<p>This fall I'll be headed to Virginia Tech as a freshman. I go to orientation in 2 days, where I'll pick all of my classes. Ultimately, I want to be a biomedical engineer; someone who makes bionic prostheses, perhaps hands, internal body parts, or eyes. At Virginia Tech, biomedical engineering is offered to graduate students only, which is fine with me, I don't mind the thought of graduate school. The thing that puzzles me, however, is that you can have a bachelor's in any field of engineering to apply to this major (according to the VT website). Right now, I would like to do aerospace engineering, with a possible double major in ocean engineering (two very similar topics). So, is it ok to major in aerospace and then go to biomedical? Will they accept me? I feel like I should have at least an electrical/materials science engineering degree or a physiology/neuroscience minor, etc. Any advice on whether or not I should look into changing my major for a master's or PhD in biomedical engineering would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Well, you could certainly pull that off. I would think that for what you want to do that mechanical engineering would be a better route. Most major mechanical engineering departments these days actually do a fair bit of research in biomechanics, which would be incredibly useful for someone who wants to work with “robotic prostheses” or anything of that sort. Aerospace (the field I am in) is a great field, but I just think you would be better served elsewhere if you do stick to the goals you just stated.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice. The other problem I have is that I absolutely love aviation and spaceflight. Mechanical engineering has little interest to me, and I feel that I’d do poorly if I was just slugging my way through the classes. If they will truly accept aerospace majors, then I think I might do Aerospace Engineering B.S. —> Biomedical Engineering M.S./Ph.D</p>
<p>Well, for what its worth, there are more mechanical engineers at Boeing than aerospace engineers. I did mechanical engineering as an undergrad and am getting a PhD in aerospace now. The two majors are nearly the same. The main difference is that Aeros take more fluids and their courses are given specifically in examples applicable to aerospace. Mechanical engineers take more heat transfer and more mechanics/dynamics courses usually, and have a more general set of examples. The science is the same. I just don’t see how you could not be interested in mechanical engineering, but have the goal of making robotic prostheses. That is an area largely covered by mechanical engineering.</p>
<p>Nothing wrong with Aero but just think long term. Aero may not be the best thing nor ocean engineering or civil. Anything else would be better. </p>
<p>Since I am in BME you need some knowledge in Math (if you can fit linear algebra in you’ll be more compeptitive later), Chem (take some organic and biochem) physics, biology (cell bio), engineering principles (statics, material science,…). I would recommend you take a course in dynamics also. </p>
<p>The worst part about this major is that there is some much to cram into your head and you become a jack of all trade but a master of none. If you really want BME your gonna have to be prepared to be in school for a long time and go beyond undergrad.</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses. Well I guess the good thing about VT is that I have 2 years to specify which type of engineering I want. You’re just in “General Engineering” the first 2 years. I’ll keep mechanical in mind, but I guess I will probably be better off waiting until I get to Tech to figure this out, where I’m surrounded by other engineers and knowledgeable professors. My main question was answered though, so thank you guys for that.</p>
<p>KSM- Actually I believe, minus exceptions to the rules, VT students move out of general engineering after freshman. Though sophomore year everyone is still taking many of the same classes, you do begin to take intro classes for your specific major, though changing majors is no big deal.</p>