<p>Is it possible for a life science major to get into a graduate program in a physical science?</p>
<p>I'm a third-year microbiology major, but I want to do a graduate program (PhD) in chemistry or biochemistry.</p>
<p>I did well (top of the class) in my math and physics classes but not so well in my chemistry classes (A-/B+s) (I didn't care or have an interest then).</p>
<p>How would I do this? Should I go for a terminal masters first in Chemistry before applying for the PhD? So far, I've found two dedicated terminal masters programs in chemistry in the US, UCSD and Boston University.</p>
<p>If I may ask, why are you trying to get a PhD in Chemistry if you didn’t care or have an interest in your classes in those subjects? </p>
<p>I’m a chemistry major, but I’m switching to the life sciences-- and most faculty I’ve talked to say that this is preferred over the alternative, which is your case-- not to say that it’s impossible. </p>
<p>Others can disagree, but if I were you, I wouldn’t waste time on the terminal masters. I would take some advanced level chemistry courses, possibly some grad courses if you can, in the fields of chemistry that you are interested in. If you find that, as with your previous chemistry experience, you do not enjoy the subject matter in those classes, then it’s probably time to rethink your plan. </p>
<p>If you do like them, then find a lab to do some basic research in those fields. You can work as a tech, but if you are really serious about it you might even volunteer in a lab to learn some basic chemistry techniques… mass spec, organic synthesis (a personal yuck here), columns, HPLC and other spectroscopic techniques- maybe even crystallography if you are lucky. Amass as many of these as possible, and you’ll be in good shape. Good luck!</p>
<p>I’ve been working in a molecular biology lab and I got interested in chemistry after seeing how important it is for biology. I won’t be able to take any chemistry courses at my university though because I don’t have the pre-requisites for them and I won’t have any time because of requirements for my microbiology major.</p>
<p>I’m sure it’s useful for some situations, but I really don’t know. As far as your dilemma, I would definitely suggest working in a chem lab, but it sounds like you would be just fine staying in “biology”. Most biology departments have very biochemical labs that you can join as a grad student, if you’re looking for bio-related chemical applications. The lines are fuzzy and only getting fuzzier, especially between biochem and biology… There are profs in the chemistry and biology departments at my school working on the same types of things, using the same approaches… their respective grad students on those projects would be equipped with the same set of technical skills upon graduating, I imagine. The only difference is that their diplomas will say two different departments.</p>
<p>“I won’t be able to take any chemistry courses at my university though because I don’t have the pre-requisites for them”</p>
<p>If you don’t meet the prerequisites just to take upper division chemistry courses it seems unlikely that they would accept you into a Ph.D. chemistry program. I agree that the lines that separate some fields are fuzzy, so you can probably stay in your current major. However, if you really want to switch to chemistry, you could probably take a year or so to get experience in a lab before applying, and I’m sure some schools have programs for people in your situation. (As a similar example, I know there are programs for those who did chemistry in undergrad to complete a physics Ph.D.)</p>