<p>What are the opportunities of choosing biochemistry instead of a biology or chemistry course? If you are studying biochem, can you tell me why you find it rewarding and why did you choose this path?</p>
<p>I chose biochem as my major because I plan to go to dental school and it covers my physics, calculus(and more), chemistry and biology all in one major.. so my major covers all of the dental school prereqs and I don't have to worry about taking extra classes. </p>
<p>You sound a bit confused.. you don't just take biochem instead of chemistry or biology... with biochem you have to take 2 years of chemistry (1 year gen. chem and 1 year organic chem) before you can take it. It is an extremely hard course and a very hard major so it looks good when applying to grad/professional schools.</p>
<p>Thanks burger09! I am talking about majors :). Do you enjoy your experience so far as a biochem major? Any regrets?</p>
<p>I like it, I think its pretty interesting actually.. the only regret I have is that I don't get to party or go to bars on weeknights like a lot of other majors(but if you are in college for that reason, you shouldn't be there) I definitely still make time for fun, you can get by with studying around 3-4 hours a day I'd say(sometimes more sometimes less), which leaves you more than enough time to go out and have a fun with friends, just don't expect to party/drink every night if you want good grades..</p>
<p>I just think its a bunch of crap when you see people who don't have friends or don't have a social life and blame it on their classes being so demanding.. that is far from true, all it takes is a little time management. I think the main reason they don't have a social life is because they don't put an effort to meet new people or try to have a good time.</p>
<p>Do you think biochem is manageable with a part-time job? I will be working on campus when I become a freshman so..
This probably differs frm school to school, but do you think biochem can hold a good GPA since the course is demanding? And what do you think the average GPA is like for somewhat hardworking student?
I really like biochem but I am kinda clueless what the major entails so sorry to ask so many questions :)</p>
<p>Hey, I'm a member of this forum because I like talking about this stuff.. remember, biochemistry isn't something you usually bring up at a party so its nice talking about it to somebody, ask all the questions you want! </p>
<p>Anyways, the average GPA ranges soley from person to person and the amount of work you put in. Any gpa is possible, even a 0.0 :D But I think if you are a hardworking student and have a job even a 3.7 isn't out of the question. I'd say a more average gpa for a biochem student is a 3.2 or so(as a junior or senior). At my school you have to maintain a 2.9 to even be able to be in the major. I don't think you have too much to worry about, I didn't really work my first two years but I'm going to be working next year and I'll be taking upper division courses like biochemistry and physical chemistry.</p>
<p>Thanks burgler09!
What is your opinion on the research opportunities available for a biochem major vs a bio major? And about the research opportunities outside the campus like internships during summer?
Are you involved in any research work yourself right now?</p>
<p>In my opinion I think you would have more opportunity as a biochem major because in labs the chemistry techniques are used more and you will have a better understanding of labs. What do you plan to go into after college? Biochem major will help separate you from the pack when applying to grad schools, there are sooo many bio majors out there :P I am actually looking to get an internship at a drug research facility this summer, I went out there yesterday but the person I had to talk to wasn't in until monday. I'm really hoping that works out or I'm stuck working the usual 50 hours a week in the factories :D</p>
<p>Good luck with your internship! I hope u get it.
I am dreaming of entering a MD/PhD program and I want to go into research in the future. Ah dreams :)</p>
<p>oh yes, dreams that are only 4 years away! A little hard work can accomplish anything at this age.. this is why its such an interesting time of life. I'm sure you'll do just fine as a biochem major, I think you'll like it a lot.</p>
<p>And thank you, I really hope I get it too :)</p>
<p>I took intro biochemistry and it was the worst course ever. It's all rote memorization. I don't know about upper levels.</p>
<p>Well we're talking about majoring in biochem Russell, but yes, biochem is a lot more memorization than a lot of the other chem courses such as inorganic chem, organic chem, and physical chem. That being said, the upper division course will also have a lot more applied knowledge than an intro course because you are using information you have gained over the last 2+ years of chemistry.</p>