Chemical Engineering: Viability of specialization.

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>Hello again CC Forums. I have another question.</p>

<p>So I'm doing Chem Engineering at UCR and students have the option in specialization in one of three tracks. Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering (so I guess pure Chem E) and Nanotech.</p>

<p>I was wondering which path I should choose based on my goals.</p>

<p>The pipe dream is to work with DNA, viruses, and molecules. Something akin to a chemist, but using engineering principles to do things a pure chemist can not do. </p>

<p>The practical objective is to be as versatile as I can be so I can find a job shortly after graduation.</p>

<p>The short term objective is to graduate in two years, as that all the financial aid I have left.</p>

<p>For the moment, I'm not looking at grad school immediately. From what I've read, its better to work for a few years, then get grad school paid for while you learn the skills your employer wants you to learn, instead of going straight to grad school and possibly knowing nothing. </p>

<p>Do these specializations even matter since the degree will read "Chemical Engineering" foremost?</p>

<p>Here's what I know what feel I know about the following specializations (biases included):</p>

<p>BioChem: </p>

<p>More akin to BioE, which a cause of concern for me as many BioE have tough times finding employment after a B.S. However, I feel my Chem E background will circumvent that issue and allow me to have have the skills to work in the field I want. </p>

<p>Nanotech: </p>

<p>Nanotech like BioE is its infancy and thus many grads in this field have difficult time finding jobs. With watchdogs groups and general misunderstanding and mistrust Americans have new technologies and science in general, I don't see Nanotech becoming a major industry in the next 30 years so I feel like this is waste of a specialization option. Also, I may be ignorant, but I don't see the utility of this major towards my goals. </p>

<p>However, due to the Chem E background, I feel that will circumvent the issue as well. </p>

<p>Pure Chem E:</p>

<p>This seems like the obvious option, since its the field with the most core Chem E courses. The problem here is that this is also the most unit heavy option, so if I go at my pace, it will take more than 2 years to finish, or if I can fit all the load in 2 years, I'll be taking 5 or 6 courses a quarter. That is a difficult task, and knowing habits, and scheduling, I doubt I'll be able to do all that, get a good gpa and have a healthy psyche. </p>

<p>So I reiterate. Are there advantages for any particular specialization, or since it's all under the parent of Chem E, I'll be prepared regardless.</p>

<p>Additionally, if there is an advantage towards a particular one, will this advantage persist over time? Or will everything equalize after a few years?</p>

<p>All other input and opinions are welcome. </p>

<p>Thank you. </p>

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<p>If your " pipe dream is to work with DNA, viruses, and molecules" you need to go the Molecular Biology route rather than an Engineering (Biochemical, Chemical, or Nanotechnology)</p>

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<p>Ah I meant to also add working with chemicals as well.</p>

<p>However, I find your advice a bit conflicting with my prior knowledge. There is a lot of overlap between Chem E and Molec Bio and Ochem. Dna chips are fruits of Chem E for example. </p>

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<p>Co-valent binding of bits of DNA fragments onto any type of support media (ChemE or Nanotechnology) is trivial – any first year technical can do that task. The challenges are why were those specific DNA fragments chosen (e.g., biological questions asked or to be answered) that’s my reference to Molecular Biology</p>

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<p>I see. Then to the original question, does the specializations matter for a four year degree or should I just go for the route that allows me to graduate with least hiccups?</p>