Best way to graduate

[Jabberwocky12]

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Hey guys,

So I've decided to go to school for another semester to round out some pre-reqs for multiple pharmacy schools. So now I'm stuck with a tough decision here and have gotten some different answers.

Would you rather graduate with a BS in biology with a minor in chemistry, or graduate with a BA in chem and a BA in bio? there are a couple of classes difference but the extra semester will clear that up no problem.

This is asked on a standpoint as if I was going to be a pharmacist, but I would love feedback on how to handle it if I WASN'T going to be a pharmacist.

Thanks a ton,

Cheers!

 

[chemguy79]

Hey guys,

So I've decided to go to school for another semester to round out some pre-reqs for multiple pharmacy schools. So now I'm stuck with a tough decision here and have gotten some different answers.

Would you rather graduate with a BS in biology with a minor in chemistry, or graduate with a BA in chem and a BA in bio? there are a couple of classes difference but the extra semester will clear that up no problem.

This is asked on a standpoint as if I was going to be a pharmacist, but I would love feedback on how to handle it if I WASN'T going to be a pharmacist.

Thanks a ton,

Cheers!

In my opinion, getting a BA in both would be more marketable if you don't go to Pharmacy school. The job market as a Chemist is becoming saturated, while the job market for BA/BS Biology majors is almost non-existent unless you have connections.

 

[mustang sally]

So I'm not really sure what the difference is between BA and BS, but I say go for the double major. There aren't really any good jobs for BS in biology. At least maybe you have a chance at something with a double major in chem. And it just sounds more impressive, too.

 

[Shadii]

I know a BS in chem is pretty difficult, so I'm assuming it is for bio as well. But BA in chem and bio sounds pretty good. In case pharmacy doesn't work out and you might even want to try medical school, everyone has a BA in bio so a BA in chem will give you a slight difference from the norm.

 

[Jabberwocky12]

It's weird everyone says to do that.

But yeah, people have been saying a BS isn't necessary for pharmacy and whatnot unless I plan on doing research, which I wouldn't mind. Others said it looks better to do a BS for fellowships since it shows more mastery of something compared to the BA.

But I figured 2 degrees > 1 degree on this matter.

 

[Jennifer1]

I would recommend going for a bachelors in both biology & chemistry. It will look better on your resume. It may take a semester or two longer, but it will look good forever. 🙂

 

[hillwilliam]

Are you thinking from the standpoint of a plan B if pharmacy school doesn't work out? If that is the case, I would do some research into what companies who hire bio and chem majors are looking for. I would suspect they may prefer a BS to a BA degree.

 

[Jabberwocky12]

Yeah I was looking as a side-thing for the degrees. I'll have to check, didn't know if the BS/BA was different for non-academic things.

So I realize that I suck at organic. Is that going to be a dealbreaker? Will I be way off in biochem, microbio, immunology, or other undergrad classes?

What about pharmacy school? Will sucking at organic really be a hindrance? If organic isn't a predictor of biochem, will success at biochem be good enough for pharm school?

 

[owlegrad]

Yeah I was looking as a side-thing for the degrees. I'll have to check, didn't know if the BS/BA was different for non-academic things.

So I realize that I suck at organic. Is that going to be a dealbreaker? Will I be way off in biochem, microbio, immunology, or other undergrad classes?

What about pharmacy school? Will sucking at organic really be a hindrance? If organic isn't a predictor of biochem, will success at biochem be good enough for pharm school?

Med Chem is the only class that I can think of in pharm school that really uses any organic junk, and no, being "bad" at ochem is not going to hold you back. Of course you have to do well enough to get into pharm school, but other than that, don't sweat it.

 

[Jabberwocky12]

Med Chem is the only class that I can think of in pharm school that really uses any organic junk, and no, being "bad" at ochem is not going to hold you back. Of course you have to do well enough to get into pharm school, but other than that, don't sweat it.

Yeah what annoys me is that we have like 5 teachers who teach organic here. And they each are varying levels of difficulty and apparently I got the hardest one. So my grades suffer but I (as well as my classmates) can apparently test circles around the students from the other teachers (no joke, we really had us all take tests from different teachers). So we know more but have lower grades.

That's a shame; I'll probably have to retake these courses with the easier teachers like a slacker....


BTW what kind of "organic junk" do you use in med chem? Chair conformations for 6-membered rings and what else?

 

[Benelli]

In my opinion, getting a BA in both would be more marketable if you don't go to Pharmacy school. The job market as a Chemist is becoming saturated, while the job market for BA/BS Biology majors is almost non-existent unless you have connections.

There is absolutely no job market for biology I can guarantee you that. I graduated in 2008 with a BA in Biology and I couldn't sell my soul for a job. Unless you continue for a masters, even the FWP for the state wouldn't hire you. However, major pharmaceutical companies like people with science background, but options are limited.

If it takes you one more semester, it will take you another year before you can potentially get into pharmacy school right? So I would do that extra semester, get the dual degrees, take the pcat while all the material is fresh, and then try to get an early admission.