that you were not warned.
• Best wishes to you.
Want to share this as a PDF document? Here you go: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1nDgP3YPilBUDbxWSB80Gw0nhuPpe22bZ
