<p>So I've been thinking seriously about attending Michigan for undergrad (though Ive chosen not to make a final decision until I've thoroughly considered my other options in April), but I hesitate. I want to study some combination of biochemistry and economics, if possible a double major. I am concerned, though, about the quality of the science departments at UMich. I've heard great things about economics, languages, and other humanities-type depts, but what about biochem? Where do the chem and bio programs rank and/or do they meet the standards you would expect of Michigan's top 25 status and high acclaim among academia?</p>
<p>All of michigan's science departments are top 20 for sure. You'll get an awesome education in biochem or any area within sciences you choose to pursue.</p>
<p>Okay, I would say you'd get a great education in everything except molecular biology. The program here is just horrible for bio majors. Biochem isn't too bad because you're under the auspices of chem. Seriously, if you're pre-med and are sure you want to do biochem, consider Yale. Yale's biochem program is just fantastic and you won't be terribly frustrated with poor bio classes.</p>
<p>Ladyinred, Michigan is hard to beat in the Social Sciences and Humanities. In the sciences however, Michigan has room for improvement. Although ranked among the top 20 in all fields of study, Michigan has long ignored the sciences. Only in the last 10 years or so has Michigan really decided to push the sciences and as we know, it takes decades for a university to completely turn a department around. In Chemistry, Michigan has always be respected, especially in the way it teaches undergrads. Along with Economics, Chemistry is one of the few departments at Michigan that is believed to be better at the undergraduate level than at the graduate level. </p>
<p>However, as MichiganWoman points out, and I believe she is a Bio major so she knows more than I do on this subject, Michigan's Biology department is not Michigan's best. When I was a student at Michigan back in the early-mid 90s, my friends who majored in Biology said that the department was very sound (and very dry!), but only there to educate future doctors. However, I did hear very good things about our Biophysics, Biochemistry and Microbiology departments.</p>
<p>So, if your primary goal is to major in Biology, I'd say Michigan will probably not be your most ideal situation. However, if you are interested in Economics, Chemistry, the Humanities, the Languages and Biology, I'd say Michigan will offer you more than you can dream of.</p>
<p>Thank you all!</p>
<p>I'm glad Mich is still a viable option for me. I'm not planning on med school nor do I want to pursue a general Biology major. I'm not at all sure what career path I want to take, but if the chemistry department is considered top-notch, then it's probably not too much of a problem. I'm really trying to figure out where Michigan will rank, considering the scholarships I've received, in relation to the other schools I've applied to. From what I'm understanding, a Biology major isn't worth the low cost, but the Chemistry (and by association, most of the biochem program) and Econ majors are. Have I boiled that down correctly?</p>
<p>MichWoman: I'll certainly consider Yale....if I can get in! :P</p>
<p>Ladyinred, I am not sure if I would look at it that way. There are probably a handful of universities that have significantly better biology departments than Michigan. Definitely Harvard, Stanford and Johns Hopkins, as well as Cal, MIT, Princeton and Yale. But once you get passed those 7 or 8 universities, you will be hard-pressed to find a much better Biology program than the one at Michigan. You must remember we are speaking relatively here. Michigan has no superiors in the Humanities and Social Sciences, so naturally, when Michigan is not ranked in the top 10 or 11 in a specific field, it "sucks" by Michigan standards, but that does not mean it really sucks. I'd say that if your choice is to pay $10,000 to attend Michigan or $40,000 to attend Yale, unless your parents are filthy rich, it would make little sense to chose Yale over Michigan, even if Biology is your intended Major. According to most rankings, Yale is somewhere between #9 and #12 in Biology whereas Michigan is anywhere between #14 and #18 Biology. No exactly worth that $120,000 difference is it? Besides, in terms of overall college experience, no university beats Michigan...in fact, few universities even come close.</p>
<p>Alexandre, I agree with most of your points. Chemistry is really good here. Micro and macroeconomics are really tough simply because of the competition amongst Ross hopefuls. Most of the kids who do well in the class aren't applying to b-school anyway, seeing as they are math and econ majors. Econ at the upper levels is also very good here.</p>
<p>Molecular, cell and developmental biology was summed up correctly by Alexandre. You learn all that you need to know but professors are usually pretty bad at explaining material and it's just very boring! The professors make absolutely no effort to make material interesting, exciting or relevant. Tests are written almost as afterthoughts. Lots of biology majors here do neuroscience, biochemistry or biophysics, all of which are excellent programs. I myself switched to neuroscience and love the major. If you're really interested in learning more bio and having a great time, go to Yale. Otherwise, Michigan is as good a choice as Yale for anything else.</p>