<p>I'm currently a rising senior double majoring in physics/biology and I want to pursue in BME or in MechE. I realized I was more of an engineer than a scientist.
My point of view of going to grad school is to develop an expertise in a specific field. So my concern is if I obtain a BS in physics and go for a MS in engineering then won't I have to take undergrad courses in engineering? Then that's just doing undergrad again with research experience right?
I understand taking courses isn't the most essential part but I believe that having in dept knowledge on the field is crucial to actually able to conduct research.
So I'm debating between engineering and applied physics for MS.
I've looked through the labs I was interested in but it's hard to conclude.</p>
<p>side question:
how many courses do grad students usually take in grad school?</p>
<p>You may have to take a few remedial courses for engineering but they will either be prerequisite courses that do not count for your M.S. or they will just fill in your elective courses. You will get the engineering courses that you are after since there are usually required courses for a M.S. </p>
<p>in order to decide what is best for you, look into specific programs. it might be that some applied physics programs are as interesting as engineering programs. You certainly can apply to both.</p>
<p>A nominal full load for a graduate student is 3 programs but 4 is possible if you don’t have other obligations.</p>
<p>Yes, the purpose of grad school is to specialize in a particular field, but an MS is also a way of changing the field you’re in. I got my BS in cell biology and, after some time off, am back in school getting an MS in mechanical engineering. Like xraymancs said, you may have to take some remedial coursework or prereqs for an MS program, but an MS program will also have its own required graduate level courses.</p>
<p>Also like xraymancs said, 3 courses per semester is standard/full-time.</p>