<p>What is the difference in course load for a biochem versus a chem major?
I want to pursue biochemistry, however right now in high school I am essentially doing pure chemistry work. I'm even working in a physical chemistry laboratory doing crystallography. Does this in any way hurt my chances as an applicant for a biochem major?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>There’s absolutely no way this could hurt you. Most people don’t do anything science-related at all in high school.</p>
<p>It makes no difference. You won’t even take Biochemistry until Junior year in college because you need to have organic chemistry first to understand the chemistry of carbon based molecules and macromolecules. Your first year in College you will likely be taking general chem and general biology.</p>
<p>I hope you are aware of the poor job prospects and earnings potential for science grads unless you go to professional school such as med or pharm.</p>
<p>Geology from what I’ve heard does pretty well SSChoe. The majority of it comes from the oil/petroleum/commodities sector, which is cyclical, but currently is in a boom phase. But there is also work in the environmental sector of Geology. The good thing about Geology, is that it combines all of the Hard sciences, and life science. Many people think, its all about rocks, but it is beyond that. So take geology into consideration.</p>
<p>except the OP is asking about majoring in biochemistry</p>
<p>Geology may be better, but chemistry, biology, and biochemistry are the sciences with poor job and career prospects.</p>
<p>Chemical engineering (or, as rebranded by some departments, chemical and biomolecular engineering) has significantly better job and career prospects than chemistry, biology, and biochemistry.</p>
<p>Well I really want to go to med school, however a fall back plan would be nice when you consider the admit rate of med schools recently. Perhaps I should look into (bio)chemical engineering, that way there is a greater security in the future.</p>
<p>Biochem will allow you to go for medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, optometry, occupational therapy, and if all else fails you can get a MS in accounting or finance. </p>
<p>The trouble with engineering and science to a lesser extent is that it is so rigorous that it tends to lower your GPA making it more difficult to get into Med school. A recent study found that science and engineering grads typically had a 1 point lower GPA on average than BA grads. However you have better job prospects with a 2.0 GPA and an engineering BS than a 4.0 and a biochemistry BS or almost any BA.</p>
<p>Actually, [url=<a href=“http://www.gradeinflation.com/tcr2010grading.pdf]this”>http://www.gradeinflation.com/tcr2010grading.pdf]this</a> paper<a href=“linked%20from%20%5Burl=http://www.gradeinflation.com%5DNational%20Trends%20in%20Grade%20Inflation,%20American%20Colleges%20and%20Universities%5B/url%5D”>/url</a> indicates that the GPA difference between different major categories is more like the following, using science as the baseline:</p>
<p>Humanities - Science ~= 0.3
Social Studies - Science ~= 0.2
Engineering - Science ~= 0.2</p>
<p>(However, engineering majors typically take a lot of science courses in their first two years.)</p>
<p>Of course, this may vary from school to school. But it seems that this trend is not well known among pre-meds, since so many pre-meds major in biology (being a science, the above data hints that doing so would be bad for GPA, as well as not having good job and career prospects if one does not get into medical school). Pre-law students may know better, since English and political science are popular majors for them.</p>