<p>I have decided that it would be in my best interest to double major in computer science/biochemistry + molecular biology to cement my future career and research prospects. The only drawback, is that in all likelihood the degree will require five years for completion. The five-year timeline would give me the opportunity to pursue research during the summers and average out at about seventeen (or less) credits per semester.</p>
<p>Its not reasonable, but I doubt you care to have people tell you that. For starters, you mention career prospects. The “union card” to work as anything above a glorified bottle washer is a PhD, not a BS. So if you really want to get into a career position in Bio somewhere then you’re going to need a PhD. Most people find just a CS or just a biochem major plenty to handle. Which means spending 5 years in a grueling workload is both ill-advised in terms of your GPA, and because it wastes a year you could spend working towards that PhD. If you want CS exposure then take a few classes in it, maybe even a minor if your school offers it. You’ll have all the opportunity you need to pick up additional classes of interest in the area during the 5-8 years it will take to get the PhD.</p>
<p>Thank you for your input … it might be helpful to add that the aforementioned program would allow me to to secure a job in bioinformatics/computational biology directly upon graduation - that way, I’ll have the resources to cover any educational costs related to my pursuit of a masters in biotech (one year time-frame) and a PhD in biomedical engineering. Please let me know if you any additional contributions in light of these extra details</p>
<p>First off, there are no costs to you for a PhD at a decent or better program. You actually get paid for going to school via grants and serving as a TA/RA. Funding is much harder to come by for a MS, but I think you ought to be able to find a PhD program that will let you take all the classes you’d take for the MS in Biotech while working on the PhD.</p>
<p>Second, how sure are you that that job you mention right after graduation exists? From what I’ve been told, jobs in the sciences with real meat behind them take a PhD. I’d be happy to be wrong here, but I risk nothing while you’re betting the next 5 years of your life that I am. Hope you win that bet.</p>