Biochemistry or biophysics majors come in 8th place for hardest major, with an average of 18 and a half hours spent getting ready for class every week. Students majoring in biochemistry, or biological chemistry, look closely at the chemical processes and substances in living organisms.
CollegeVine's Top 10 Hardest Majors
- Chemistry. Average GPA: 2.9.
- Chemical Engineering. Average GPA: 3.2.
- Electrical Engineering. Average GPA: 3.3.
- Physics. Average GPA: 3.1.
- Architecture. Average GPA: 3.3.
- Nursing. Average GPA: 3.2.
- Accounting. Average GPA: 3.2.
- Cellular and Molecular Biology. Average GPA: 3.2.
The most common majors were:
- Biological sciences—11,843 total matriculants.
- Physical sciences—2,214.
- Social sciences—2,107.
- Humanities—797.
- Specialized health sciences—650.
- Math and statistics—168.
Its biochemistry + more math and physics (more inorganic chemistry too). Its 'harder' than a biochem major but that depends on what kind of person you are. Chemistry has more applications to the “basic science” and analytical initial stages of research, while biochemistry tends to relate better to in-vivo models.
Specialized Health Science has the worst acceptance rate, and although Math and Statistics applicants are few in numbers, they have the highest acceptance rate, followed by Humanities majors. The last three graphs show how average acceptance rates are related to GPA and MCAT scores for each major.
Biology, being much broader in its topics of study, is more versatile as a degree imo and doesn't lock you into only one type of work. Both are hard, but ngl biochemistry is a lot harder and people have cried tears of joy for passing with a C.
What jobs can you get with an undergraduate Biochemistry degree?
- analytical chemist.
- biomedical or forensic scientist.
- data scientist.
- ecologist.
- [jobs in] energy, environment and health.
- engineer.
- food, bio- or nano- technologist.
- pharmacologist.
It turns out that students with Humanities, Math and Statistics, and Physical Sciences—the groups with the highest admissions rates—tend to achieve the highest Total MCAT scores.
Don't major in biochem unless you plan to pursue further education (masters/phd). A biochemistry degree is certainly worth it. But with the caveat that you should use it as a stepping stone to get into research. A biochem student without research experience looks somewhat weak.
Biochemists made a median salary of $93,280 in 2018. The best-paid 25 percent made $129,950 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $64,230.
Each of these fields allows specialization; for example, clinical biochemists can work in hospital laboratories to understand and treat diseases, and industrial biochemists can be involved in analytical research work, such as checking the purity of food and beverages.
While there are many different college degrees, the four main degree levels include associate, bachelors, masters, and doctorate.
Doctors also need a PhD, an MBBS or other
degrees.
Primary medical degrees
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS, BMBS, MBChB, MBBCh)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD, Dr. MuD, Dr. Med)
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Biochemistry is a do-able course; it's heavily memorization based but it is do-able. So if you are worried (as I was), don't worry! You'll get through it. Embryology is often the forgotten course during that period of time (as there is far less material in embryology).
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, an entry level biochemist with a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry or other life sciences earns a starting salary of $34,953 a year, on average.
Total Cost of Medical SchoolOver four years, a medical student can expect to pay anywhere from $150,444 (in-state, public school) to $247,664 (out-of-state, public school) and up.
Easiest Medical Schools to Get Into
| Rank | School |
|---|
| 1 | University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts Medical School |
| 3 | University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine |
| 4 | University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine |
In the United States, students cannot enter medical school directly from high school. However, there are a number of "direct entry" opportunities that allow high school students to apply to a combined undergraduate/medical school program.
There is no age limit for medical school. You can become a doctor in your 30s, 40s, 50s, and even 60s. In the end, medical schools want students who will make good physicians.
Some medical schools accept online courses, but most do not.
What To Do If You Don't Get Accepted To Medical School
- First, it's important to remember that you can try again – in fact, most schools recommend applying at least once or twice more. Take a close look at your application and see what you can improve.
- Attend Medical School Abroad.
- Get a Science Degree.
- Stay in General Medicine.
- Go into Research.
The path to becoming a doctor requires a commitment of seven to nine or more years. Some medical schools require two to three years of pre-med while others may require a bachelor's degree.
Generally, a student earning a B.S. will take more classes in the applied sciences than a student earning a B.A. However, the B.S. is not a requirement for students who are hoping to pursue a career in the sciences or to go to medical school. The benefit for students looking to apply to medical school is that the B.S.
certain pre-med required classes are hard. but the true difficult part is balancing shadowing, volunteering, meaningful ECs, classes, and mcat studying. Honestly it is just a matter of time management and commitment. Depends on your study habits and load outside of class.
BS Chemistry / BiochemistryOne key component to a pre-med course is, well, the chemical makeup of the body. You'll be taking classes like biochemistry and organic chemistry. These are helpful in understanding the human body's internal processes and how we react to certain elements and diseases.
You'll need to complete four to five years of pre-med preparation, another four years of medical school, and three to seven years of residency. It doesn't end there, though.
Chemistry/BiochemistryThe biological sciences are most popular with pre-meds, but you'll also need to know a lot of chemistry as a pre-med and a med student. There's an entire chemistry section on the MCAT, so it's definitely an important subject to know.
The Best Pre-Med Schools, Ranked
- Harvard College. Location: Cambridge, MA.
- Duke University. Location: Durham, NC.
- University of Pennsylvania. Location: Philadelphia, PA.
- Washington University in Saint Louis. Location: St.
- Rice University. Location: Houston, TX.
- Stanford University.
- Northwestern University.
- Brown University.
Broadly speaking, most Medical Schools require Chemistry and Biology at A-Level. Some medical schools, like Birmingham and Aberdeen, allow you to swap Biology for Human Biology. If you want to have the broadest choice of Med Schools, it's a good idea to take A-Level Physics alongside Biology and Chemistry.
Four years for medical school, a minimum of three years for residency, and a few more if you want to specialize with a fellowship.
A science GPA around 3.3-3.4 is Very Good, one between 3.5-3.7 is usually Excellent and one above 3.8 is generally Superior. By way of reference, the average GPA for students attending top medical schools is 3.89. Students attending state medical schools might have overall GPA's around 3.63.
Most medical schools require the following courses:
- One year of Biology with lab.
- One year of General Chemistry with lab.
- One year of Organic Chemistry with lab.
- One semester of Biochemistry.
- One year of Physics with lab.
- One year of English.
