Neuroscience vs. Biochemistry Major

[djsbaseball2014]

Hey guys,

So i am at a crossroads right now with deciding what major i want to pursue. I am currently a second year at a UC and am stuck deciding between Biochemistry and Neuroscience. I am doing really well in Organic Chemistry so far having taken 2 of the three classes in the series and receiving A's. My question is, if i enjoy ochem do you guys think i would enjoy biochem? I really like cell and molecular biology and the neuroscience upper division courses are also very interesting to me. There is a neuropharmacology course offered at my school that i really want to take as a neuroscience major. Also, some of the other neuroscience classes that interest me like Cancer bio also fall under the biochem major.

Obviously I want to major in something I am interested in, and both of these interest me. I am in a pickle because if I were to major in Biochem, i need to take the Intro to biochem series for biochem majors rather than the more elementary biochem course for all other science majors. If anybody could give me some feedback on their experience in any of these majors or even how well success in ochem correlates with success in biochem, i would greatly appreciate that. Thank you!

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[JustAPhD]

I loved OChem and Biochem, but that's just me, YMMV. From a very limited knowledge of your interests I don't think we can really tell you which major to choose. If I were in your shoes I would try to talk to a couple profs in each major. Voice your interests to them and they may be able to help you choose. Obviously talk to both sides though, as any prof will try to sell you on his/her path.

 

[djsbaseball2014]

@JustAPhD Thanks for the ideas. I will definitely do that and try to talk with students who are in each major to get a feel as to whether they like it or not

 

[Dr. Retractor]

I don't think liking orgo is an indicator of whether you would like biochem. Could you pursue a minor in one or the other? Because you can take the upper div neuro classes and the still take the other biochem courses that interest you

 

[Dr.TonySoprano]

Perhaps see which major offers more interesting research experiences for you.

 

[djsbaseball2014]

@Dr.TonySoprano I am currently involved in a Psychology/Neuroscience Sleep research lab and we have been reading journals/articles that our PI wrote and have been presenting them at meetings and i really enjoy it so far! Its a tough choice, I'm probabaly going to take both respective intro classes and go from there

 

[bearintraining]

Can you just take the biochem version of the course anyway? I doubt you'll regret it as the knowledge would be useful down the road regardless.

 

[eteshoe]

I say biochem but I may be biased since I was a biochem double major and hated neuro.

 

[7331poas]

I loved organic and I read biochem like its a unique system that still plays by the rules of organic chemistry. Its really up to you though.

 

[djsbaseball2014]

@bearintraining I could talk to my advisor and see if 110A which is the first class for biochem majors would count for my requirement of biochem 100. The only issue i see is that the biochem 100 class covers more material but doesnt go as in depth as the 110 series.

 

[DocFarnsworth]

Neuro all the way


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[efle]

Neuro

 

[hopefulERdoc251]

I'm biased for Neuroscience. The piecing together the philosophical/behavioral/molecular approach to understanding human behavior/thought is amazing.

 

[Jav116]

Biochem is more applicable, neuro is more abstract, neuropharmacology originates from biochemistry, a question I would ask myself is, would I want to learn more about how this drugs originated and what are the mechanisms behind these reactions or would I rather know how it affects the system after it has reacted.


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[7331poas]

Biochem is more applicable, neuro is more abstract, neuropharmacology originates from biochemistry, a question I would ask myself is, would I want to learn more about how this drugs originated and what are the mechanisms behind these reactions or would I rather know how it affects the system after it has reacted.


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I find a lot more satisfaction understanding the underlying science. Thats why you have to have an appreciation for organic chemistry before you read lehninger. And of course physics before organic and so on.

But there is something to be said for simply sitting down and learning biology. I suppose its more "high yield"