Best Engineering Major

<p>With much emphasis put on quite honestly making money...there is a lot of talk of engineer majors getting a MBA, or minors in various business fields, etc. As a result, I have altered many of my interests to better suit my dream of entering the business world with a undergrad, master's in engineering and MBA. I'm considering BME or Mech...but now I'm considering industrial and materials science....Any insights on which field if "better suited" towards a career in business management type positions?</p>

<p>Also..what are the general differences btwn biological and biomed...i kno there have been countless threads but i just want a general overview plz..</p>

<p>My suggestion would either be ChemE or EE since both engineering fields make the most $$ out of any engineering field and they are in great demand. You are looking at easily making around $55K per year with either one of these majors, and that is only with a BS degree.</p>

<p>i say pick EE or Industrial/manufacturing engineering.......chem engineers get more money but that major is first of all VERY rigorous and most importantly, "BORING!" IMO.......</p>

<p>industrial/manufacturing engineering is probably the business related engineering.....couple that with a minor in business and you're good to go even with an undergrad degree...........its also very broad and gives you a wide range of job opportunities.......then again my opinion might be biased because im taking IE lol...............</p>

<p>Carl....could you tell me what type of job would an industrial/manufacturing engineer obtain? I know that this major is offered at my school, but I think it has a very low enrollment and am not sure what job opportunities one may find if majoring in this engineering field. I'm not trying to attack you but it just comes out of curiosity when there are other more prominient engineering fields such as ChemE, EE, MechE, Civil E, Material Science E, Nuke E etc etc</p>

<p>Switching topics here.....I have read that Berkeley offers a graduate program in Ocean Engineering. Does anybody know what area or field does ocean engineeirng specialize in?</p>

<p>ChemE, (biased yes but my second pick is further below) I say b/c it is versatile enough to be suited to about any other engineering job. It is used in almost any process to make anything from food to computers to petroleum. It offers a lot in say maybe you like computers. Instead of specializing like CompE and running the risk of not liking it and not really knowing where to turn (not saying it isn't versatile either but just an example) there are plenty of computer companies now willing to hire chemE's because of organic microchips.</p>

<p>It can use biology or bioE for pharmaceuticals. It can use MatSci for research into uses for the new materials created like carbon nanotubes. It uses a lot of MechE for an understanding the tools needed for a large amount of reactions for an extended period of time. Or Ag E for bioprocess engineering for foods and crops. I think that ChemE is largely adaptable, respected degree which is needed in the changing culture of today. So in conclusion I pretty much recommend (unless you're absolutely sure of a specialization) of general degrees like ChemE, EE, MechE, CivE in that order.</p>

<p>In response to Carl, if you find the subject of chemistry as related to efficiency and making things better on a large scale intriguinig (b/c if I said ChemE was exciting as all hell I'd be lying), then ChemE may be your thing. Yes, it is rigorious and companies know this and are more willing to hire b/c of it. I really ended up liking ChemE and the more I hear about it the more I like it. So I'm hoping this next year won't disappoint me.</p>

<p>Sidenote about Carl's post: Also industrial engineering is being somewhat phased out (just basically for a newer program with pretty much the same goal in mind) for General Engineering (which I have fondly nicknamed Business Engineering for my presentations) which is basically the same thing but more structured toward businesses and overall knowledge and a new sort of feature called a specialization (not a sub-specialty like EE or CivE has) which is picked soph or junior year and can be in anything from economics to robotics to advertising, business related to completely engineering related and anything in between including liberal arts majors.</p>

<p>I like the major a lot (although I wouldn't give up ChemE for it). It is a great idea from someone technologically oriented that doesn't want to resign themselves to doing a specific major for 4 years and wants to go into the business world. Patent lawyers are being recommended this track for obvious reasons (I know b/c people have already called me stupid for doing ChemE and wanting to go into law).</p>

<p>Thanks for replaying, is the "general engineering" a common major? I cant say I've ever noticed this major in my research....probably just looked over it though..</p>

<p>So basically, I do not want to major in chemical engineering, so would mechanical be teh best bet for an "overall" grasp of engineering keeping in mind the business aspect?</p>

<p>I'm looking to enter the business of assmeblylines, factory management, etc....would industrial, and most likely manufacturing be the best for this?</p>

<p>yes i think you should go for industrial engineering ..... probably be the best path for .......in my school its industrial/manufacturing engineering....all in one.....and i also love the fact that "business engineering" is being introduced.........thats precisely the path i would have chosen........but for now, i think its the closest related to business out of all the otehr engineering majors.......an industrial engineering undergrad coupled with an MBA looks VERY good......and illjinbravo ive been considering patent law as .......just dont know much about it......</p>

<p>judas,industrial engineers design stuff a lot....they deal a lot with efficiency and how to better machines,etc.......i think you'll like it....i hope i do(as i havnt started any IE classes yet)</p>

<p>i also hear a lot of people say that industrial engineering is a dying field.......but there are tonnes of jobs out there for industrial engineers......i think its 20 times better than getting a business undergrad(those are worthless lol)........</p>

<p>but i think any engineering degree attracts employers from very diverse fields..........</p>

<p>General Engineering is fairly new but well respected as far as the degree goes. Here's a link to the program at UIUC <a href="http://www.ge.uiuc.edu/ugrad/ugraddesc.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ge.uiuc.edu/ugrad/ugraddesc.html&lt;/a>. They are using it to replace the Industrial Engineering curriculum.</p>

<p>I never said Industrial Engineering is dying, I'm saying that it is being replaced by what most think is a better curriculum and to show the change it is being given a new name (which most hate b/c people think they are engineering majors that decided not to select a major but doing an general engineering curriculum until they decide.) That's all I have for General Engineering.</p>

<p>In my opinion, if you plan to get an MBA, you'd be better served by getting a broad degree such as EE or ChemE. I've also heard that Patent Law firms prefer EE (and ChemE to a lesser extent) majors over other Engineering majors for their versatility.</p>

<p>According to ABET, UIUC has offered the BS General Engineering since 1936 and the BS Industrial Engineering since 1960. Why would GE be replacing IE?</p>

<p>Hmmm that's strange. I guess I was uninformed. That is what general engineers told me is what is happening. I know the curriculum was revamped (but I also knew in the back of my mind the years by ABET and did even ask about that as well) and maybe that is the reason for the change. General engineering is, for what I know, known as being pretty new or maybe new as in how much it is being pushed (a lot now) b/c comparing the number of undergraduates enrolled in GenE (176) to IE (11). Oh well the trend is more GEs and less IEs at U of I. Maybe it is just a GE-favored rumor that was created upon the discovery of a general trend.</p>

<p>You should try to pick a field that is very well rounded. For example, in ChemE, topics range from the medical to petroleum and even the electrical fields. I believe this field to be quite well rounded and thus believe that employers will find a ChemE degree very attractive. The better rounded off you are, the more valuable you will in the market. </p>

<p>Yet, if ChemE is not your thing (it is the hardest engineering field out there), then I would suggest EE. EE, in one perspective, does not have a well roundness as ChemE, but it sure does become beneficial when you are talking about computers, IT Information, Semiconductors and other eletrical related fields. Therefore, having a degree in EE will serve you very well in the field that EE specializes in because simply put, electricity is essential for human existence. Computers also become very handy when you have an EE degree. EE also have a very high starting salary (almost comparable to ChemE). </p>

<p>Lastly, the other major fields that I would recommend would either be MechE or CivE. MechE, on one hand, is very well rounded like ChemE. Their topics can cover fluid mechanics, mechanical design, thermodynamics, and other engineering appliances. I am pretty sure that they are somewhat in demand but ChemE and EE easily surpass MechE when trying to get a job. The pay for MechE is also in the region for ChemE and EE. </p>

<p>On the other hand, CivE is essential to our everyday needs. They are in demand as long as new structures or facilities are being created or renovated. However, I have heard and read many times that CivE's are the lowest paying engineeirng field. Also, to become actively working in the CivE field, I believe that you would have to pass the PE exam to become a Professional Engineer.</p>

<p>Thanks Everyone!...on a final note, how good would biomedical engineering be?...after hearing about chemE, EE, general engineering, industrial/manufacturing, etc..</p>

<p>BME is one of the fastest growing engineering fields in the country right now. Schools cannot keep up with the demand for students wanting to get into this field. Some schools even limit enrollment in their new programs until they get it off the ground. BME is also one of the toughest engineering programs out there. Many top schools are sinking millions of dollars into new facilities and labs for their BME programs. </p>

<p>Top 4 according to US News 2006 are
1. Hopkins
2. Duke
3. UC San Diego
4. Georgia Tech and MIT (tie)</p>

<p>As far as Industrial Engineering goes - Georgia Tech is #1 in that field. A large majority of their IE grads go on to work for UPS and other major companies in the Atlanta area. You can always check out the schools websites and look over the different curriculum requirements before you decide.</p>

<p>chemE = coolest engineering major out there.</p>

<p>Biotech offered in UCSD as a Bioengineering degree is a fantastic option. it a new and upcoming branch...lots of money...once you do ur Masters that is</p>

<p>Also, if you get a B.S. in chemE, you can blend in with the graduate program with B.M.E and get your master's or PHD in that area very easily. I know quite a few people who are chemE's who, in the future, will be in the BME in track. The two subjects are actually related closely.</p>

<p>this might sound funny....but does anyone know if you can go to graduate school as an EE major if you have a BS in ChemE?</p>

<p>
[quote]
this might sound funny....but does anyone know if you can go to graduate school as an EE major if you have a BS in ChemE?

[/quote]

See this thread for a thorough discussion:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=85567%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=85567&lt;/a>. It talks about physics majors going to enginering grad school, but most of the points are still valid.</p>

<p>
[quote]
this might sound funny....but does anyone know if you can go to graduate school as an EE major if you have a BS in ChemE?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Sure why not. I happen to know one guy very well who got his BS in ChemE and is now in grad-school EECS at MIT. </p>

<p>Perhaps the most radical shift I know is a guy who is in gradschool doing Civil Engineering at MIT, yet his bachelor's is in Biology. Granted, that biology degree was from Harvard, but still, it's a pretty radical shfit.</p>

<p>sakky...could you tell me about the program at MIT in which you can get an MBA and simultaneously get a degree MS degree in any engineering field? Is there a website where I can more information? thanks</p>