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Chemistry or Biochemistry... WHICH ONE??

So my A level choices are Bio, Chem, Maths and Economics... My ambition in life is to go into drug discovery, pharmaceuticals, that sort of thing, although im not contempt on that as in career paths often change.

So what do i choose for say drug discovery, chemistry or biochem, a renowned medical consultant whos known nationally said that im better off doing chemistry as it broadens my choices. And that its easy teaching a chemistry grad the biology aspect but hard teaching a bio chemistry grad the more intricate aspects of chemistry...

Also is it possible to go into do a medical post grad degree with a chemistry undergraduate course or is that only for bio chem students.

And final thing, is there anyway of linking the personal statement for both bio chem and chem?? Baring in mind i will talking alot about drugs, and drug synthesis in my personal statement as that is what ive done the most outside reading on.

HELP
Reply 1
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Reply 2
I'd agree broadly with what your medical consultant said. However I'd put more emphasis on the fact that both can lead to work in the drug design industry, and that given you're going to be stuck doing it for 3-4 years (which inevitably includes down periods where you'd rather be somewhere else :P ) it's probably best to do the one you enjoy the most!

In regards to post graduate medicine, yes you can enter with a variety of degrees including chemistry. Biochemist applicants will probably already have knowledge of some small areas of medicine beyond even qualified doctors but how favourably this is likely looked upon I do not know.

I'm sure if you put your mind to it you can write a personal statement appealing to both chemistry and biochemistry admissions personel. There are some example personal statements on this site which may be of help.
Choose the degree that interests you more. It also depends on what area of drug discovery you'd like to be in. I'm a biochemist and worked in drug discovery but on the target identification and characterisation side of things which is more pure biology. I would then talk to my chemistry team who would design drugs in consultation with a biochemist who was a specialist in computational biology, modelling and protein biochemistry.
Reply 4
I'd do chemistry if you are looking to make money (oil business).

If money isn't important to you and you're set on drug discovery then I'd suggest a course in biochemistry or pharmacology. That said you have to keep in mind how difficult new drug discovery can be in this day and age.

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