I’m going to be a sophomore. I currently haven’t declared a major yet, but am thinking about a BA in chemistry. However, I am really interested in genetics/molecular biology research. I realize genetics is a really huge discipline. Anyway, will I be completely unprepared for a career in this sort of thing with a chemistry degree?
You can always double major.
About the only thing my school has to offer which is relevant would be biology which I don’t think is doable.
A BA in Chemistry can be pretty light for good graduate school prep. What about the BS?
I was planning on taking similar, if not the same courses, just instead of calculus-based physics (required for the BS), algebra-based. Also, I figured the BS would leave more open for biology electives?
Would the BS make more sense?
For a research career, yes.
You will need a graduate degree for research.
At http://bmcdb.ucdavis.edu/admissions/index.html is an example of how a chemistry degree qualifies you to apply to a molecular biology graduate program. “Prerequisites include calculus; statistics; physics; general chemistry; organic chemistry; biology; biochemistry; genetics,” says the site. Obviously, if you can, take your intended graduate program’s prerequisite courses as an undergraduate. In some graduate programs you can take the program’s prerequisite courses after being admitted to the program, although that doesn’t seem the case with the one I have cited.
If within genetics, you’re interested in genomics, then programming experience is important.
Requirements for “genetics” graduate program can be more general than those for molecular biology. See, e.g., UC Davis: http://igg.ucdavis.edu/admissions/index.html
"While most students entering the Integrative Genetics and Genomics program have an undergraduate or master’s degree in a traditional biology major (such as genetics, biology or biochemistry), students from other fields such as computer science or statistics are also accepted into the program.
Demonstrated scholarly achievement and evidence of a strong aptitude for scientific research are important criteria in the decision to accept an applicant. For these reasons, the IGG does not have formal course requisites for entry into the group. However, previous coursework in chemistry, genetics, molecular biology, statistics, and biochemistry will expedite students’ completion of their degrees."