which should I do? pros...cons??

Thanks

11/11/2005 12:45:00 AM

Biochem is good for anything you want to do in life sciences after graduation. Medical school, graduate school for biology, biochem, microbiology, genetics...etc...is all possible with biochem. I think it looks a little better on the resume as well...but I cant tell you that for sure.

Only problem is that biochemistry has the reputation for being the hardest major in CALS....of course my roommate is a microbiology major, and that sounds pretty hard too, and he actually has to take more major classes...which sucks. You have to take a few classes that are hard as shit in biochem, but not as many random ass science classes.

I recommend looking at the descriptions on the cals websites and deciding what you like better, then go talk to the advisors. I also wouldnt decide based on what sounds easier. Look at the classes and decide based on what you like to study more, cause that makes it easier in the long run, even if you have to suffer through a class or 2.

11/11/2005 1:11:54 AM

I personally didn't like the biological science major at State because it's way to general, you never really take anything indepth. There are no true "majors" classes. You have to take p-chem for biochem too, just keep that in mind. I know a lot of people who started out as biochem majors and then switched to either bio. or micro after the first majors class, BCH 451 is tough. Other than the specific majors courses the microbiology and biochem majors are pretty much the same. Go talk to Dr. Knopp about being a biochem major (he's the coordinator and advisor for the major), he can tell you exactly what is required of you. If I did just bio I would add a minor or two (like biotechnology).

11/11/2005 1:32:07 AM

One question to ask: What do you want to do after you finish your undergrad degree?

You can be a biology major and can do most things a biochem major can do. You can take a lot of the same courses, do a good bit of the same lab work, etc. However, there is no guarantee/you aren't "forced" to acquire that knowledge as a biology major. The biochemistry major intergrates a lot more lab experience and hard coursework than does biology. If you want to get a master's degree in bioinformatics, biochemistry or want to move on to PhD/med school/etc., you'll have a good jump start with biochemistry.

11/11/2005 6:26:53 AM

i switched from BCH to BLS

basically the same, just depends on how good you are at chemistry and biochem.
I personally hate chemistry, which is why I switched

11/11/2005 9:48:32 AM

well being a former BCH major i can give you a bit of insight into what the future may hold for you

in my opinion when you are a BCH major you are 1/60 and when you are a BLS major you are around 1/500 (not sure how big their class is but i know they walk in the one of the large conference rooms in the mckimmon center for graduation). i agree with the other posts that BCH is the hardest CALS major and it is more concentrated that the general BLS degree. it involves taking more advanced classes that require mathematics based curriculum- such as pchem. it is quite common for bio majors to detest math- so that is often why you will here BCH majors complain about pchem- b/c of the physics concepts involved. the 5 yr masters program in BCH requires you to take the upper level calculus' and physics- along with the two part pchem. i was a transfer for engineering so i had taken up to DeQ along with the PHY205 & PHY208. i did not get my masters but if i went back it would only take me about a year to do it since i was on the right PHY and MA track to begin with. you may want to consider this if you early in your college career if you are considering BCH.

i say this b/c you will realize when you get out if you ONLY have a BS degree then you will not find many jobs that you are satisfied with. i hear alot of BLS and BCH majors that graduate and are pissed to find out most jobs are tech jobs and you either have to work your way up slowly or go back to get your masters or PhD. advisors may tell you differently- especially when transferring- but really take it from a graduate who is out here with a 4 yr degree. that is not saying you will not luck out and find a great job. but most students coming right out that expect on getting some awesome high paying job don't- it is not the same as engineering just because the BCH major is hard and demanding.

that being said you really need to decide what you want to do with your future. if you are unsure i would suggest picking up the BCH masters if you feel comfortable with mathematics b/c it is only one extra year. if you plan on getting a PhD or going to med school or some other speciality program then i would still get your BCH degree but skip the masters (you can always start on the masters track and just not complete you last year as well if you change your future plans).

i think BLS degree is pretty worthless unless you have a 3.5 and up (maybe even higher) and have a couple minors such as genetics or biotech. BLS majors complain a lot abt BCH 451- probably b/c they either aren't smart or aren't focused so they really shouldn't be in there to start with.

if you are relativily smart and focused BCH isn't that hard- there are just a few class that you better be prepared to study you ass off in (451, 453, 455). i managed to party my ass off in college and still pick up a BCH degree.

11/11/2005 10:33:57 AM

Everyone i know in BLS is somewhat disappointed with their level of knowledge; they take all the survey courses and never really go in depth on any one thing. I think BLS is a tad bit easier to obtain a high GPA with BCH being more difficult. I am a MB major because i just can't handle the upper level chemistry in BCH or would just assume not attempt it. Plus it’s cool learning about microorganisms.
But BLS is Biological Life Sciences, so you get an overview of all the biological science class offer here, it’s not like a Biology major at other schools, where you might take upper level Biology classes.

11/11/2005 10:53:15 AM

If you are thinking med school, I don't think that BCH will help you more. You have to know a variety of things in med school (Biochem, Genetics, Microbio, etc) so a BLS degree might help you more. Plus, the biochem in med school is different from anything you took as an undergrad for a BCH degree. the people who I know at med school who majored in BCH at state struggled just like everyone else with biochem at med school.
now, if you wanna do something other than med school, i can't help you much! sorry!
~skip

11/11/2005 1:35:22 PM

You could do both and not worry about it... I am in Biochemistry and Biological Sciences (Nutrition concentration) and the classes are not that different... a lot of the electives for one will count for the other, etc.....

11/11/2005 4:26:41 PM

Being a biochem major, and was microbiology for awhile as well, I can tell you I took the grad school track with the engineering math (MA 141, 241, 242) and physics (205,208) sequence. It was harder but it will look better when I go to apply for grad school. Plus, it really does help sharpen your problem solving skills, which are important for experimental design, p chem and understanding processes in general.

Now, I considered microbiology easier because I'm not so good at chemistry as in biology, microbiology has a broader use for industry. I dropped this major and switched it to a minor so I can graduate this semester (didn't take GN 412, heard it was hard as shit because of Dr. Gardner). Bah. 1 credit.

Essentially, I know biology has a broad range of applications, but for your science electives you can take ecology or get a minor in poultry science, genetics, whatever to specialize.

11/11/2005 7:55:29 PM

Biochem. can land you a position anywhere that requires a Chem. BS, BIO. can not do that.

11/17/2005 11:02:27 AM

biochem sets you up for alot of potential and would probably be preferred if career versatility is concerned

11/19/2005 9:28:19 AM