I’m thinking about majoring in one of these. I’m still considering med school, but as a backup I’d like to go into research. I have a general idea of what I want to do, but I’d like more information. I really like learning about genetics(epigenetics is awesome), cancer, cell signaling, etc. From what I understand, biochemistry is more about how things work on a molecular level, while MBB focuses more on these things on a cellular level.
I’m thinking biochemistry because from what I’ve been told you’re more versatile and there’s a better job market. While I think I’d enjoy learning about DNA/RNA and the genetics behind things, money is a factor too. I would go on to get a Master’s degree, possibly farther with school if I really enjoy it.
I realize these things are interdisciplinary.
What kinds of research can I do with a biochem degree as opposed to an MBB degree? I’d really like to know more about the differences between them before picking. How are the job markets?
I’m at Rutgers btw, and I live in NJ.
They’re both practically the same thing and you’ll have the same prospects with both.
Would one have significant benefits over the other?
Honestly, in my opinion, in undergraduate you would be better off going in general biology then specializing later on in a masters program. Reason being is because you will have a more general skill set and probably be able to get better grades (which you need to get in med school). Although it won’t be a bad choice to do either Molecular bio/Biochemistry or pure Biochemistry, because the only real difference will be about 3-5 classes in GenBio,BioChem, and Molecular Biology.
Do what you want, It really isn’t that important in undergraduate.
Ultimablade-- That was helpful. I looked at the courses for molecular bio and it doesn’t seem that bad. You think jobwise I’d be better off with a general bio degree + masters than molecular bio/biochem +masters? I’m also concerned about salary (med school aside). Is there a good place I can learn about this?
Also, thanks for the responses. I do appreciate it.
@dsoms27337, I suggest http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Molecular_Biologist/Salary (Already loaded molecular biology for you) as an entry into looking at salaries of professions and also BLS (http://data.bls.gov/search/query/results?cx=013738036195919377644%3A6ih0hfrgl50&q=molecular+biologist) is a good site.
To be honest, the salary for science in general is horrible for the amount of work put into getting a degree until you get into Phd territory. Wages for science majors in other countries are also much lower, for this reason many science companies are hiring Indian and Chinese workers and bringing them here on a work Visa and/or outsourcing, further decreasing salary and jobs. This should NOT discourage you from science though with the US becoming more solitary and China becoming more powerful as the years pass I can see science work increasing to what it was during the Cold War, at least in weapons and defense research, as well as new jobs in the oil fields and increased need for environmental research. Not to mention plans on taxing outsourced companies to oblivion. So by the time you are out of academia there will probably be plenty of jobs available in science with a fair wage increase. But don’t expect to be making as much as the financial adviser at the bank. Still, to maximize wage and respect I suggest getting a Phd even in the ideal economy listed above.
As far as your major choice goes, I really can’t answer that. The wages are very similar and the only real difference is the work you are best suited for in the outside world (and there is quite a bit of interdisciplinary researchers out there right now working in a field they didn’t major in anyway) and what you enjoy studying more. You expressed an interest in Genetics so Molecular Biology and Biochemistry would be a good fit. Also, you can major in General Biology in Undergraduate the go for a Masters/Phd in a specialized field (Marine,Molecular,etc) which is actually fairly common.
Good luck 
Ultimablade: As I read your posts #4 and #7, I couldn’t help but wonder, are you a 15 year old home schooled high school sophmore, yes?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/1763715-thinking-about-early-college.html
@Jugulator20, Obviously that means I have no idea what I’m talking about, yes?
Also why didn’t you add anything of substance to the discussion as well? I’m sure someone of your keen observational skills knows something I don’t.
I realize this is a little old and I don’t have any input… but I just wanted to say we’re in the same boat! I’m trying to decide between biology and biochem and came to the same conclusions. I’ve heard and seen many times that biochem has more job opportunities, and gives you better/more employable skills because of all the math and chemistry, but I’d likely get worse grades in that which would be bad for med. school. I’m most interested in human health related genetics. I’m considering medical school because I’d like to earn a decent amount of money and all the negative talk about the amount of research science jobs scares me. But I don’t really want to be a doctor (a medical doctor–I would get a PhD if I didn’t do med school).