Hi,
I was wondering if anyone had any insight on the quality of SDSU for the STEM areas, especially engineering. I applied to mechanical engineering (bioengineering) and I’d like to know if that would be a solid option along with the future job prospects that I’d have. Any additional information is welcomed.
I would post this in the SDSU thread: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/san-diego-state-university/
My younger son is a CS major at SDSU and is very happy with their program. I cannot speak on specifics, but his roommates (1 aerospace/civil engineer double major and 1 ME) also give high praise to the program. If you would like more in depth information, you can request a tour of their Engineering department.
http://www.engineering.sdsu.edu/engineering/contact_us_directions.aspx
My husband’s firm hires from SDSU for Mechanical Engineering. Bioengineering is a little more difficult for placement.
@Gumbymom for some reason I didn’t see the specific SDSU thread while posting. I am from San Diego and for some reason I feel like many people don’t really like the school’s reputation, I am also conscious that it’s a huge misconception. I am glad your son is happy! I eill definitely look more into the program so I can make a well informed decision in a couple of months. Thank you!
As long as the Engineering programs are ABET accredited, these programs will be of excellent quality.
http://main.abet.org/aps/AccreditedProgramsDetails.aspx?OrganizationID=95
@“aunt bea” would I be in disadvantage if its still ME but emphasized BME. I am not sure if it’d be the right path for me because I’d like to be in the biotech area and use my skills there, and I haven’t really researched enough about the opportunities that I’d have with a ME major.
@Gumbymom that’s great, thanks!
@weturnred, you need to investigate the BME opportunities in the industry. Look at want ads, talk to BME’s on linked in and ask any current professors about job prospects. Most of the BME’s, that I know of were in another field of engineering.
My daughter took a couple of BME courses at her university several years ago. She didn’t go into it because her professors told the classes that BME was a “future” degree. “The work will be there one day, but it’s not as available now. as expected.” She graduated in 2013 and she has had more job opportunities as a EE/CS engineer. I think she mentioned that funding sources aren’t as readily available.
My middle daughter graduated in 2016, with several friends, who were BME grads from her UC.
They took jobs in San Diego, Orange, and LA but the jobs weren’t really in the field of BME; one has a job with medical vials for prescription needs. One works as a bio type in a lab. The one in LA does something with projections and estimates.
Again, that’s what they were hired to do.
@WeTurnRed: I cannot speak about the BME program or the job/internship opportunities at SDU, but my young son has found the SDSU Alumni Network strong and especially through his Fraternity. He is currently applying for Internships this summer has gotten many leads from former SDSU/Frat Alumni.
In regards to BME, my best friend’s daughter was a BME graduate last year from UCSD. She was able to procure 2 internships related to her major through her hard work/research and perseverance. She was told by UCSD career center, that they could not offer her any help other resume writing. She was also told that to work as a BME, she would need graduate school.
She accepted a job offer April last year prior to graduation with her BS, with a medical device company in San Diego and works along side many ME engineers in the company. She happens to be the only BME in her division and maybe she is the exception.
@“aunt bea” that is very interesting to know, I’ve had read before about the lack of opportunities that there were in the field, and if my interests are strong enough in a couple of years grad school is definitely something that I would consider. I guess things will clear up as my college career advances, the main reason I selected mechanical engineering is because I wanted to create prosthetics and sort of focus on that area, but maybe along the way something else will come up.
@Gumbymom so then my career choices wouldn’t be excluded from the medical/biotechnology area? I guess that is my main concern. As I previously stated the main reason to why I applied as a mechanical engineer was to work and develop prosthetics, but I’d also be interested in artificial tissue or any procedure that improves the quality of medicine. I am aware that in San Diego there are a lot of opportunities in biotechnology, and it’s also a reason to why I would consider staying in the city.
No, I do not think you will be limited by selecting ME as your major.
If you use this link, you can see the My Map Plan for the ME-Bioengineering Curriculum for SDSU to give you an idea of the courses involved.
@Gumbymom I will be attending a couple of engineering workshops next week, I’m hoping that will also give me a better sense of what is going on. Thank you for the information!