Medicine and Biology

The Medical Profession

The profession of a doctor is one of the most in-demand and respected in the world. A wide range of medical specialties provides students with numerous career choices, including:

• General Medicine
• Veterinary Medicine
• Dentistry
• Pharmacology and Pharmacy
• Physiotherapy
• Obstetrics
• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Medical Cosmetology
• Molecular and Applied Biotechnology
• Biomolecular Engineering
• Chemical Biology
• Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Brewing and Beverage Technology
• Food Chemistry
• Biological Process Technologies
• Food Technology and Biotechnology
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemical Biotechnology
• Neurocognitive Psychology
• Psychopathology
• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Medical and Clinical Care
• Neurology
• Neuroscience

Who is a Doctor?

A doctor is a specialist with medical education who treats patients. Doctors diagnose illnesses, provide treatment, and consult individuals suffering from diseases, conditions, and injuries.
Their numerous responsibilities include examining patients, collecting medical histories, conducting diagnostic tests, and directly treating illnesses. Practically every major human organ system has its own specialized doctor — for example, ophthalmologists, dentists, cardiologists, rheumatologists, and dermatologists.

The roots of this profession go back more than 25,000 years, with the earliest “healers” depicted in cave paintings in present-day France. These images show people using plants for healing purposes — the first known example of medical knowledge being passed down through tribes.

Advantages of the Medical Profession

• A Noble Profession. Being a doctor is one of the most vital and necessary roles in society. Physicians do not merely shuffle papers or perform minor tasks — they heal and cure patients, often saving lives. In the most critical and extreme situations, we rely on doctors, entrusting them with our health. Doctors are justifiably proud of their profession and feel a strong sense of social significance.
• Moral Satisfaction. Every day, doctors save lives and help people. Their work often produces visible and immediate results. In addition to the joy of seeing patients recover, doctors also receive heartfelt gratitude from them.
• High Demand and Career Growth. Doctors are always needed — especially today, with an acute shortage of medical workers in many countries, particularly in rural areas. A good doctor can find employment anywhere — from small villages to large cities. With retraining, doctors can also meet the requirements of other countries and practice medicine worldwide. They have clear career advancement opportunities, up to becoming a department head or the chief physician of a hospital.
• Diversity in Career Paths. There are countless medical specializations. Those who love children may choose pediatrics, while those with steady nerves and skillful hands might pursue surgery. Animal lovers can choose veterinary medicine, and those interested in the human mind may opt for psychiatry. Doctors also enjoy a variety of workplaces — obstetricians work in maternity hospitals, ophthalmologists in optical clinics, while others may work in private practices or establish their own medical centers.
• Intellectual Work. Medicine is one of the most complex yet fascinating sciences. It never stands still; therefore, doctors constantly study new discoveries, attend conferences, and engage in lifelong learning. Medical school is often challenging, but the knowledge and opportunities make the sleepless nights and intensive studying worthwhile.

Disadvantages of the Medical Profession

• Responsibility and Stress. Doctors bear enormous responsibility, as a medical mistake can result in the loss of a patient’s life. They often have to make quick and important decisions affecting patients’ health. In addition, doctors face heavy workloads, night shifts, and constant stress throughout their careers.
• Long and Difficult Education. Medical studies last at least seven years. Students must learn and memorize large amounts of material (for example, anatomy), especially in the early years. Attendance is almost mandatory, with very few exceptions (such as illness or blood donation). Medical school schedules are packed with lectures, seminars, and practical sessions, leaving little time for rest. However, students passionate about the profession often find the process engaging and rewarding.
• Demanding Work Schedule. Many doctors work night shifts or multiple jobs. This reduces time with family and negatively affects their health. Physicians are often required to respond to emergencies, treat patients outside regular hours, and remain constantly on call.
• Occupational Hazards. One of the main dangers of this profession is working with infectious patients. Doctors face a high risk of contracting diseases such as influenza, respiratory infections, hepatitis, and others. Hospitals can even become epicenters of infection, with medical staff themselves becoming carriers. Additional risks include accidental needle pricks, contact with bodily fluids, or even physical threats from patients in psychiatric facilities.

Medical Specializations

Medicine is as vast and complex as the human body itself. Every doctor develops a specialization. Common medical school departments include:

• General Medicine. Programs in general practice lead to specializations such as surgeon, therapist, cardiologist, pediatrician, obstetrician, and others. Studies usually last six years.
• Pediatrics. The science of treating children (from Greek paidos — child, iatreia — healing). Pediatricians not only treat and prevent illnesses but also monitor children’s growth and development while advising parents. Diagnosing illnesses in children can be challenging due to their inability to describe their symptoms, making attentiveness, patience, and emotional stability essential.
• Surgery. A field that uses manual and instrumental methods to treat diseases or injuries. Surgeons are responsible for preoperative diagnostics, performing the operation, and postoperative care. The profession requires nerves of steel, emotional resilience, patience, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Physical endurance is equally important, as surgeries often last many hours.
• Nursing. Nursing provides qualified patient care and plays a central role in healthcare. Nurses not only assist doctors during treatments and operations but also manage sterilization, vaccinations, documentation, and therapeutic procedures. Compassion and empathy are the foundation of the profession, which dates back to Florence Nightingale — considered the first professional nurse during the Crimean War.

How to Become a Doctor?

To become a doctor, higher medical education is required. Colleges may provide qualifications such as nurse, paramedic, or technician, but only universities grant full medical degrees.

A future doctor must have a strong interest in biology, anatomy, and chemistry, as well as academic discipline and a genuine passion for lifelong learning, since medical education lasts, on average, more than seven years.

Medical Secondary Vocational Education

Colleges offer qualifications such as nurse, paramedic, medical laboratory technician, midwife, dental technician, pharmacist, dental hygienist, and others.

To enter a medical college, applicants usually take entrance exams in chemistry, biology, and physics. In some cases, psychological aptitude tests are also required. Admission is possible after completing the 9th or 11th grade, with both tuition-free (state-funded) and paid seats available.

The standard duration of study is 2 years and 10 months or 3 years and 10 months.

In addition to general subjects (history, mathematics, communication psychology), students study professional disciplines and modules, including:
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Pharmacology
• Human Genetics and Basics of Medical Genetics
• Fundamentals of Latin and Medical Terminology
• Basics of Pathology
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Diagnostic Activities (Propedeutics of Clinical Disciplines)
• Therapeutic Activities (Treatment of Patients in Therapeutic, Surgical, and Pediatric Fields)
• Obstetric and Gynecological Care 

Higher Medical Education

Medical education is available in many universities worldwide. To enter a medical program, students must pass exams in core subjects: chemistry, biology, and physics.

• There is no distance (part-time) higher medical education; all programs are full-time.
• A bachelor’s degree exists only for Nursing (duration: 4 years).
• Training for General Practitioners is offered as a 6-year program.
• Typically, there are two major departments: General Medicine and Pediatrics.
• Programs such as Pharmacy, Clinical Psychology, and Dentistry last 5–5.5 years.
• Narrow specializations may require up to 8 years of study.

After completing general medical training, doctors must undergo accreditation and then either start working or continue in a residency program (2–5 years) to become highly specialized professionals (e.g., gastroenterologists, orthodontists, obstetricians-gynecologists, forensic experts).

During their studies, students gain practical experience in:

• polyclinics
• health posts
• outpatient clinics
• district hospitals
• private and public clinics
• medical centers
• maternity hospitals

As can be seen, obtaining a medical degree requires a long-term commitment, with variations depending on the country.

Admission Requirements for Medical Programs

Admission requirements vary by country and university but generally include:
• High school diploma (for bachelor’s degree programs) or a bachelor’s/master’s diploma (for master’s/PhD programs)
• GPA: minimum 3.8, with emphasis on grades in chemistry and biology
• TOEFL or IELTS certificate
• Motivation letter
• Recommendation letters
• Results of standardized exams (MCAT, BMAT, IMAT, GAMSAT, UKCAT, HPAT) — required in the USA, Canada, Australia, and some Western European universities
• Entrance exams — in most Eastern European universities

Admission Requirements for Universities in Turkey

• SAT I: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Mathematics — minimum combined score of 1200
  • ACT (American College Testing): Composite Score — minimum 25 points
  • TQDK (Azerbaijan State Exam): minimum 600 points
  • GCE A Level (General Certificate of Education): accepted with required subject passes, depending on the program

Admission Requirements for Universities in China

Applicants must complete an application form and attach a set of required documents, which typically includes:

• Study permit issued by the Chinese government
(to obtain the permit, students must prove that they are legitimate applicants holding a Chinese student visa, with no criminal record, and possessing the necessary qualifications for the chosen program — requirements are published on university websites)
• High school diploma (translated and notarized if obtained outside China) and transcript of records
• HSK Certificate for programs taught in Chinese (usually, admission to undergraduate programs requires HSK Level 3 or higher)
• IELTS or TOEFL Certificate for programs taught in English
• Other diplomas and certificates relevant to the program
• Receipt of payment for the admission (application) fee

Additional documents often required by Chinese universities include:

• Letters of recommendation
• Motivation essay (statement of purpose)
• Bank statement confirming sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses in China
• Student résumé (CV)
• Documents confirming extracurricular activities
• Creative portfolio (for arts and design-related programs)
• Medical certificate