<p>I'm a first year in the engineering school at UVa, and am fairly sure that I want to major in either Chemical or Biomedical Engineering. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble getting an idea of what the next few years of my life will be like depending on the choice I make. I understand the type of work done by the respective majors, but I'm interested in career options I'll have after college, salaries, and especially what kind of student I have to be to succeed in these classes. Right now, I'm leaning towards Chemical because the technology is present in many more industries, while biomed is a relatively new major. What I'm really looking for is pros and cons to help me decide which major I would be more successful in. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Biomedical will lead to making medical and diagnostic devices. It is much more like a cross between biochem and mechanical engineering.</p>
<p>Chemical engineering can get you into biomed, as well as other industries, where you can develop your skills and knowledge in a working setting. However, ChemEs will be more likely go into drug manufacturing or drug delivery devices, at least as far as the medical industry goes.</p>
<p>So, I guess the question is; do you want to make machines that help people or chemicals/drugs that help people?</p>
<p>Biomed will focus on the machines were ChemE can focus anywhere, even outside the industry.</p>
<p>I have no idea on salary comparison, but I would assume competition is fierce for the jobs that require that degree.</p>
<p>Biomedical engineering is too broad of a field. You have MechEs designing prosthetics and artificial arts, EEs designing imaging technology and insulin pumps, and ChemEs designing biocompatible materials for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. Of course these is just a sample of these guys do.</p>
<p>Find an area of biomedical engineering that interests you, and pick your engineering major based on your interest. For me, I'm interested in the tissue engineering and drug delivery side of things, so working on biomaterials (polymers, composites, etc) is a natural choice for me. Biochemical engineering is another field that I find interesting, although it's not truly biomedical engineering and more of biotechnology.</p>
<p>Personally, i'd go with ChemE, the jobs pay better.</p>
<p>ChemE will give you access to a more diverse employment base...this is important as the economy slows down, and different industries are affected. Biomedical is quite limiting.</p>
<p>In addition to the medical stuff ChemEs can work on</p>
<p>Energy and Fuels which will incorporate energy production and conservation and help find new sources of energy in fuel cells and Hydroen Technology</p>
<p>Polymer engineering which can include the processing, development, and properties of polymers and plastics</p>
<p>Essentially when it comes down to everything. A Chem E can do pretty much most of the things a BME can do, but that is not the case vice versa</p>