Combined Medicine student profiles

Tessa Neilson
Year 1, BMus Studies/MBBS
"This combined program allows me to pursue my two passions without compromise; music and medicine. It feels like a unique opportunity, especially because it's being offered here at Sydney University for the first time in the world.

"I love knowing that I can reach my potential as a musician, being immersed in music and performing at the Conservatorium whilst knowing medicine is on the horizon. Ultimately, I will become a doctor however I am yet to make decisions about specialisation as there are so many aspects of the medical profession in which I am interested.

"There is a special quality to the degree in knowing that the skills I’m developing while studying music such as memory, concentration and the fusion of analysis and artistry are comparable to doctors’ analytical skills which must balance with emotional and intuitive nuances in communication with patients. And I’m sure as I am pianist, this can’t hurt in developing surgical dexterity!”

Yu Heng Lau
Year 2, BSc/MBBS

"I chose the combined degree because I have an interest in science and I wanted to pursue that as well as medicine; this course means that I didn’t have to sacrifice that interest to do medicine. And although it sounds like a long time (the Combined degree takes seven years ) it’s only a year more than a straight-from–school-medicine degree.

"I like the flexibility of the course best and the opportunity to keep my options open. Within the science component I can choose non-medically related science if I want and next year I’ll be studying maths which I probably won’t use very much in medicine but I enjoy it."

The Combined program also allows Yu Heng to take advantage of the study abroad options open to him in the Science degree. "I’ve applied to go to Berkeley in second semester this year which is only possible in the Science component of the degree.

"The unique experiences of the course include the zero credit point units, which are a compulsory part of the degree but don’t count toward your marks. They help to ensure that we’re still in touch with medicine while doing the science part of the degree program. We went to Dubbo and looked at how the hospital works and even sat in on surgery."

Georgia McCaughan
Year 3, BMedSc/MBBS

"I chose to do a combined degree because it gave me more choice for the first few years out of school. The University of Sydney has a great reputation too and I really liked the idea of getting a medicine degree from Sydney, even if not straight away.

"I like most the flexibility of the program. I row for the University and doing a Science degree first allows me to travel to national and international competitions. It wouldn’t be as easy to do that in a straight-from-school-medicine degree.

"The other thing I really like are the tutorials which allow us to interact with different members of the Faculty and with different people involved in health administration in a small group environment.

"I’m not really sure what I’d like to do when I finish. I’d like to specialise and at the moment I’m interested in neurosurgery and emergency medicine but that’s what’s going on right now."

Anne Selikowitz
Year 1, BA/MBBS

"I chose the Combined Arts/ Medicine program because it allows me to follow my passion for the humanities, specifically French and English, with my future career direction as a doctor. And the liberal education that the degree provides will be beneficial for me in the practise of medicine and give me a richer experience than a straight from school medicine degree might.

"I think the most unique thing about the program is the opportunity to combine such a diverse range of subjects. At the moment I'm studying French language and cinema, and a biology unit and in second semester we’ll start the zero credit point subjects such as effective team communication which also serve to keep you in touch with other Combined Medicine students.

"And being part of a small group is also rewarding (there are currently five students enrolled in Arts/Med and Music/Med programs). It’s a chance to get to know people with similar and very unique interests".

Even though she’s only just started the Combined degree Anne is very clear about where she’s heading, "I hope to specialise and work as a paediatrician like my father".

Chris Swan
Year 2, BMedSc/MBBS

"I thought that doing the undergraduate degree would give me a greater level of maturity at the end and that for an extra year I’d get an extra degree giving me more options. I also thought why do a degree that thousands of other people have done before when you can be part of something that only a few have done before.

"I was really impressed with the University of Sydney’s relationship with students: the way they kept in touch with us and encouraged us to join them. The social aspect of Sydney makes your days here very enjoyable. It’s not a hard slog when you’ve got these things to look forward to. I was really impressed that we weren’t isolated from the other science students, we get to meet students and staff overseeing the program. The staff are very supportive and happy for you to see them & discuss the program.

"One of the unique experiences of the course is the Talented Student program offered through the Faculty of Science. It gave me the opportunity to work as part of a research team working with both polymer colloids and with the applied physics group I was able to do something very medically-relevant.

"I’d like to specialise, keep practising then be involved with research. I don’t like the idea of spending all day in a lab but I’d like to be doing that as a means of expanding whatever area I’m specialising in. I want to be at the forefront of medicine finding new answers."

Margaret Li
Year 2, BSc/MBBS

"I think that the combined degree gives you more freedom and the time to explore your interests. It’s also one extra year giving you an extra degree. I’ve found there are more opportunities available during the Science degree: you can go on exchange and you also meet a broader spectrum of people than perhaps you might find in a straight Medicine degree.

"The one week trip to Dubbo was one of the unique experiences of the program. It was our first contact with the medicine part of the program and we experienced real life surgery.

"During the science degree there is also the opportunity of joining the Talented Student Program in group or individual research projects. In first semester I did a group research project on genetic mouse models and their potential for developing cures for diseases, and in second semester I did an individual project in the physics department exploring plasma and how you can use that to possibly cure viruses. You have the opportunity to really develop what you want to investigate.

"It wasn’t an easy decision for me to choose Sydney. I received a scholarship offer from another university but I’m glad I chose Sydney: it has a very good name and I get to stay with my family."