ChemE/BME Double Major?

[WhydidKDleave]

Hi all!

I am 100% certain that I want to be an engineer. Without a doubt. But now I am running into some issues about which field of engineering might be for me. I have considered ChemE for a while because I have always loved the human body, but now that I have taken my first chemistry/physics classes and read up on other disciplines, I think ChemE might be for me. As of now, I am considering a double major for a few reasons. One, it will give me flexibility in terms of grad school and career (have a more indepth background) and two, their interdependence will further develop my understanding about the subjects.

My questions are:

1. Is it crazy to consider a double major in ChemE and BME?
2. Could you let me know of some reputable ChemE/BME schools (looking for more safeties and matches)?

Thank you!

[MaineLonghorn]

There is no advantage to double majoring. If I were you, I would pick ChemE. Then you can specialize in grad school if you want.

[eyemgh]

I’m going to beat @boneh3ad to the punch…don’t assume you’ll go to graduate school. Things change. With that said, I agree with @MaineLonghorn. Of those two, ChemE is the way to go. It’s better as a stand alone BS. Once you get started, you might want to switch to something that isn’t even on your radar yet. Don’t sweat it. Lateral moves aren’t usually difficult and aren’t uncommon. The exception can be schools where admission to the major, either right out of HS or after a bit of UG, are competitive. Even then, it’s possible. It might just be competitive.

[texaspg]

At a good engineering school, you will take longer than 4 years to do double major in engineering.

[WhydidKDleave]

thank you for your advice. Quick followup question: why does a school like Berkeley offer double majors in engineering if it cannot be completed in 4 years?

[WhydidKDleave]

The berkeley programs are all 4 years btw,

[texaspg]

http://engineering.berkeley.edu/academics/majors-minors/double-majors

No more than five upper division technical courses can overlap between the two majors.
A minimum of five distinct (not overlapped) upper division courses must be completed for each major.
A minimum UC GPA of 3.0 is needed to be considered for the double major. However, some majors require a higher GPA and some majors require a minimum technical GPA as well.
Some majors also require a minimum number of prerequisite courses to be completed prior to admission. Consult with your Engineering Student Services adviser about specific course requirements.
If a ninth semester is required to complete the double major, the request must be made at the time of application. Requests for this additional semester are generally approved; consult with your Engineering Student Services adviser.

If the school has to discuss having to do a 9th semester, I think it is more common than not that people are running into issues.

[eyemgh]

It’s really a simple numbers game. In order to add another full degree, you have to add all the required coursework that doesn’t overlap. Most engineering curricula have very little room, if any, for additional electives (which is the space other majors use to finish doubles in four years).

[bodangles]

At my school I had to drop the idea of a minor because ChemE + honors requirements were bad enough. Don’t overload yourself if at all possible.

[KF7LCE]

Engineering is already a full plate as it is, 16 hours of engineering will probably eat up all of your time if you want a grad school level GPA. Forget about taking any more classes on top of that. So you are probably looking at 2 or 3 extra years of school, and all the tuition dollars that go with it, to get a second degree that really provides no benefit.

I’d just major in chemical engineering and call it good.