(Biochemistry) OR (Microbiology and Immunology)?

[UBCvan]

Hi Guys:

i'm considering one of the two majors as my undergrad and i don't know what really to expect from each major.

i was wondering if anyone could tell me the pros and cons of each program? like which one has the most info to memorize or which one has alot of labs...which one is harder to do...which one is more intresting FOR YOU...which one is like a torture...what they mostly study(chem BIO or what)...or which one is better for getting prepared for MCAT..etc..

please sayyyy anything you know about them.. i m really confused which one i should go for...

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Regards,

Me

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[armybound]

both are going to have a lot of memorization.. molecular biology is a ton of memorization of a combination of letters and numbers. everything is some gene or protein numbered/lettered XYZ# or something similar. The big difference for me was remembering mechanisms and structures (biochem) versus signaling pathways and protein names (immunology), and I find the latter a lot easier to remember.

I personally enjoy microbiology/immunology, but that's me. I would advise you not to let strangers choose what you're going to be studying.

If you're early in your college career, remain undecided until you've had introductory biochem and microbio courses and make your decision afterwards. I'm sure all of the prereqs are the same.

 

[super302]

If you are trying to take the easiest path, then med-school is not for you
I personally picked microbio over biochem (in real life, not just the poll) mainly because i liked the classes better
biochem=MOSTLY chemistry with minor amounts biology, micro is the opposite

the only thing you need for the MCAT is the 4 years of gen-ed science (GChem, OChem, Physics, Biology) and of course a math class and english, taking thermodynamics/physical chemistry classes as part of a BC major isnt going to do anything (or do very, very minimal for your understanding of concepts for the MCAT)

choose what you like, dont pick the easiest or you will be in for a huge surprise

 

[UBCvan]

If you are trying to take the easiest path, then med-school is not for you
I personally picked microbio over biochem (in real life, not just the poll) mainly because i liked the classes better
biochem=MOSTLY chemistry with minor amounts biology, micro is the opposite

the only thing you need for the MCAT is the 4 years of gen-ed science (GChem, OChem, Physics, Biology) and of course a math class and english, taking thermodynamics/physical chemistry classes as part of a BC major isnt going to do anything (or do very, very minimal for your understanding of concepts for the MCAT)

choose what you like, dont pick the easiest or you will be in for a huge surprise

the thing is i find BIOLOGY realted stuff to be more interesting...
anything that is more interesting for me is easier as well...

thanks for replies..

 

[artaxerxes]

the thing is i find BIOLOGY realted stuff to be more interesting...
anything that is more interesting for me is easier as well...

thanks for replies..

micro then,

if you like stuff such as enzyme kinetics, protein structural analysis, Amino Acid residues, and just looking at the parts and fundementals of life, as opposed to the entire organism, biochemistry will be more enjoyable. If you REALLY want to know how enzymes works, biochemistry will answer that, but you'll rarely explore the function of the entire organism.

 

[greg1184]

To me, Microbiology and ESPECIALLY Immunology are the most interesting topics in science and medicine.

 

[FORUM9351]

I can't think of anything more fascinating than studying life at the molecualr level. However, microbiology is fascinating as well and is probably more medically applicable.

 

[Bacchus]

If you're wondering what you might be facing as biochem take a look at this: http://www.usip.edu/advising/majors/biochem.pdf and for microbiology this: http://www.usip.edu/advising/majors/microbiology.pdf. Personally I chose biochem because I was originally a chemistry major. It was easier to get into biochem and I had no desire for micro.

 

[MossPoh]

These questions bother me because it seems like you just want a magic bullet major...Take what you what you like..and maybe what you could picture doing for the rest of your life. I started out hardcore into bioengineering...then I realized it just wasn't for me. Many of the preqs will probably be the same..so just cruise through till that point and leave as many windows open as possible.

 

[DannMann99]

Entering my senior year now as a Biochemistry major. I love it.
I decided not to go the bio route because plants didnt interest me, and it didnt seem for me.

Biochem is tough work though, you can put down whatever you like and change your major later. If i were you your classes will work out like this:
Freshman year:
bio1, bio2, chem1, chem2, calc1, calc2
Sophomore
orgo1, orgo2, physics1, physics2

I didn't really get into the biochem aspect of it until i hit junior year. If you take organic and enjoy it thats pretty much biochem. but i think it has a stronger theme to it overall, everything kinda ties in whereas in orgo its a bunch of random reactions you have to memorize.

I think for me biochem had alot of biology in it...
I remember biochem 1 was alot about enzymes, proteins, dna. reaction rates and all that jazz.
Biochem2 got seriously into reactions. TCA, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, protein metabolism pathways, pretty much every carb pathway, glycogen. Later on we had to write a 15page paper and do a 20 minute presentation on a specific metabolic disorder. It was nuts but i felt like i learned a ton.
Then again I enjoyed chemistry alot more in highschool compared to biology...
Im just rambling at this point, but choose a major you think you'll like now, and by the time you get your premed req's out of the way you'll have a better feel for what each major will entail. 🙂 good luck man.

 

[UBCvan]

thanks for replies

keep it comin

 

[UBCvan]

Entering my senior year now as a Biochemistry major. I love it.
I decided not to go the bio route because plants didnt interest me, and it didnt seem for me.

Biochem is tough work though, you can put down whatever you like and change your major later. If i were you your classes will work out like this:
Freshman year:
bio1, bio2, chem1, chem2, calc1, calc2
Sophomore
orgo1, orgo2, physics1, physics2

I didn't really get into the biochem aspect of it until i hit junior year. If you take organic and enjoy it thats pretty much biochem. but i think it has a stronger theme to it overall, everything kinda ties in whereas in orgo its a bunch of random reactions you have to memorize.

I think for me biochem had alot of biology in it...
I remember biochem 1 was alot about enzymes, proteins, dna. reaction rates and all that jazz.
Biochem2 got seriously into reactions. TCA, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, protein metabolism pathways, pretty much every carb pathway, glycogen. Later on we had to write a 15page paper and do a 20 minute presentation on a specific metabolic disorder. It was nuts but i felt like i learned a ton.
Then again I enjoyed chemistry alot more in highschool compared to biology...
Im just rambling at this point, but choose a major you think you'll like now, and by the time you get your premed req's out of the way you'll have a better feel for what each major will entail. 🙂 good luck man.

thanks for advice

regards,

 

[TheRealMD]

I'd just take a look at the degree plans. Most of the classes should be the same, just figure out which major has more classes that you hate and vice versa and it should be pretty easy. I don't think you'll find anything valuable on SDN anyway.

For the most part, most bio/chem majors are the same for the first year, so you should ask people at your school what the difference is between both majors. For now, just plan on taking the basics. There's little need to worry about it this early in the game.

 

[UBCvan]

I'd just take a look at the degree plans. Most of the classes should be the same, just figure out which major has more classes that you hate and vice versa and it should be pretty easy. I don't think you'll find anything valuable on SDN anyway.

For the most part, most bio/chem majors are the same for the first year, so you should ask people at your school what the difference is between both majors. For now, just plan on taking the basics. There's little need to worry about it this early in the game.

well, i've done my 1st year (in college and will do my 2nd year there as well)and wanted to apply to a university..so i have to know what program i should apply too

 

[Bacchus]

Differentiation usually occurs after second year.

 

[llkg21]

Immunology all the way, because I did that. 🙂 The future for medicine.🙄

seriously, biochem doesn't get you any clinical involvement.

 

[artaxerxes]

I think both are equally valid for medical school admissions purposes, although I think immunology might be more useful once in medical school, but I don't really know.

Good thing about biochem is that I think there is more of a need for people with solid chem skills that are highly technical and practical, such as analytic, organic, etc in biomedical research, so you'll have an easier time finding a job after college if you don't go into medicine. There is plenty of demand for microbiologists, but I think its much easier for labs to train a biochem major to cell culture than train a microbiologist or molecular biologist to run a mass spec, do protein purification, or perform HPLC.

 

[UBCvan]

I think immunology might be more useful once in medical school

thats what i think

 

[apnea]

NOTHING you do in undergrad is going to be all that useful in med school. i'm majoring in micro because it's ****ing COOL 😍but a bachelor's degree in interperetive dance will help you about as much, and your GPA will probably be higher 😉

 

[midn]

I took biochem over microbio just because I wanted to blend chemistry and biology. The problem with biochem (at least at my university) is that you won't know as much chemistry and chem majors nor will you know as much biology as bio majors. You will certainly know more chemistry than bio major and more biology than chemistry majors. It's a trade off. My biochem degree is very flexible and allows me to take whatever biology classes I like to fill my biology requisites. I took all the microbio classes to my heart's desire.

 

[almo88]

All three are very important, but I've heard of people failing out of medical school because they haven't ever seen Biochem and struggled with it so much. On the other hand, they were probably going to fail eventually. I've also heard that biochem is pretty difficult to pick up, especially at the pace that it is taught in most med schools.

 

[DannMann99]

I think its much easier for labs to train a biochem major to cell culture than train a microbiologist or molecular biologist to run a mass spec, do protein purification, or perform HPLC.

Amen.

At my school i feel like I know a good deal of chemistry.. in regards to MIDN...

Curriculum went something like this:biochem1, biochem2, physical biochem (essential PCHEM1), analytical chem... (which is different from chem major by only 2 classes (pchem2 and analytical chem 2)...
We also get 2 electives in 400lvl chem
BUT we get bio credits too, so genetics, micro, immun, etc etc...
Biochem in undergrad is pretty fast paced too in my opinion, theres alot of pathways you need to know and alot of little stuff you need to have down, but I expect it will help me some in medschool. just my 2cents.

 

[UBCvan]

thanks guys, i think i have to do more research..👍

 

[Jsmooth]

whoa its rare i see someone from vancouver on here. i live in vancouver too but go to school in the states. thought i'd say hi. most of my high school friends are doing microbio/imm

 

[UBCvan]

whoa its rare i see someone from vancouver on here. i live in vancouver too but go to school in the states. thought i'd say hi. most of my high school friends are doing microbio/imm

hey...are you an international student in US or ur an US citizen?