<p>I'm trying to decide between UGA's bio and GaTech's BME/bio. Can anybody here shed some light in this topic?</p>
<p>You’re basically asking if a Ferrari Enzo or a Honda Accord is a better car. </p>
<p>UGA’s bio program is 3rd tier and ranked 4th in the state. Coming out of their you have basically 0 employment prospects. GT’s BME program is #2 in the world, has a starting salary of over $60,000 per year. GT is a 1st tier university that is nationally recognized for it’s academic prestige, UGA is basically known for Herschel Walker and is generally considered to be a party school. GT is a research university with over $500 million in annual research funding, UGA has more students and programs and doesn’t even crack $150 million in research (and most of that goes to the Vet school). GT has a biomedical engineering complex, a biomedical program with joint Emory’s Medical School, cutting edge research, and the top faculty in the world. UGA has none of that.</p>
<p>The schools aren’t even comparable. The only reason to go to UGA would be if you couldn’t get into GT.</p>
<p>Who exactly in the state is ahead of UGA’s bio program? This is not including Georgia Tech’s BME that is (because you guys actually have a straight-up bio program too). I didn’t even know those were ranked. And how are they ranked? </p>
<p>And anyway, biomedical engineering=lots of useful applications automatically (as in a much larger chunk of coursework will be more hands-on and will be less boring than just sitting in a lecture hall), which is awesome in my opinion. If you wanna do the extra work and desire a non-traditional biology curriculum , go BME. Georgia Tech in particular does it really well as BanjoHitter implied.<br>
Unfortunately comparing a bio program to a BME is like comparing apples and oranges. Do you want lots of hands on applications? Do you want to be an engineer?
I’m sure UGA biology works just fine if you don’t want to be an engineer, though I would like to assume that Tech’s actual biology department would be smaller. This could mean more easily accessible opportunities and a better performance. Despite Tech being hard, I’m sure that having smaller classes helps eventually. Easy to get lost if all course sections are so large, and competition for opps. in the field could be more fierce as the demand is higher simply because of the extremely large student body. My friend at UGA is a pre-med bio major and enjoys it so far, says it’s not that hard, but the classes are really large.<br>
Yeah, you really need to decide if you want want BME or traditional biology. I’m guessing Tech and UGA do biology well.</p>
<p>I mentioned more facts in the other thread, but here they are again:</p>
<p>UGA research funding: $150 million with 35,000 students
GT research funding: $500 million with 17,000 students</p>
<p>UGA Bio: 10 faculty members
GT BME: 45 faculty members at GT, 32 faculty members at Emory, 15 faculty members in the Georgia Tech - Peking University joint program</p>
<p>UGA Bio: 7 listed active research opportunities, most of which are not at UGA
GT BME: 36 active labs seeking undergraduate research assistants</p>
<p>UGA Bio: 3rd Tier
GT BME: #2 in the world </p>
<p>UGA Bio = 1746 students
GT BME = 970 students</p>
<p>So UGA has more students for less research positions, less funding, and less faculty.</p>
<p>When comparing schools, I think it’s also good to look at each schools’ comparable set (the schools to which it compares itself). UGA’s comparable set include Iowa, Kentucky, NC State, and UC-Davis. UGA’s “aspirational” set includes Penn State and Minnesota.</p>
<p>GT’s comparable set includes Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Northwestern, and UC-Berkeley. There is no “aspirational” set for GT.</p>
<p>I’m really trying to figure out if this poster does indeed understand that biology and BME are significantly different. The experience throughout each one could be entirely different. Again, how well does just the biology major do at Tech. I can’t assume it’s great just because BME is. What if the person straight up decided that they wanted to do biology. Is Tech’s good? Though you are certainly right about research. Also, how many profs. at Tech teach UGs amongst those (I know Potter does, I was surprised that y’all had neuro courses, bet they are as hard as ours if not worse)? Are they good profs. Depts. at LACs are small, but apparently the teaching is excellent and the curriculum is rigorous. Some depts could be full of faculty that don’t really teach well. I think this also matters for UG education. Though of course I wouldn’t know if either Tech or UGA has great teaching quality in said areas. Could assume so for Tech I guess.<br>
As for research funding, appears you folks are catching up lol (or is that more than ours).<br>
Banjo: I guess my question is: Since you go/went there. Does the BME program’s success heavily influence the normal bio major or are they almost completely separate in terms of quality comparison? Kind of like how it’s hard to compare Neuroscience and Bio here b/c most of the courses for NBB are in psyche and anthro. Do courses often overlap?</p>
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<p>Honda Accord? THAT high? Dude, GT vs UGA is like comparing a Ferrari Enzo to a 1983 bashed up used Honda Civic or something.</p>
<p>UGA Bio = 1746 students
GT BME = 970 students</p>
<p>Really?</p>
<p>Yes. You can go to each school’s IRP (Institutional Research and Planning department) and search for enrollment data by major.</p>
<p>GT: [Enrollment</a> by College](<a href=“http://www.irp.gatech.edu/apps/Enrollment/college.cfm?TERM=201102&time_status=Total]Enrollment”>http://www.irp.gatech.edu/apps/Enrollment/college.cfm?TERM=201102&time_status=Total)
UGA: <a href=“https://facts.oir.uga.edu/enrollment/index.cfm[/url]”>https://facts.oir.uga.edu/enrollment/index.cfm</a></p>
<p>The thing is that I got Ramsey for UGA and didn’t make President’s Scholarship for Tech, and now UGA holds some sway. I heard that Tech is really competitive and hard to get in labs because of the large pool of science/engineering major. Is this true?</p>
<p>I am a biology major at GT. I really love it here. The only problem I have with our program is that there are not many ways to specialize as an undergraduate. There are a few certificate programs. I am working towards a marine biology certificate. They assume that most bio majors at GT are planning on medical school (I’m not). Georgia Tech is unparalleled though in the amount of research opportunities. Georgia Tech also has many helpful programs in finding research and internships in fields your interested in. (I have an internship at the Atlanta Zoo) They also have many job/internship fairs with very prestigious employers. What you have to look at though is how you’re going to look to employers after you graduate. With a diploma from tech you’re automatically going to be put above many people on their list of prospectives. UGA is now seen as a party school to most and even though they have a good biology program, many employers will still see that stereotype.
You asked if it’s hard to get positions in labs? No, you just have to be willing to get to know professors and ask them about their research. There are a lot more positions and research grants with fewer bio majors at tech and a lot fewer positions with a lot more bio majors at UGA.
Sorry I hope I’m not sounding too biased, but I really believe Tech is a better choice. I got a full ride scholarship somewhere else and didn’t get any aid besides the hope scholarship at Tech.
You should really visit the schools so you can get a feel for where you would be happier!</p>
<p>I recently visited Tech, and I think a big problem with it, if you couldn’t tell by the people posting, is that lots of Tech students are really pretentious and think they are ridiculously smart. However, I’m sure this is true at most good schools. Most of the intelligent people I know are choosing UGA honors for Biology vs Tech. UGA has so many majors and courses to choose from. I think at UGA you have a really good chance to stand out, especially if you’re a Ramsey scholar! Are you still in the running for Foundations? Obviously I would DEFINITELY pick FF over Tech. And, you also may have the chance to transfer into FF 2nd year, correct? I would definitely keep that in mind as well.</p>
<p>Anyway, I say all this but will most likely be going to Tech next fall as a PS. Tech is a very practical school. There are sooo many internship opportunities. I think the study abroad isn’t as appealing as UGA, but that’s because at UGA you get to take some easy classes in Greece while at Tech you would be slaving through tough courses in Brussels or something. So Tech is still more practical there. Well that’s abut it, sorry if i confused you!</p>
<p>Go to GT. It’s a stronger brand that will be with you for a life-time.</p>
<p>Yeah, its a really tough decision. I waz really disappointed not making President’s Scholarship after making FF interview (which guanrantees Ramsey). I want to become a researcher/or PhD./MD at med school. So having many options is crucial.
UGA and Tech are vastly contrasting schools. One is laid back, while the other is more intense. In terms of research, both are equally appealing, tho GaTech is stronger in BME. I don’t care much tho, cuz coming as an undergraduate, I won’t get a chance to exploit that resource discrepancies. In case I dont make FF, I really will have to weight the options, namely, will Ramsey offer that much to compensate for the quality of the programs, unfavorable student atmosphere, etc ?</p>
<p>“I don’t care much tho, cuz coming as an undergraduate, I won’t get a chance to exploit that resource discrepancies.”
sorry, but never underestimate your ability to do this simply because you are an undergrad. You’ll be surprised what opportunities just seem to fall in your hand. Don’t be so cynical. Certainly expect the unexpected to happen. Also, what do you mean by “unfavorable student atmosphere”? Is this at UGA( I just assume Ramsey refers to it)? </p>
<p>Also, while standing out is great Tech is a stronger brand and will probably expose you to a much more rigorous education , which may hurt at first, but will be worth it in the end. I believe like many top schools, especially engineering schools, much of the courses are problem-based learning (I think BME curriculum is based off of this, I considered it at various points before applying to college). This is a really good style of education in the sciences from what I observe over there and here They are trying to widen its influence in the science over here, it goes over really well especially w/all the pre-med students, despite it making courses much harder than what they would otherwise be (as in from hard to very hard. The method is mostly employed in biology, psychology, and neuroscience here, and sometimes tried in chem. Luckily the learning support and profs. are extremely supportive/available). I like what I see. UGA, up until a certain point I imagine is just trying to design the coursework around the number of people enrolled (I’d imagine it’s difficult to employ any form of PBL or case-based learning in class sections that are greater than 150-200 students). However, maybe you should ask those involved over there if there are any innovative teaching methods being used in any of the science courses you are planning to take. Perhaps with Ramsey scholar, you can take advantage of those opportunities more easily if they are available. Such courses will help you and you’re almost guaranteed to learn a lot even if you must work harder. I would just guess that such methods are already more plentiful at Tech as it is great at “training” people. If you think you can deal w/both environments, look at how they choose to educate and support students (teaching methods, rigor, support apparatus/learning services). Again, you don’t realize it yet, but it makes a world of difference.<br>
Remember to take what I said about Tech being pbl vs. UGA not such with perhaps many a grain of salt. I am only making an assumption because the method seems to be more prevalent at schools with engineering. However, one could definitely claim Tech is more rigorous. I’ll stand by that one. But the question is: Is the rigor for the sake of rigor, or is it really beneficial/a result of teaching style. I think it’s the latter.</p>
<p>I am also considering whether to attend georgia tech or UGA (with honors) for biology, and only biology, no engineering. I was wondering which would be a better choice? What tier is each school for biology? How much better is honors at UGA than the “normal” UGA</p>
<p>If honors at UGA is anything like pretty much any other honors program, it’s not a full degree, so there’s no point in making it a dealbreaker.</p>
<p>Honestly, rank should not be all you look at and be careful that Techies are not being biased as they consider UGA to be rivals. Not trying to bash Tech nor am I trying to offend anyone, but what do YOU want? Tech is no doubt a great school, but alot of people fail. The thing with Tech is that your classmates are among the best of the best, which can be good or bad. For example, curves are brutal, so you might work you butt of for C. That happened to me friend, whose a smart and hardworking girl. The professor was terrible and although many ppl were borderline, he didn’t curve, so she was a point off from getting a B. She currently has 2.6, but guess what? That is considered GOOD for Tech! She lost Hope and some of her friends have been on probation. And no she is didn’t slack off and party and cram to complain later. She lived in the library only to get Cs and 1 B. Classes that are easy at other schools are hard at Tech and I am not trying to say that college should be an easy ride nor that you study, but honestly I know I don’t want to worry about studying my behind off for economics when I am a biology major; in my mind it would take time away from studying the subject that I want to major in. Also, Tech is the place where you don’t find yourself, but know who you already are when you get there. So, you won’t be having any weird classes that you can just take for the heck of it; plus, Tech can break you with weed-put classes where everyone thinks that they want to major there, but quickly realize that they don’t belong there. </p>
<p>Overall, Biology is a hard subject, even at GA State, so don’t let ranks fool you. I am an anthro major and have been searching schools to transfer to and realized that some Ivy League schools are beat by state schools in that field, so be careful. Check out the courses on the websites and compare. Don’t let name blind you. My advice is to go to UGA (which even if it is beat by Tech in the sciences,it is harder to be admitted too and can be a tough school depending on major; plus unlike Tech, the chance of you graduating in 5 yrs, is not high nor will you lose Hope unless you never show to classes) Go to UGA get partying off your system, take core classes and classes in other subjects to test whether you want to major in biology and if so later transfer to Tech. Don’t let a great scholarship go by b/c of rank nor the (biased in my opinion, but hey that’s just me) comments of others deter you and later come to regret it. </p>
<p>And if anyone is wondering I am not a UGA student nor a Tech one. I go to State b/c of some family and money issues. I graduated high school with loads of AP/IB credits and with honors, so I am not stupid nor a reject of those schools. Although State is not as great as UGA or Tech, I am no longer bitter b/c I took some great classes with some great professors that made me realize I don’t want to major in Political Science, but anthro and one day want to publish and work at the college level and not Washington. The reason I am transferring is b/c the department is not great, although not terrible, but I want a bigger challenge.</p>
<p>GT’s average GPA is 3.1 and it has a very very high graduation rate. Your “friend” with a very 2.6 is well below average.</p>
<p>UGA is a party school in Athens that specializes in liberal arts and agriculture. GT is a top national research institute in Atlanta that specializes in STEM. Nothing else needs to be said.</p>
<p>^^^which is exactly why I’m choosing GT IE over UGA Finance (Honors). But I guess the decision is easier when you plan to dive straight into the job market and not law/med school</p>