Biochemistry V. Chemistry Major for Neurochemistry or Organic chemist graduate school

Graduate School
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<p>I enjoy organic chesmitry and I know that it has many biological implications. I am thinking about going to graduate school for either organic chemistry or neurochemistry. I am interested in the research of the chemical aspects of the brain that relate to psychological disorders. Chemistry major implies inorganic chemistry which might not be directly related to my interests, but can give me a broader view of how chemicals work. Biochemistry will allow me to understand more about biology, obviously. If I am interested in the relationship between pharmaceuticals such as organic coompounds and ones already existing in the brain, which major would be more suitable for my future studies? &lt;/p>

<p>There is also a chance I will just study Organic Chemistry; however my main fear of Organic chem grad study is that it will be a science very much in a vacuum. As much as enjoy the structures and reactions of organic molecules I would like to go beyond that, so do many organic chemistry research programs offer a non-traditional approach to org. chem, such as the importance of org to biology?</p>

<p>And to my point...Biochem or Chem. Someone spoke against biochem because it is so interdisciplinary, but I feel like it is a good and challenging major, though it might me odd to be alongside so many pre-meds. What do you all think?</p>

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<p>Sorry if this complicates matters further, but you might want to look into Pharmacology. Your description of your passions suggest that Pharmacology might be a better fit than Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry. Every field is interdisciplinary, certainly biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, molecular biology, cellular biology and many others include distinct methodologies as well as specific topics. I certainly wouldn't dismiss a field based on its utility in a number of settings. Nobody likes premeds; the stereotypical sniveling, grade groveling pre med turns us all off. You will have to deal with this while you are in college but not in graduate school. In summary, don't let the presence of premeds deter you from your passions. No matter what field you choose, your thesis topic will decide what you do and what implications your work has. Best of luck.</p>