<p>My goal is to be a part of the construction of the technological future. There are many fields and subfields, but I don't want to be limited. Which study/studies will help me contributre to the following growing technologies all at once? </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Cure of diseases that are currently called "incurable". </p></li>
<li><p>Beginnings of SERIOUS alterations in genes (cosmetic biological engineering that will cause some controversy: includes DNA alterations that make someone/unborn child/plants/animals look however you want them to look).</p></li>
<li><p>Construction of lightweight, yet exceptionally strong materials.</p></li>
<li><p>Athletic improvement without use of currently identifiable steroids.</p></li>
<li><p>Animal and human cloning. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>These are all advancing currently, but in different fields/subfiels. Is there a way I can incorporate the practices of biotechnology, genetic engineering, genetics, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, biological engineering, nanotechnology, nanoengineering, nanobiotics/nanobiology and nanorobotics, in one (or 2-3) fields? I'm sure some of those listed studies overlap eachother, or perhaps some of them aren't really separate at all. These are just examples of things I want to be knowledgeable in, or have SOME kind of background in (I'm not trying to be an expert/specialist in ALL of these things, just want to have some kind of skill in them).</p>
<p>With that being said, what would I major in, and specialize in at the graduate level? Would I have to claim multiple majors? If so, what?</p>
<p>THANKS!</p>
<p>Quite an ambitious list, as you realize. Note: This is NOT my specialty.</p>
<p>You’re not going to branch into the really exciting research until your graduate program. All you can get in four years is a Bachelor’s degree and some basic research experience. Also, many of the classes for your Bachelor’s are prescribed, such as general education like English, History, etc. I’d recommend a major of biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or genetics, depending of the offerings of the school (not sure if genetics would be an undergrad degree or not, but the others certainly are). Those would get you a) a good grounding of work for your grad studies, and b) a little more knowledge of where you would like to specialize. </p>
<p>I <strong>doubt</strong> if multiple majors would help get into the grad programs of interest to you, but I’m not sure. </p>
<p>Since you don’t have time to make a major contribution to all of those fields in your allotted 50 - 100 years, I’d also recommend lots and lots of reading of the journals in the various fields, so you can see which of those areas (or others as yet unknown to you) you want to concentrate in. Also, there are likely to be monthly or weekly meetings in your college in the departments of interest that cover recent research and news - go to those for more information as well.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Yaaaay! A response, lol! Thank you GeekMom63, very helpful! I can’t wait to get to graduate level!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Any major, then go on the research MD/PhD program.</p></li>
<li><p>Materials science and engineering.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>2/4/5. Various possible majors, but in any case, be sure to give thought on the ethical and social implications.</p>
<p>Ditto with ucbalumnus.</p>