Bioengineering vs Chemical Engineering @ UCSD

<p>I'm a prospective UCSD transfer student exploring my options, and I've been taking a gander at both Bioengineering and ChemE. The former is impacted while the latter is not. Both majors interest me, however, my main concern are the job prospects for each. I don't have plans to pursue med school. I've heard ChemE is good to go at the Bachelor's level, but what about BioEng?</p>

<p>Most people on this board will say that in order to get a decent job with a BioEng degree you need an advance degree.</p>

<p>I don’t know the requirements to get into a MS in BioEng program, but I’m will to bet a ChemE degree will cover most of those requirements. As someone looking towards the future, and unsure about where you want to end up, I would keep as many doors open as possible. A ChemE degree is more versatile and a BioEng degree will niche you into a medical field (pharma, biotech, medical device, etc.), or at least make you think you should… All of which you can enter into with a ChemE degree… at least you could when I got my ChemE degree.</p>

<p>Chemical engineering generally has better job and career prospects at the bachelor’s degree level than bioengineering.</p>

<p>Hi, I graduated from UCSD in BioE. For kicks, I’m just looking back at what it’s like to apply, and giving a helping opinion.</p>

<p>UCSD BioE has lots of prestige, but I think that prestige is more inclusive in the areas of research and graduate school, than getting a job in industry right after graduation. I think you can do a lot more with a ChemE degree. BioE is too diverse, even though UCSD’s BioE is focused on mechanical engineering. When you apply for jobs, you’ll find a lot more saying BS in Chem E required, rather than BS in BME required.</p>

<p>If you’re inclined to do research, BioE is perfect. But if you’re into industry, go ChemE.</p>