The Medical Science degree has been really exciting for me – it’s a very diverse and dynamic degree. Medical Science in itself is very interesting because it’s ever changing. So when I started, I didn’t really know where I wanted it to take me, but I did know that I was very interested and passionate in the field. I saw Flinders as a place that would give me a really good opportunity to feed that passion but in a way that wasn’t confining me to one thing or another, and that led me to a variety of different pathways.

Perhaps the best experience I’ve had is the way that I’ve been able to engage with teachers who are not only professionals but who respect you as a student, and really engage with you if you engage with them. Also, because you’re taught by professionals in their respective fields at Flinders, you know these might be the people who eventually employ you. But you meet with them from Day One and you’re able to build relationships and make connections with them so that when you’re shot out into the world of medical science you’ve already got some solid industry connections.

One of the biggest benefits that Flinders has is that the classes that I’m learning in are literally a walk away from the hospital so students are always exposed to that professional environment and you learn very early on what it’s like to be in that career.

I think what they understand at Flinders is that it’s not just about learning facts, it’s about connecting them and having the skills to extrapolate, problem solve and think critically. I think my favourite topics have been the ones I’m doing now in my third year that ask me to apply and build upon the knowledge that I’ve learnt in the first two years.

Medical Science is a research heavy degree and the natural pathway for me at the end of it is a research placement. Flinders really encourages that by giving you opportunities to practice research and become engaged in laboratory environments – I was given that opportunity from first year! I think that’s really rare and a real advantage of studying the degree here at Flinders.

When you’re at Flinders you always feel that if you need assistance or you need something solved or you  need guidance … it’s always there!

Watch Matthew Bruening speak about the Flinders Medical Science degree on YouTube.

Watch Associate Professor Karen Lower talk about the Flinders Medical Science degree on YouTube, and the pathways that led her to a successful career as a Medical Scientist.

Visit the Flinders University Bachelor of Medical Science website.