<p>I am a freshman currently deciding whether to major in chemistry or biochemistry. With both of these, I would double major in math. </p>
<p>I haven't had much experience with biochemistry, so I am not sure if I would like it or not. I do love chemistry and math, but it would be much harder to double major in these than it would be to double major in math and biochemistry. Chemistry is by far my favorite science out of chemistry, biology, and physics, although I do fine in all of them.</p>
<p>Also, if you are to get a degree in biochemistry, can you still get a graduate degree in chemistry? Or is biochemistry too specific of an undergraduate major to branch out to a field of general chemistry?</p>
<p>Thanks for input in advance!</p>
<p>You can get your degree in biochemistry if you want to do grad schol in chem, as well as the vice versa. But in graduate school you will be doing a more specialized route instead of “general chemistry”. Organic, inorganic, biochem, environmental, etc.</p>
<p>If you really love chemistry, then you should major in chemistry.</p>
<p>What is the differences in the courses? Does the biochemistry major incorporate more biology classes and would you be interested in taking those? Is the biochemistry major in the biology department or the chemistry department? That will also likely make a difference in the emphasis that the major has. Why don’t you take a biochemistry course to see if you like it? The beginning courses of both majors are likely to be similar (gen chem, physics, o-chem), and then you could take a biochemistry course to see if you would like it.</p>
<p>Ctesiphon–good to know. Yeah, that is what I meant–to go onto another sub-field of chemistry, other than biochemistry. Just poor wording on my part.</p>
<p>baktrax–the biochemistry degree is within the chemistry department, which is ideal for me. The main differences are that the chemistry degree requires a lot more lab courses, analytical chemistry, and inorganic chemistry. Biochemistry doesn’t require those, but it does require the intro year-long biology class (which I have from AP credit) and about 3 more biochemistry courses than the chemistry degree. I wouldn’t like biochemistry if it was more biology than chemistry, so that worries me. The beginning courses are similar, it is just a problem for next semester because the chemistry degree requires a different ochecm (one specifically for chemistry majors).</p>
<p>How much more difficult would it be to double major in chemistry and math vs. biochemistry and math? Is there a different number of courses required that makes it much more difficult to fit in? It sounds like you want to major in chemistry, but perhaps the lab courses are making you hesitant?</p>
<p>What would you like to do after undergrad? If you want to go to graduate school in chemistry, then the extra lab courses may be beneficial because it will help you develop more lab skills, which can help you to attain research or internship experience in chemistry. Or do you want to do something with math (hence the double major)?</p>
<p>depends on which you like better. i myself would op for gen chem then do grad school such as pharmacy or work.</p>
<p>baktrax, you are basically hitting the nail on the head. Yes, more courses are required for the chemistry major and the lab classes are making me hesitant. Yes, I think that I would like to do more of the applied math route in either of these, but I was trying to leave more options open for graduate school and I feel that I would probably like either physical or inorganic chemistry more than biochemistry. As of now, an applied math graduate degree is more appealing to me. I am just trying to decide what to couple with it. It is probably the other way around for most people.</p>
<p>In my opinion, there’s no real point in double majoring in something that you don’t like, especially if you want to go into math. Would you still be able to graduate on time with a double major in chemistry? If you really enjoy chemistry, then it may not be too much of a burden. If the differences in courses is significant enough to make one major much easier to double major in, then that leads me to believe that it’s not a good substitute, but it’s hard to make that judgement without knowing the curriculum.</p>
<p>I think that if you want to go into chemistry, major in chemistry. If you want to go into math, major in math. If you can fit in a double major without too much sacrifice, then do that. If you can’t fit in the double major, it would probably be better to just take courses of interest (perhaps, adding up to a minor, perhaps not) or courses that would be of particular use to you, then trying to squeeze in a major that you’re not interested in and whose field you don’t want to go into. You will likely have extra time to get research or other experience in your field that would be beneficial on grad school applications. You can also use that extra time and experience to figure out what field you really want to go into, what degree you need to get there, and what research you want to do, if you do decide on grad school.</p>
<p>If you like being employed and having enough money for food, clothing, and shelter I’d avoid chemistry, biochemistry, biology etc.</p>