<p>I have recently declared my Chemistry major (I was formerlly an English major) and am in my third year of college. I though that I would be interested in the purely chemical and physical aspects of chemistry but as my first semester of organic chemistry continues I am becoming more interested in the importance of chemistry in biological functions. I am interested in the chemistry of the brain and also the function of synthesized chemicals on body (not necessarily just the brain). I actually haven't even finished an intro. to bio course yet. I believe these are sincere interests but I am not sure how fleeting they are since I have only an idea of it and no interaction. Also, I just don't see the beauty of the really hard side of chemistry, okay so mostly it is me v. mathematics. I don't know I am so confused. To sum it up, should I take a bio course to test my expectations or should I just stick to a general chemistry plan (then perhaps learning bio as a grad??)? What sorts of grad programs are there for the synthesis of chemical? for brain and chemicals?</p>
<p>Chemistry is considered the central science so most undergraduate chemistry programs will require you to take 2 semesters of intro biology, 1 or 2 semesters of biochemistry, and 2 or more semesters of physics. So with that said, you can do 1 of 2 things. Switch your major to biochemistry which would require you to take the majority of the requirements for a chemistry major and the majority of the requirements for a biology major. Or stick with chemistry and take a few extra biology electives.</p>
<p>If you are serious about your interests in biochemistry then I would suggest you change your major to biochemistry. It's not a huge difference from the chemistry major but you'll have more options when applying to various graduate programs because it's a more versatile major (you can go into biology or chemistry or medicine).</p>
<p>I did biochemistry in undergrad on the ACS (American Chemical Society) track so I also had to complete all the requirements for the chemistry major as well as the biology major.</p>
<p>Oh and for your second question... I would suggest that you look at biochemistry or neuroscience programs. Then find faculty members with research that may interest you.</p>
<p>Let me recommend you look into "statistical thermodynamics." Essentially, you can be a chemist who uses purely physical properties (many of them quantum properties) in analyzing how reactions happen. This is where I feel the most fertile research in biochemistry is really happening. </p>
<p>No protein knowledge needed ;)</p>
<p>Above- surely you must be joking. The OP stated it was student versus math- my stat... therm... course as an undergrad eons ago was taught by the head of the theoretical chemistry institute of my undergrad U and was pure symbols, all math, no relationship to the real world, much less biological chemistry (I hated it). Now there is integration with biological chemistry within chemistry depts, at UW- Madison, for example. Wish I were getting my chemistry degree now instead of in the dark ages of biological sciences.</p>