Chemistry Major Doubts

Gotlactose
Mon, 04 Apr 2011 01:14:56 +0000

No pre-pharmacy.

From what I heard, pharmacy schools want to see you take chemistry 20/30 series, which is incidentally what the physical science majors require (chemistry, biochemistry majors). It may be easy to switch into the life sciences majors (biology, physiological sciences, neuroscience, psychobiology), but if you want to be on the pharmacy track, I highly recommend you stick with chemistry or even switch to biochemistry. It may be more challenging, but it will really test if you are interested in the subject material.

For example, in the last organic chemistry class of the lower division chemistry requirements, chemistry 30C does a lot of chemistry that’s involved in the manufacturing of drugs. I’ve seen (theoretically) how aspirin, lipitor, viagra, non-drowsy antihistamines are made. The chemistry 14 series, which is what the life sciences majors take, only go through the very basic organic chemistry and probably wouldn’t get as much in depth about these applications of organic chemistry in the health field.

As I said in the other thread, don’t worry about your existing study skills. Once you get in here, you will adapt and do well. Just don’t come in thinking you can slack off your first quarter and don’t take a crazy schedule and you will adjust to UCLA fine.

Welcome to UCLA chem! If you guys see this thread and want some advice about being pre-health (medical/pharmacy/optometry/dental school) or being a chem/biochem major, feel free to send me a private message with questions.