<p>I am currently deciding to change my major to Biochem/chem. I am kinda confused as to whether I should change it to Biochem/cell biology or Biochem/chem. I want to know what is the difference between the two majors. Is one of them harder than the other? Since Biochem/cell bio is impacted, does it mean that it is easier or harder? I am going crazy here. can someone please clarify this for me :X</p>
<p>I will try to help. From what I know, impacted does not mean anything besides the fact that it’s popular. If you compare the two majors and their requirements, Biochemistry/Chemistry is a lot harder than Biochem/Bio. Biochem/Chem requires higher level math, higher level physics, and a lot of labs, also taking into account a year of organic chemistry and physical chemistry. That sounds like definitely harder to me.</p>
<p>You can always have your major Biochem/chem first and fulfil lower-division requirements and then try to change into biochem/bio if you want.</p>
<p>Biochem/chem requirements are more intense and cover much more chemistry than Biochem/cell bio. In my opinion, the chem classes are also significantly more interesting than the bio classes. Instead of choosing one over the other based on their relative difficulty you should think about your future academic/professional goals. If you want to go to medical school, I would suggest going the bio route but if you want to go to pharmacy school chem would be better. These two majors have pretty different focuses. Biochem/cell bio deals mostly with protein biochemistry while Biochem/chem is mostly a small molecule/organic synthesis type deal. It really comes down to what your interests are. I started out thinking that I wanted to work more in the bio side of the biochem spectrum but then realized that I really loved chem after taking some classes. I would suggest taking the harder physics and math series just to keep your options open before you decide. Feel free to PM me with any questions, I was in a similar situation last year. Hope this helps(:</p>
<p>I got a question about this also. For biochemistry/chem, how much does it focus on stuff like quantum mechanism and such that can be classified as physics? Because I took chem6AH last quarter and it wasn’t like chemistry I have ever taken before. That’s why I am considering doing the biology selection process thing and just transfer into biology because that kind of chemistry scared the living daylight out of me (they were doing some level of integration that even my math class wasn’t doing…)</p>
<p>PHYS 2D is quantum mechanic and P-Chem (CHEM 126-127) is very math based as well. Other than that, you are also required to take O-Chem (140A-C) which is very qualitative and the biochemistry sequence (CHEM 114A-C) which is pretty much equivalent to the one you would be taking as a biochem/bio major. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. It really depends on if you like biology or chemistry better.</p>
<p>Thank you operaticmimosa and chismoso 
How hard is quantum mechanics? Is it better to take the course in summer? On an average how many hours/week does one need to study for physics? Is it going to be more theory-based than calculations? Also, how hard is pchem going to be? In that case, is it better to be biochem/cellbio? I haven’t really decided if I want to go to med/pharm school. Right now, i want to pick a major that I would excel in.</p>
<p>The physics 1 series is more concepts based while the 2 series is more calculation intensive. P-chem is generally thought to be one of the more difficult classes. Usually people who are are good at math excel at p-chem. It is really hard to gauge which major you would excel in. That really depends on your interests and skills. Bio is less intensive but also taught in a much more boring way (in my opinion). To me, that was a strong enough motivator to get me to switch into the chem department. It really depends on the person. Maybe if you listed some topics you are interested in, classes you have enjoyed or post undergrad goals you could get a better recommendation.</p>
<p>Also, remember that impacted also means you have a time window on entering into biochem/bio! You can only apply after 3 quarters of attendance and no more than 6 quarters at UCSD, and finish all the lower divs of your desired major to up your chances. Impacted may just mean popular, but it also means more restrictions.</p>
<p>If you still have a hard time deciding, take the harder version of each series, but switch into biochem/bio asap. You can switch out of the bio department if you desire (to biochem/chem), but the change doesn’t work the other way around without going through one tedious process!</p>
<p>@momosky Thank you That is exactly what I am thinking.
I was preparing my schedule for spring quarter. I have finished OChem 1 and 2. According to the flowchart for chem/biochem, I have 4 courses to finish for the 2nd year - Chem 100A, chem 143A,physics 2D and chem 140C. Is it possible/advisable to take chem 100A,chem 143A and chem 140C together? Or else I was thinking to take physics 2D and chem 100A over the summer.<br>
What do you think?</p>