Biomedical Engineering and....viruses?

<p>I've never posted in this section of CC before, so I'll try to keep this on point.</p>

<p>I was accepted to Duke's Pratt School of Engineering, intended on BME. Recently, however, I have also been re-acquainting myself with my first love in Biology--virology/immunology. I always wanted to work BME into those two areas (I want to focus on Protein/Tissue Engineering) and maybe even work with infectious disease. </p>

<p>Now my question:</p>

<p>Realistically, can one major in BME, focused on protein engineering, and still have dalliances in virology/immunology, or is that just a pipe dream?</p>

<p>Secondly:</p>

<p>Given my interests in virology/immunology, regardless of the answer to my first question, would it be prudent to double major in Biology with a focus on molecular/cellular? Or perhaps Chemistry with a focus on biochem? </p>

<p>I'm trying to give myself as many options as I possibly can, so that I don't fall on my face when I apply to grad school in four years.</p>

<p>Thanks so much! :)</p>

<p>You should check the requirements of BME at Duke to see how realistic it would be to work in all the areas you list. </p>

<p>Look for a normal 4 year degree plan, check on the waivers for any AP classes etc that allow you to take on classes for a second major. Look into the professors’ research interests in BME to see if anyone matches your own. </p>

<p>What you need to evaluate are the following:</p>

<ol>
<li> How many required classes are there for BME? How many outside core classes are needed and can you get waivers?</li>
</ol>

<p>How many extra classes can you take in your areas of interest in the 4 year period based on the above? </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Do you want a double major or just pursue additional classes?</p></li>
<li><p>Can your interests be fulfilled doing research with a professor instead of a second major?</p></li>
<li><p>Why would you do BME if your interests are purely sciences? What is your graduate studies plan?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I’m not sure off the back of my hand about major requirements, all I know is that double majoring is very common (and even encouraged) at Duke. </p>

<p>as for BME, I’ve always been really interested in Biomedical Engineering, but I’ve been equally interested in Immunology/Virology so this is more of a case in which I’m torn between both, and can’t decide/want to work both of them in.</p>