I am currently a Chemistry major and am toying with the idea of changing to Biochemistry. I want to go to optometry school and it seems biochemistry degree requirements better fit the prerequisites I need to take. Any advice or opinions about biochemistry? I don't know much about it, but it seems like an interesting path.

6/2/2006 8:45:27 PM

ummmmmmmmmmm

it sucks

switch to bio

6/2/2006 8:51:39 PM

biochem is the more versatile major, and more fitting considering your goals.

6/2/2006 11:05:34 PM

i think you ought to take BCH 451 before you decide to switch.

6/3/2006 1:13:06 AM

yeah, thats what I thought too^

6/3/2006 1:14:53 AM

a science degree only hurts you when you apply (they like humanities majors more). Chemistry will look a lot better, since everyone majors in the biological sciences. And Dr. Knopp who would be your advisor and probably professor for BCH 451 is a complete jerk.

6/3/2006 11:42:32 AM

Med schools like humanities degrees better than physical science degrees??? You sure about that?

6/3/2006 12:10:29 PM

^^I think what he means to say is they like "diversity," not necessarily humanities people, seeing as like 95% of people accepted to optometry school either have a biology or chemistry degree.

6/3/2006 1:49:06 PM

Doctor Knopp is an ass... but you prob wouldnt have him as an advisor seeing as how he just recently dumped most all of his sophmore and junior biochem kids...

6/4/2006 4:16:44 PM

If you do get into biochem you don't have to have Dr. Knopp as an advisor. I know a few seniors that don't have him. I have Dr. Hardin and he is an awesome advisor. He doesn't jump on your case about what he "feels" you should take. He says you are in college and you can decide. Also, having someone else other than Dr. Knopp is a huge advantage because it is easier to schedule appointments.

Also, having Dr. Knopp as a biochem professor isn't so bad. I personally don't care for him as a person (and I agree he can be an ass), but he does get the information across and you don't have to interact with him to get a good grade.

I am applying for optometry school this year and I do believe that biochem does help you meet a lot of the requirements without taking extra classes.

6/4/2006 6:09:46 PM

Once you get through 451, the rest of the classes are a breeze...

6/5/2006 5:56:20 PM

and if you do switch, ask for Dennis Brown to be your advisor... he is awesome....

6/5/2006 5:57:00 PM

^^[no]


451 is by far easier than 453....depending on who you had I guess. I had Hemenway and she couldnt teach worth a shit. Knopp blew her out of the water in terms of teaching. 451 is mindless memorization, where as 453 and 455 are application classes. I could see how 453 might be easier with a teacher that actually teaches...not just rambles, but it was a bitch for me and I worked my ass off for a B, where as I just worked a moderate amount for an A in Knopp's class.

6/6/2006 11:39:57 AM

Negatives
I graduated in BCH last December. Be prepared for a wild ride. Since my first year roommate was a chem major, we had pretty similar classes, we were both in technical maths and took the MA 141, 241, 242 sequence for calc and the PY 205/208 for physics. (There's a more bio leaning calc sequence MA 121/231ish, and PY 211/212. It's the same path as chem until junior year, then the biochem starts to sink in.)

I highly advise NOT taking BCH 451 and GN 411 in the same semester, i took it with 11 other hours and it nearly killed me. Most of the core classes lean heavily on molecular biology, genetics, and microbiology, the department itself devotes a lot fo research to structural biochemistry. Lots of processes and experimental design to memorize and learn, the white board will be your best friend.

I would say biochemistry is the most technically challenging of the biological sciences and the most abstract with lots of theory. Lots of kids ended up switching to bio or to some other CALS major because of these factors. Dr. Knopp was my advisor and a total dick, wanted to steer me straight into grad school cause it makes the department look good, instead of paying attention to the fact I didn't have the desire or qualifications to go yet. Dr. Cavanaugh andn Dave for 454 are the best professors I've had. Dr. Hardin is arrogant but he knows his shit and will teach you if you want to learn.

Pluses: In job interviews people were impressed with the biochem degree. It seems to generate respect since bio majors are so common. A biochem degree is really applicable to any opt, vet, or med school, or any science grad program, especially health and biology.

Job range: Most of my peers ended up working at pharmaceutical companies, are in grad or med school, working for universities as lab techs and research associates, or in some health field. I myself work for Duke as a research associate (i.e. lab monkey) in model system genomics. I don't really know of anyone who doesn't have a career related job (one girl went to seminary school).

6/10/2006 12:31:40 AM