Would it look bad if I finish a chemistry degree and don't ever take biochemistry?
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Should I take Biochemistry?
Started by Knickerbocker
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Some schools (Maryland comes to mind) requires biochemistry. If it's not required in the prereqs, then you aren't required to take it. However, you will definitely take a biochemistry course in your first year, so having a biochemistry foundation will help. It's really up to you though.
I think only one version of the degree at my school requires biochemistry. Only one version requires two semesters of physical chemistry; the rest only require one. Naturally, nobody ever signs up for the second semester.
Biochemistry will help you in pharmacy school. Either you will have a biochemistry class or you will need the information as background for other classes.
Isn't 2 semesters required for the ACS approved degree? I think you only need one for a chem degree not approved by the ACS. And you don't need biochem either? I've never heard of that.
Biochemistry requires a lot of internalizing by the student and the course is quite prevalent in the first years of pharmacy school if biochem was not a prereq. So even if your pharmacy school makes you take biochem, I advise taking it since it'll look good on your application if you do well and it'll make the pharmacy school version easier since you learned much of the material already.
I'd advise you take biochem while in undegrad. I wish I did. My school allowed students who took biochem in undegrad NOT take the first semester of biochem, and we had the most evil professor for one section, so all those who didn't take biochem ended up with a higher GPA and thus with scholarship money. Not that I am bitter or something... 😀
I guess that I'll probably take it. It's 8:00 in the morning, but I could probably get a decent LoR from the person teaching it.
I'd definitely say worth your while, even if not required.
