B.S. Chemistry, M.S Chem Eng?

Graduate School
1

<p>Background: I am going into my third year as a B.S. Chemistry major and I'm considering my options for after I graduate. When I chose chemistry I was more or less just following my interests without any regard to a career, but with the economic downturn and graduation on the not-so-distant horizon, topics such as money and job security have been on my mind. In my research I've found that chemical engineering is quite similar to the work of a chemist, and perhaps even more interesting to me as I was originally enrolled in mechanical engineering. At this point it wouldn't be practical to transfer to chem eng in undergrad, so I'm looking towards graduate options. I don't want to give the impression that I'm only in it for the money, but I feel like I am working quite hard to attain my degree in chemistry (just as hard as an engineer) while only receiving the job security of an English major. </p>

<p>Question: I've read that it's possible to get a masters in chemical engineering after graduating with a bachelors in chemistry, but the details of the programs I have read about have proven to be vague at best. What can you tell me about these programs? How long do they usually take? Are there any opportunities for scholarships/fellowships/grants/stipends of any kind? If anyone has some first-person experience, it would be outstanding to hear about it!</p>

<p>I attend one of the top schools in Canada, specifically one renowned for its advancements in science. It's a pretty rigorous program. I have/will have taken: Calculus (1,2,3), linear algebra, differential equations, two semesters physical chem, thermodynamics, couple electromagnetism/atomic physics courses, and then obviously the chemistry courses (organic (1,2,3) inorganic (1,2), analytical chem, various other labs). I mention this because it's my understanding that with these masters programs, you first have to take undergraduate level courses to "get up to par" with the program, such as "intro to chemical engineering" or similar. I know chemistry programs at some other universities have lesser requirements, which makes me wonder how how much "catching up" I'd have to do. </p>

<p>Also, I'm wondering how competitive the programs are. I'm hoping to graduate with a 3.0 gpa, which sounds like a low number to shoot for, but due to grade deflation at my university and difficult courses, a 3.0 is the requirement for an honors degree. Obviously I'm going to have some summer research experience, or I may work for a year or so out of undergrad to gain some experience, but will I have I have to worry about my GPA? I'm a US citizen. </p>

<p>One last concern. I was considering switching majors to biochemistry, which is a little less math/physics/chem intensive. Would it still be possible to pursue a masters in chem eng? </p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

2

<p>You are in okay shape… not great shape for cheme. Like you said you will have to learn basic engineering principles which they don’t teach you as a chemistry major. I think biochemistry would be a bad decision as most of the biology you would learn would not add anything to your cheme application. My recommendation would be to take some basic cheme courses at your university (I assume this is a department at your school). This could help demonstrate your interest in an MS degree and help you avoid being rejected due to a lack of engineering fundamentals/core courses. Most cheme grad schools expect experience with PDEs, transport, and numerical methods in addition to the material you have already covered, as a starting point for possible course work. Also, use the MS cheme degree requirements as a guideline to picking out some of these courses that could benefit you. If you do this, it is possible to go to grad school in cheme. You have plenty of time to do this stuff and it would show a lot of motivation to adcoms.</p>

3

<p>Thanks, that’s some good advice. For some reason, taking the courses undergrad didn’t really occur to me, probably because my major is pretty tight as is. I suppose my final year, once I have a better idea of which direction I’m heading it, I can take some of those relevant courses. </p>

<p>Some of the programs I had read about suggested all you needed was a bachelors of science in anything to pursue a masters degree in any engineering field, playing “catch up” like I said. Obviously that might be a lot of catching up, but I was wondering if anyone had experience making a transition like this?</p>

4

<p>I’ve seen people done this. And I think it’s absolutely fine to switch your major. You may need to take few undergrad chem eng. classes.</p>