Engineering with a Possible Med Future

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>I really want to do engineering (either aerospace or computer science), but, after a bachleors in enginnering, would like to get into med school. Could I take some biology classes along with my engineering couses to prepeare for taking the MCAT and getting into med school, or is there a completly different process? I am planning to go to University of Illinois @ Urbana.</p>

<p>Also, could you guys suggest which major would be better (for job prospects): aero or CS?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Yes, you need to look at what courses are prerequisites for medical school and take them as electives or extra courses.</p>

3

<p>I believe there are a LOT more jobs in CS than aerospace, as many more companies that do the former than the latter. One thing to keep in mind with regard to pre-med, GPA is very important for med school admissions. Getting high grades in engineering is more challenging than in some other fields.</p>

<p>My niece majored in history and got into her goal, podiatry school. My nephew majored in math and biology and got into med school. You just need to take all the courses you wlll need to be a strong med student and do well on the MCATs, as well as have a high GPA.</p>

4

<p>I completly agree, I wanted engineering as a backup in case I did not get into medical school. Thanks for your help.</p>

5

<p>Most engineering majors have lots of course requirements that can make it hard to fit the extra pre-med courses in. Chemical and biomedical engineering have more overlap between major requirements and pre-med courses.</p>

<p>Computer science majors offered in letters/arts/science divisions may have more elective space than computer science majors offered in engineering divisions. But check the requirements for the major at each school to see if fitting in the pre-med courses is realistic.</p>

6

<p>For UIUC specifically:</p>

<p>CS in engineering has 19-22 credits of free electives, where you may be able to fit the 3 non-overlapping chemistry and 2 non-overlapping biology courses. You would also need to choose the recommended or required sociology and psychology courses in your breadth courses:
[Course</a> Information Suite, Course Catalog, Class Schedule, Programs of Study, General Education Requirements, GenEd](<a href=“http://provost.illinois.edu/ProgramsOfStudy/2011/fall/programs/undergrad/engin/comp_sci.html]Course”>http://provost.illinois.edu/ProgramsOfStudy/2011/fall/programs/undergrad/engin/comp_sci.html)</p>

<p>Math/CS in liberal arts and science leaves about 50-52 credits for both breadth and free electives. However, all pre-med course requirements other than math would be needed, since the major does not include any chemistry or physics.
[Course</a> Information Suite, Course Catalog, Class Schedule, Programs of Study, General Education Requirements, GenEd](<a href=“http://provost.illinois.edu/ProgramsOfStudy/2011/fall/programs/undergrad/las/math_computer_sci.html]Course”>http://provost.illinois.edu/ProgramsOfStudy/2011/fall/programs/undergrad/las/math_computer_sci.html)</p>

<p>Aerospace engineering has only 6 credits of free electives, but would still need the same 3 additional chemistry courses and 2 additional biology courses that CS in engineering needs:
[Course</a> Information Suite, Course Catalog, Class Schedule, Programs of Study, General Education Requirements, GenEd](<a href=“http://provost.illinois.edu/ProgramsOfStudy/2011/fall/programs/undergrad/engin/aero.html]Course”>http://provost.illinois.edu/ProgramsOfStudy/2011/fall/programs/undergrad/engin/aero.html)</p>

7

<p>Now, if I have AP credit for Calc II, Comp Sci, Literature and Comp, and Physics, how much more free elective time would I have?</p>

8

<p>For UIUC, purposes, [U&lt;/a&gt; of I Admissions: Advanced Placement](<a href=“http://admissions.illinois.edu/academics/placement_ap.html]U”>Academics, Undergraduate Admissions, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) describes what you may be exempt from.</p>

<p>Math AP will give you one or two semesters of free elective space:</p>

<p>4 on calculus AB or BC = skip Math 221
5 on calculus BC = skip Math 221, 231</p>

<p>Since you will take at least two more semesters of more advanced math, it should be ok for pre-med purposes.</p>

<p>English AP can get you out of some requirements at UIUC:</p>

<p>4 on English language = skip Rhetoric 105
4 on English literature = skip Rhetoric 105 and English 110</p>

<p>However, you may still have to choose what medical schools consider to be English composition courses for your breadth electives or free electives, since they may not accept AP credit for that purpose.</p>

<p>Physics C (not B) AP can get you out of some of your major requirements for CS (engineering) and aerospace engineering:</p>

<p>5 on physics C mechanics = skip Physics 211
5 on physics C E&M = skip Physics 212</p>

<p>Again, medical schools may not accept AP credit for pre-med course requirements, so if you skip, you may need to take advanced physics courses and labs in substitution.</p>

9

<p>2 decades ago I completed an EE undergraduate and then completed the 4 pre-med courses I lacked at cc. None of the med schools held that against me and I really had a great experience at the cc’s I attended. You can take these courses over the summers but try to take the courses closer to your MCAT exam date. The big deal is to maintain a high gpa.</p>

10

<p>if you really want to go into medicine you should choose an engineering major more related to that field i.e. chemical/biomedical aerospace and computer have little to do with the medical field. CHE/BME engineering students have to take organic chemistry, biology, blah blah blah</p>