Which is harder biochemistry or microbiology?
BETWEEN BIOCHEMISTRY AND MICROBIOLOGY WHICH IS HARDER?
Biochemistry is a branch of science that deals with the chemical processes within and outside of living things. Biochemistry is a laboratory based science that combines biology and chemistry. Biochemistry aims to understand the mechanisms that are the basis of life by describing the structure and function of bio-molecules. It is the discipline that attempts to understand the workings of ourselves and our interactions with nature from the direction of both the physical sciences and biological sciences.
Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, achaea, fungi and protozoa. This discipline includes fundamental research on the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution and clinical aspects of micro organisms including the host’s response to these agents. It is the scientific study of micro organisms, those being unicellular, multicellular or acellular. Microbiology encompasses numerous sub-disciplines including Virology, Bacteriology, Protistology, Mycology, Immunology and Parasitology.
Microbiologists and Biochemists are both essential in helping us to treat diseases. Many work as biomedical scientists in hospitals and laboratories; testing samples of body tissue, blood, urine, and other fluids to diagnose infections, monitor treatments or track disease outbreaks.
Both courses are both somewhat intertwined as Laboratory and Research oriented and at some point at undergraduate level students of both courses will take almost the same courses. To answer the question of which is harder; Microbiology is harder as it is very detail heavy requiring you to remember a lot of facts about microscopic organisms, morphologies and modes of action. Without some basic knowledge of Biology and Chemistry or the ability to memorise things easily, it is likely that a student would struggle.
Biochemistry on the other hand, is only averagely difficult. It requires more dedication and will to study and to understand the details of all the chemical processes and reactions occurring inside our body. The subject is itself very vast and it requires a little more effort than some subjects to get a grip on. This is because a lot of concepts from the subject are constantly revised when you take pathology and pharmacology. But in a way as a student, difficulty depends more on what you personally find difficult than the supposed difficulty level of a course.
Shyllon Olayinka Enoch, Undergraduate student of Biochemistry at Obafemi Awolowo University
Twitter; @blackpeggy103
