I am a senior in high school. I love math and science and I know that I want to major in engineering/science. Biomedical engineering interested me due to my interest in health science, and environmental engineering interested me because I like environmental conservation, sustainability, etc.
However, I will probably, eventually go to grad school. So is getting an undergrad in biomed or environmental engineering worth it? Or is getting a mechanical eng degree with a minor in biology or environmental science, etc. more reasonable? In terms of jobs and my ability to get a good engineering job (I’d preferably like to be building and designing things. If biomed- working in a hospital, or developing new technology, gadgets, prosthetics, etc. If environmental- using engineering for conservation, sustainability, environmentally friendly building, etc.) which major is the best option? And finally, does it matter if I’m most likely going to grad school anyway?
Background Info:
I’m looking at CU Denver which has an exceptionally strong biology program as well as strong health sciences and science programs in general. The biomed engineering program here is great because they have a BS/MS for the major, as well exposure for undergraduates in research, internships, etc through the CU Denver Anschutz Med School. I don’t know as much about their environmental engineering program, but the school prides themselves as being very connected with Denver businesses and development projects. I’m also just genuinely curious about the field and major. I’m also considering Colo State Univ. which has highly regarded environmental science programs and a competitive environmental engineering program.
I’ll probably figure out my true passion once I take classes, but I need help picking a starting point. Any insight from engineers, or engineering students would be super helpful and greatly appreciated.
As a bioE major, I was apprehensive about applying bioE, and ultimately I’ve decided to switch to electrical with a minor in bio. Companies will definitely like me better with an EECS degree because I have a wider and better skill set than bioE, which uses electrical but is not as focused as I want it to be.
Your safest and best bet is mechanical engineering, which could be very well applied to aerospace, bio, or environmental. Grad school is for focusing on a specific field to apply mechanical engineering to-- you can choose, and hopefully have a better idea, then. If you major in either of those three fields instead of mechanical, you’re left with a small niche compared to the many possibilities you can apply yourself to as a mechE major.
I have a friend who’s always wanted to work at NASA, worked with JPL quite often and he decided to apply as a mechE because aero was too small a niche and therefore super competitive.
Tl;dr can’t go wrong with mechE, take classes/do research to find out what field you specifically want to apply yourself to!
People tend to believe BMEs have trouble entering industry with just a BS, but that’s going to depend on your school and what you make of networking opportunities. My city is a hub for biotech, so nobody in my program is worried.
If you fully intend to go to grad school, what you choose for undergrad doesn’t matter as much. Feel free to pick BME. If you’re interested in technology, prostheses, etc, and want a paid career immediately after graduation, you might be better off in mechE, EE, or even comp sci. If you’re interested in microfluidics or tissue engineering, ChemE might be worth pursuing. Many of my professors were ChemE undergrads, especially the ones running research labs.
Can’t help with environmental. Many people consider it a joke, but I don’t like that attitude. People act that way about BME as well.