Sebastian Biomedical Genetics BSc
Course Dates: 2009-2012
Choosing Newcastle
I chose Newcastle as it is a member of the Russell Group and has an impressive portfolio regarding papers, publications and research groups. I wanted to belong to a university where research plays such an important role and be involved as much as I could with it.
Course So Far
I have enjoyed my course a lot. We are always learning quite interesting things and I like the fact that they always try to keep the course fairly practical through lab sessions and tutorials. It is very nice to be taught by lecturers who are leading experts in their fields and who also can tell us about the research they do.
As a genetics student I also receive some lectures in the Institute of Human Genetics, part of the International Centre for Life. It is amazing.
Surprises
There is always something going on in Newcastle such as seminars on very different subjects organised by different departments of the university. I quite like the ones from the Institute of Neuroscience, and also the Insight Public Lectures because they treat a wide variety of topics, ranging from the recent history of Portugal to how do you produce oil using algae. Many speakers are world leaders in their fields. Just earlier this year I attended a lecture in the medical faculty given by a Nobel laureate and president of Royal Society; very enlightening.
Facilities
The medical faculty has excellent student facilities, from the computer clusters (the 24 hour ones are very useful) to the library with thousands of textbooks and scientific journals. The common rooms are quite nice to go and sit there with your friends in your spare time. There is even a piano in one of them, which I enjoy playing whenever I can.
Field Trips Projects
Last year I worked as an assistant in a research lab of the faculty. It is an excellent opportunity that the school offers to its second year students. Last summer I did a placement in the Institute of Ageing and Health. The possibility of managing my own time to plan and perform experiments was thrilling. Attending the lab meetings was also very interesting. At the end of the 10 weeks I had the opportunity to give a presentation of my results to the group and write a poster for an event at the University
City
Newcastle has a well-deserved partying reputation. But in my time here I have realised that is only one aspect of city, because Newcastle is also a city of science, arts and sports. The Quayside is my favourite place in the city. I find it like a mini-Thames bank. Actually, I would confidently describe Newcastle as a mini-London, very cosmopolitan and with a lot the culture and internationality, but without all the noise and the traffic jams.
Accommodation
I live in a flat close to the city centre with some friends from my course. It is a great place to be because everything is quite close, including the campus.
Spare time
I like playing the piano, swimming and horse riding, although I am a bit out of practice since I moved to the UK. Sometimes I visit the Armstrong Building where there are live music performances by students and I also like going to the cinema and the theatre. And of course, I like going to the pub with my friends from time to time.
Best Thing
The best thing about Newcastle is that you'll never get bored!
