Help me pick my 2nd degree!!!

[Orange]

I'm going to get a degree in history + a science degree, but I want to weigh the pros and cons of each possibility. I'm having a hard time picking. I'm going to let NG decide, because it's a wise idea.

Biochemistry
Advantages: Hard + badass degree, looks awesome on my transcript, gives me extra knowledge I can use in medical school, useful for a billion jobs
Disadvantages: Will get lower grades, requires calculus level III, requires physical chemistry class (super boring class)

Chemistry
Advantages: looks awesome on transcript, useful for tons and tons of jobs
Disadvantages: lots of labs, I might get sulfuric acid in my eye, requires math and physics to supplement

Biology
Advantages: Probably one of the easier science degrees, gives me the option to teach high school if all else fails, fun too
Disadvantages: Billions of people get bio degrees, cookie cutter med school application = bio degree, not as badass of a degree as the others

Health Sciences
Advantages: Fun because you can take medical-related courses early, specialized
Disadvantages: It's kind of bullshitty, and med schools don't like it that much

Earth/Space Sciences
Advantages: It's interesting
Disadvantages: Requires some physics and math, and has nothing to do with biology

Non-Science Alternative 2nd majors: Economics, English, Anthropology,

[MRSA]

Biochem!

[Grammar-Nazi]

I'd say chemistry, the worst thing about it is how you have to remember a bunch of equations and symbols for compounds.

[MasarapProductions]

Hmmmm, tough choices. Health Sciences interest me the least, but to choose among the other science choices, it would take me a long while to choose. Though out of the non-science categories, I'd choose Anthropology, since the other two would probably end up being boring.

[RubberTrucky]

My pick would be biology, but you don't seem to like it that much (if you graduate you can go catch animals and study them and apparently that's a lot of fun)

But maybe chemistry fits you better: don't worry, almost noone gets an accident in there.

[americanidiot2f]

Either Chemistry or Biology.

[JohnnyWang]

Depends, what's your carreer plan?

I'm an English Major, and I think it's a very interesting subject, and I'd like to study history as a minor, but it's not available in my uni, and I need to consentrate on Pedagogy.

[Orange]

At 10/19/08 07:13 PM, Grammar-Nazi wrote: I'd say chemistry, the worst thing about it is how you have to remember a bunch of equations and symbols for compounds.

it gets really involved in the upper levels with the level of math and stuff. It starts to blend with particle physics at some points. It's a lot worse than just memorizing energy equations.

[Chikbot]

chemistry, you get to make stuff explode

[SouthAsian]

Biochemistry is something that would make you stick out.

[RubberTrucky]

At 10/19/08 07:23 PM, Orange wrote: it gets really involved in the upper levels with the level of math and stuff. It starts to blend with particle physics at some points. It's a lot worse than just memorizing energy equations.

That probably depends which direction your taking.

Quantumchemistry for instance, will be highly theoretical.

[HeartbreakHoldout]

I get the feeling you don't like Maths and Physics. Which is quite unfortunate considering how many of the above degrees require either some or loads of maths. A maths degree on its own opens up many career paths in the sciences, and looks quite impressive. But if you don't want maths, then avoid chemistry.

[Reaperyami]

Biochemistry is something I'd choose. sure it's hard, but if you push yourself enough you won't regret it in the long run.

[Brass]

I would suggest Biochemistry or just Chemistry, they might be difficult and mathematical classes but they're awesome and would look good on whatever record or report you use to get a job.

[Sensationalism]

Biology.

[Orange]

At 10/19/08 07:22 PM, JohnnyWang wrote: Depends, what's your carreer plan?

I'm an English Major, and I think it's a very interesting subject, and I'd like to study history as a minor, but it's not available in my uni, and I need to consentrate on Pedagogy.

Going for medical school after college. You dont need a science degree to apply, but I'd like to have one to apply to UK medical schools

[Ehwaz003]

You should choose yourself. The real thing that matters is that you pick something that you see yourself doing in 30 years from now, with the same amount of interest as you have now. Sure, some degrees or courses look 'badass', but once you get dissapointed in them, there is (most of the time) no way back.

[killerjeff]

Chemistry. That's more easier, I went with that, and passed it with no trouble.
However, acid is not so friendly with faces, especially mine.

[Patrickman]

Follow your heart!

[Sentio]

I took a biology degree here in the UK, and I enjoyed it from start to finish. Obviously I have no idea how it compares over here to how it is in the States, but it was largely essay based rather than labs and short answer questions, though what labs there were generally were extremely enjoyable (plenty of dissection etc.).

As for it being easy, any science degree is seen as difficult over here, and I can assure you that biology is not an easy choice, with very few candidates coming out with 1st class degrees (and Bath is one of the top universities in the country for biology). That has a lot to do with the smaller amount of maths, as it is possible to get 100% in a maths based paper, while essay based papers tend to hover around the 60-70% here.

There is also the benefit of specialization within the subject, as the area of biology is enormous. I did a large amount of genetics, evolution and biochemistry within my degree, while others did ecology or physiology. A broad subject better enables specialization, do biochem and you'll find that there is less scope to tailor the degree to your interests. I did many of the best biochem modules through biology, whilst doing some other modules unrelated to it that I also enjoyed.

It also means that should I want to I can do an accelerated medicine course (one year shorter than the normal), though I don't know if a US degree would apply for that as well.

Generally go with what you enjoy most, that is by far the most important thing. Everyone I know who chose a subject for some other reason (they thought it looked good, their parents pushed them towards it etc) hated their time at university, and the majority dropped out, with a couple of others failing. I in contrast loved my time there and got a good degree mark at the end of it.

[TheMaster]

No physics? Do the chemistry from that list, always better to go for a pure science than a specialist one since it doesn't limit you as much, but physics is well better.

[Peacekid]

Biochemistry, challenge yourself you fuck

[Rozner]

I'd pick biochem, it seems interesting and with *blank* many of years learning it, it'd be hard to forget it.

[edgewalker424]

Chemistry...Calc 3 sucks.

[Funfrog211]

Chemistry or Biochemisty. Both are for the win.

And if your wearing proper lab equipment you won't get anything in your eye.

[JT1]

I would say biochemistry, because it will be very useful, or economics, because I love it.

[Orange]

At 10/19/08 09:17 PM, Sentio wrote:

Generally go with what you enjoy most, that is by far the most important thing. Everyone I know who chose a subject for some other reason (they thought it looked good, their parents pushed them towards it etc) hated their time at university, and the majority dropped out, with a couple of others failing. I in contrast loved my time there and got a good degree mark at the end of it.

I do agree with the notion that you have to pick something you enjoy, but you still have to compromise with practicality. For example, if you enjoyed music theory, it might be a better idea to major in something more practical. I hate saying that but its so true. Way too many people want jobs that are very few in number and will likely result in having a subpar job in another field.

[BlindShoemaker]

just major in history and some sort of engineering...just imagine how much fun you could have in matlab

[Kryoten]

Law muthafucka. Only way to go. If you don't mind losing a soul along the way.

[Bladezguy]

Yeah I would choose biology.