Bioengineering: Biotechnology or Chemical Engineering?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - San Diego
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<p>Hello all! I will be entering UCSD next fall as a Bioengineering:Biotechnology major in Muir college. I've been greatly interested in biotechnology for several years, but things I have read on this site as well as in other places have been a bit disheartening. I have heard that bioengineering is very niche and less respected than other well-established engineering disciplines. I am considering changing to Chemical Engineering; after all, what I am ultimately interested in is the engineering of things on extremely small scales. However, I am a bit reluctant, knowing that UCSD is known for its biological sciences above all else. So, I was wondering if anyone could lend some advice. Are the advantages of a chemical engineering undergraduate degree over a biological engineering one enough to outweigh the benefits of what I have heard to be a more prestigious department? Should I aim to transfer to another UC if I want to switch over (I have a sizable number of AP credits)? </p>

<p>I know I'm jumping the gun on this problem, but I like to think ahead. I'm well aware my opinions might change once I'm actually at UCSD, but again, I like to think things over a lot. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance for your help!</p>

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<p>UCSD Biomedical Engineering is number 5 in the nation. </p>

<p>[Biomedical</a> | Rankings | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-biological-biomedical]Biomedical”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-biological-biomedical)</p>

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<p>yeah, I understand that. What I’m wondering is your opinion on whether the prestige of BioE at UCSD outweighs the advantages of a different engineering major at the undergraduate level. </p>

<p>Thanks for replying!</p>

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<p>UCSD is sufficiently highly-regarded in all the disciplines you named such that it really doesn’t matter. Your post-grad employers are going to be WAY more interested in what you’ve done with your major than the fact that you went to a #5 school instead of a #3 school.</p>

<p>(and remember, rankings can change. who’s to predict what’s going to happen in 4 years?)</p>

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<p>I couldn’t find anything about UCSD’s chemical engineering ranking, but I can clearly see UCSD’s high ranking in bioengineering. </p>

<p>But you’re right. All this ranking stuff might be going to my head.</p>