<p>first of all, I can't find the website for WashU's undergrad Biochem major, when I google it, I get the graduate program for their medical school, but is that right?</p>
<p>Anyways, I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with combining PNP and Biochem. I really want to study neuroscience and think PNP would provide excellent research opportunities as well, but I also want to pursue higher studies in a core science, like bio, chem, or biochem. </p>
<p>Would you recommend trying to double major in these two, or would that be too difficult? Would it be better to major in one and minor in the other? If so, which would be the major and which should be the minor?</p>
<p>I would be a little surprised if you could minor in a subject like biochem. Not saying for sure, but to actually get to biochem takes so many prerequisites and then the courses themselves, it seems like it could only be a major.</p>
<p>I suspect that majoring in Chem/Biochem would occupy so much of your time that you’d find it difficult to take all the neurosci-related courses you’d need to get decent exposure to this exciting field. Thus, you may find that your best bet would be to major in PNP. Furthermore, because PNP is a diverse program you ultimately may decide to develop a secondary interest other than biochemistry. </p>
<p>Talk to the PNP undergrad program advisor (Kimberly Mount, email: <a href=“mailto:kmount@wustl.edu”>kmount@wustl.edu</a>).</p>
<p>thanks for all your help!
I was actually told that with a CN track in PNP, it’d be relatively easier to double major with Bio, but was wondering if the same was true with Biochem. Thank you!</p>
<p>There is also a biochemistry track via the biology department, the requirements for which I was able to finish in 3 years, leaving plenty of time to take other courses that just interest me. Actually, I think it has gotten easier by dropping the requirement to take pchem. Since I’m primarily a biologist, this was the best route for me. However, I have many friends who did the biochemistry major through the chemistry department and finished all the requirements with plenty of time to spare. Either way, biochem is very demanding with difficult and rigorous required coursework.</p>
<p>I would also wonder whether the PNP program is a good fit for you if you are strongly interested in neuroscience. PNP is interdisciplinary and truly a liberal arts program that draws from the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. I have had friends who ended up disliking the PNP major because they wanted to do neuroscience but found the philosophy courses to be a drag. If neuroscience is your primary interest, then the neuroscience track in the biology department is a better option. Neurophysiology lab, one of the best neuroscience courses at WashU, more or less only enrolls students that are in the bio neurosci track. Note, however, that the neurosci track requires an application and is very selective (only 28 students per year).</p>
<p>As for research, you can find opportunities regardless of your major. For example, I briefly worked in a neuropathology lab even before having taken any neuroscience courses whatsoever. While it is possible that PIs affiliated with PNP might preferentially fill lab spots with PNP majors, I’ll just point out that the vast majority of neuroscience PIs are not PNP-affiliated.</p>
<p>So if neuroscience is your thing, don’t think that PNP is the only/best option.</p>
<p>Wow, they dropped the PChem requirement for a biochem major? What is this world coming to?? Slackers!</p>
<p>On a related note, since you are all too young to know this most likely, the most popular bumper sticker when the American Chemical Society did stuff for their 100th anniversary (1976 I think) was “HONK IF YOU PASSED PCHEM”. P.S. - Not many people honked.</p>
<p>Wow, thank you for opening my eyes to the neuro track in Biology.
Do you know how competitive the neuro track is? That definitely sounds like a great option and I’ll keep it in mind. PNP+ Bio sounds safe because there isn’t a quota, but the neuro track with bio sounds a little better, but again, the quota scares me :P.</p>
<p>Pchem was among the hardest classes I’ve ever taken. Even with a study group that counted a future pchemist among our ranks. Passed, but those two semesters dented my GPA :(</p>
<p>I’ve heard that the neuro track can be pretty competitive since the number of spots open is very limited. But if you do get in, I hear its an amazing track to be on. I was a TA for a couple freshman last year who were sweating getting into the track, but I think it will be fine if you keep your GPA (really) high and start building bridges with the neuro professors early. There is also a student group called Co-SIGN (College student interest group in neuroscience) that would be a good one in which to get involved.</p>
<p>thank you for your advice!
Since we don’t have to declare majors until sophomore year, and I already selected Mind, Brain, Behavior as my first choice freshman program, I think I’ll wait and see what my GPA looks like at the end of freshman year.</p>
<p>The Neuroscience track is very competitive, but you can take all the courses without being in the track. It would be really easy to be a General Bio major, or even a Biology/Biochemistry major and still take all the Neuroscience courses as electives, where they would show up on your transcript and count EXACTLY the same as having the actual major on your diploma.</p>