<p>I am debating. People say that biochem is a very hard major, and that biology would be easier. However, if I were to major in biology, I would end up with 17+ credit hours per quarter (each quarter is about 2.5 months, like fall, winter, spring..) and it would take up a lot of time in class.</p>
<p>If I major in biochem, I would only need to take about 13-14 credits each term, so I would have plenty of time to do research. And the research position that I have is biochemistry as well, so not biology, so that might go well with a biochem major. </p>
<p>However, I'm not a very smart person, I learn really slowly, and need to get at least 9.5 hours of sleep each night to be able to focus during the day. If I get just 8 hours, I will seriously not be able to focus in class at all. </p>
<p>Would a biochemistry major be harder or easier for me?</p>
<p>Also, I took a year of calculus already and found it easy. I am also planning on taking calculus based physics this coming school year (fall quarter starts at the end of september). I have taken gen chem and got A's on the last two quarters of it, but in the first quarter I got a C. </p>
<p>People say that biochem major is reeeeeally hard. But, like, what makes it "so difficult"? I am math oriented, so would biochem major be an easier major for me than biology? I really want to focus a lot of time on research and EC's so that I can get into an MSTP program.</p>
<p>I barely understand credit hours for a semester so I definitely don’t understand credit hours per quarter, but putting that aside, biochem, micro, or biology are all equally acceptable. Is it that bio requires an above average course load or biochem requires below average? Where does micro fit into all of this? </p>
<p>Does your biochem major require you to take physical chemistry? This tends to be a GPA killer and if you “aren’t a very smart person” I would avoid it just in case you do struggle with it. Major in microbio.</p>
<p>"but couldn’t that be satisfied by taking a biochem class…no need to major in it?? "</p>
<p>I think it is more than one since current MCAT covers a bit already from what I understand. </p>
<p>OTOH, I am not sure Microbiology as a major is a big deal for MCAT.</p>
<p>"I would be taking less credits if I am a biochem major than if I am a bio major. "</p>
<p>You do have premed requirements in addition to your major. So you need to evaluate what you can take along with the premed requirements that appeals to you to determine your major.</p>
<p>What are the actual differences between the majors? At my school, biochemistry and biology were actually very similar majors. Look at the specific differences (not just the number of credit hours) and see which major would interest you more. Then major in that one. If you decide to major in biology and you feel like you want a little more biochemistry, take an extra biochem or chem course as an elective or something.</p>
<p>What makes the requirements between the two majors so different that you would have to take an extra class or two every quarter if you majored in biology?</p>
<p>Which major is harder or easier depends heavily on what courses you would have to take. I was a biochem major, but it’s not like ALL of my courses were about biochemistry.</p>
<p>Yes, physical chemistry is required. But I will be taking calc based physics already this year, and my senior year (next year) i would only need to take a low number of classes because I will already have my premed requirements done. I would need to take barely a full time schedule with a biochem major. It is still full time, but its 1 credit over the minimum credits required to maintain a full time status. I will already be done with premed classes and I am already interested in taking calc based physics this year since I did well in calculus and liked calculus. If I choose a biology major, then i will take the amount of credits thats over the average amount of a full time student (the low amount in biochem major is not what I mean when i say average amount).</p>
<p>As with any Bio, Biochem is difficult because of vocabulary (I believe from my D’s comments). Vocabulary seems to be the most difficult part of most classes in Med. School…even for a one who is having very easy time with foreign languages …and knows 3 of them (various degree of proficiency)</p>
<p>I’m a Biochem major at my school and the added classes of the BC major are what makes it difficult (Requires Biochem 1 and 2, Analytical Chem, Adv Inorganic, Physical Chem, Calc 3)… The only different things that Bio offers are required Evolution classes and more flexibility when it comes to choosing advanced courses. If you’re worried about difficulty then you should probably stick with bio.</p>
<p>I am going to be a junior this school year (starts in a few weeks, since it’s on quarter system), and I have already taken a year of gen chem and a yer of calculus. This year I will be taking ochem, calc based physics, and bio. Senior year, I will be completing the rest of the upper division requirements that would be required for any major, whether, I choose bio or biochem. But with biochem, I would be taking less classes during my senior year than with bio. But people say bio is easier</p>
<p>Upper Bio was not easy for my D. at all.
On the other hand, Chem. is her thing, but she did not take any beyond the first class, that she ended up hired as an SI. This was enough for her Chem. background at Med. School. Anything Chem. related has been easy. Not so much classes related to various organ systems that require ton of new vocabulary. It does not mean that she failed anything, she still would get an A, jsut had to work harder. Again, it depends on a person. </p>
<p>But it sounds like all set with your schedule, so the issue is resolved.</p>