How is BioChem at SLO?

<p>For all the other schools I am applying to I am applying for BioChem but not sure how the program is at SLO and may just do BioMedical or Computer Engineering instead. Thoughts or experiences? I plan on doing Pre Med but if I got into Engineering at Cal Poly I feel it would be a good alternative if I don’t continue in Medicine.</p>

<p>Bump…also thinking of physics as well. I’m going to change what I applied for this week.</p>

<p>i applied for biochemistry. I know the chemistry and biochemistry department gets to know undergrads really well because they don’t have ANY grad students in the department of chem and biochem. I also know that the teachers and the program for biochem is a decently rigorous major at cal poly and as far as medical school is a pretty solid education (although i don’t know many details)</p>

<p>Our son is doing Biological Sciences, and is pursuing pre-med option. This is his 1st year. While his Engineering friends have same work load, they only need C to remain in the program and graduate. However, he can do the same, but, for med school C just doesn’t cut in. So for the same course load, he has to stay in the A grade range. According to him, he says it’s tough. Course load is difficult than high school coupled with staying on top to maintain the grades becomes really challenging.</p>

<p>Having said that, it should not be considered as bad. He is aware that once he puts in solid effort into it now, the end result will be much more fruitful. Not to mention all the loans he’d have to pay.</p>

<p>Engineering is good as well, you need much better grades than C if you want to do post grad i.e. master/PhD. Having PhD in Eng will be fruitful as well, although with less expense I suppose.</p>

<p>Lastly, you would have to have a mindset to do a certain program. I am an Engineer and he calls me nerd although I disagree with that, and I know his mindset is not into applied sciences, so that was out for him.</p>

<p>Thanks for the info… I am definitely going to change out of EE. I know it isn’t really what I want to do and it was more of an impulse choice. At this point BioChem and Physics are at the top of the list. I have to make a decision quick though and let the admissions office know.</p>

<p>Since we are going to get a brand new science center/lab at Cal Poly (Spring 2013), I am sure all of the life sciences and basic sciences are going to benefit a great deal from having modern facilities (our previous science building was CRAP!!!).</p>

<p>If you choose biochem, you will have a much more personalized education and attention given the department is relatively small compare to any of the engineering majors.</p>

<p>If you choose EE, it will be one of the largest major and it also benefits from having ample resources and a large faculty. But it is also one of the hardest major to get into and to get good grades while you are here. Be aware of this if you are planning to go to med-school.</p>