<p>I am a sophomore ChemE and trying to decide between Chemical or Biochemical Engineering track, since the courses are starting to split off. As of now I'm going towards Biochemical. I would like to find out which type of jobs you will get from both of these majors. Also, if I chose the Bio track would I have a harder time getting a job over the student that chose the traditional ChemE track? I just don't understand the difference because when you choose the Biochemical Engineering track, you still graduate with a Chemical Engineer degree, except you will have a background in bio. I'm not worried about salary differences or going to grad school. If any chemical or biochemical engineer students or graduates could help me out I would appreciate it.</p>
<p>Hi joh312,</p>
<p>Current sentiment amongst employers is that bioE majors are less appealing than chemE majors. This is the case because employers feel that bioE majors enter the work force with a broad scope of knowledge. On the other hand ChemEs leave college with a great depth of specialized knowledge. Most would say that bioE is a 6-9 year program from the beginning of ones undergraduate career. bioE is an especially good major for those who are looking to enter graduate programs focusing on health professions. Many would argue that for ChemE only an undergraduate degree is required to be successful. So what it comes down to here for you is where your passions lie. If you are very interested in the clinical aspects of science and health professions then bioE is the choice for you. I have no doubt that you will find success as a bioE if your passions are direct towards research, clinical thinking, mathematics, and innovation. If however your thinking is more process oriented and concrete than chemE is for you. Best of luck to you with your decision. </p>
<p>credentials: Engineer in the pharmaceutical industry and current BioE undergrad</p>
<p>wait. so if you want to work in a pharmaceutical company, you can be either right?</p>
<p>twlazelek, he’s not talking about bioE, he’s talking about the biochemical concentration within a chemical engineering degree program, so your whole post is irrelevant. </p>
<p>I would think that a biochemical concentration within a ChemE program would be really attractive in the biotech industry. </p>
<p>UMASS has such a program and I recall they had a good discussion about it on their website. They claim that biotech firms dominate ChemE employment in Massachusetts, and that’s why they created the special concentration.</p>