<p>I'm a CC student looking to transfer in the next year or two that was recently slapped in the face with the reality that amongst all the medschool rejects and whatnot there something of a shortage of employment opportunities for those with degrees in Biochemistry. Sooooooo I'm looking for a new major, but I'm really unsure of how to evaluate my abilities. I'd say that in most academic respects I fall somewhere on the lower end of the top 10% of all my classes, noting that I do so with very little effort and could probably do better if I wanted to (I'm trying not to sound like a ****** here but I probably do). Just because I can't think of any other way to outline my abilities, here's my AP scores for fun:</p>
<p>Bio-5
English Lang- 5
English Lit-4
Chem- 4
Stats- 4
Physics 3
(I will point out that I took stats and physics senior year, already resigned to community college, and thus senioritis probably took a toll on those scores)</p>
<p>And SAT scores, which I took once:
Reading 710
Math 680
Writing 640
Biology 770
Chem 770</p>
<p>So be honest with me, does this look like someone who could handle ChemE or not? Any alternative recommendations are appreciated.</p>
<p>So I take it that you’ll be at a community college for two years? In order to major in ChE you need certain pre-req courses. While at the cc, you can take a few math/sci prereq that reveal your engineering aptitude: Calculus through multivariate, Calc based Physics I and II (or M and E&M), General Chemistry (probably I and II). Mostly, these courses would be useful in many STEM fields. Heck, even if you pursue humanities, they are not wasteful. Since you are attending cc, don’t be too hung up on what you did in HS. People change, aptitude develops, time management skills learned etc…</p>
<p>Are you a freshman at community college, or have you already completed freshman year there? If the latter, how did you like and how well did you do in chemistry, physics, and math courses?</p>
<p>I’m actually in my second year at CC, but due to a lack of direction i spent my first two semesters putzing around with IGETC. I’m in Gen Chem I and Calc I right now, and while I’m doing well in both of them at this point in time, I know it’s too early to say I’m going to succeed in upper division courses down the line. I know science majors tend to take longer with getting that extended list of major requirements finished, but as my friends are all applying for transfer next year I’m beginning to feel the pressure to pick a solid major to follow.</p>
<p>Well, you could be looking at 5+ years to finish ChE here! Anyway, take calc physics next semester to see how you do (make sure it’s calculus based). It’s hard for anyone to give you a meaningful advice. I know you have to make a decision but without the first two calculus based physics courses you won’t have a feel for engineering.</p>
<p>I could have sworn I read somewhere the that the physics involved was minimal, capping out somewhere around three semester’s worth but maybe I’m just crazy/ that person was mistaken. Thankyou, I appreciate your advice!</p>
<p>Since you mention IGETC, presumably you are at a California community college and want to transfer to a UC or CSU. If so, use [Welcome</a> to ASSIST](<a href=“http://www.assist.org%5DWelcome”>http://www.assist.org) to figure out what courses you need. However, starting from first semester calculus and chemistry, you should expect to need two years from now to become transfer ready. While this may extend your total college time, the extra year at community college is not that expensive compared to an extra year at a four year school.</p>
<p>Likely prerequisites that you need:</p>
<p>Math: calculus, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations:
Chemistry: a year of general chemistry, a semester or year of organic chemistry
Physics: a year to a year and a half of physics for scientists and engineers
Biology: possibly a semester
Engineering: computer science, materials, and/or electronics, if available
Breadth: a semester or year of English composition, and other humanities and social studies courses</p>
<p>If certain courses are missing from your community college, check other nearby community colleges for them.</p>
<p>Should be finished with Bio and breadth work after this semester, but yeah, I’ve looked at the prereqs for UCB and UCLA and I have a lot of headway to make.</p>
<p>Any idea how long it takes the average ChemE transfer student to graduate?</p>
<p>Note that the above assumes five semesters after transfer.</p>
<p>Obviously, it would be helpful if you have completed before transfer the following:</p>
<p>Chemistry 112A (organic chemistry; Berkeley accepts 75th percentile on ACS organic chemistry exam after completing community college organic chemistry)
Biology 1A/1AL (5 on AP Biology fulfills for Berkeley chemical and biomolecular engineering, see page 43 of above)
Engineering 45 (materials)
Engineering 7 (computing, MATLAB)
Electrical Engineering 100 (electronics)</p>
<p>You may be able to graduate in four semesters after transfer if you have four or five of the above fulfilled before transfer.</p>
<p>You can check other nearby community colleges on ASSIST if your community college does not have the courses articulating to all of the courses you need.</p>
<p>For other schools, check the department web sites and ASSIST to see what you can do to streamline your transfer process and minimize “catch up” courses after transfer.</p>