<p>I'm a junior at Penn majoring in chemistry and economics.
I'm considering switching to an engineering major, and I was wondering what options I have at my disposal. So far, my engineering-related classes have included:</p>
<p>Chemistry: gen chem 1 and 2, ochem 1 and 2, pchem1,biochemistry 1 and 2
Biology: molecular biology 1 and 2, zoology
Physics: mechanics, E&M
Math: multivariable calculus, linear algebra</p>
<p>I'd like to receive two pieces of advice:
1) What engineering field would be most accessible for me?
Right now I'm thinking chemical engineering or bioengineering. i personally prefer chemical.</p>
<p>2) How can I get an engineering degree?
Are there any one-year master's or post-bac programs that I could apply for? Penn's Master's program naturally requires an undergraduate engineering degree.</p>
<p>I believe the best thing for you to do immediately is get to an adviser in the engineering college and see what you need to transfer and if you can. Usually, they like to see transfers by beginning of junior year. You have many of the required first two year and even some third year required courses for chemical engineering but then you are missing some courses that chemical engineering students would usually take in first two years and first semester junior year. You need an adviser to tell you if that will impact on ability to transfer including because it is likely you might have to add an additional semester to any four year schedule to finish.</p>
<p>Incorrect that you must have engineering undergrad degree to apply to an engineering graduate program. Engineering graduate programs generally, including at Penn, will consider admission of those with closely related undergraduate degrees such as in physics or chemistry. If admitted, such students have to take some “catch-up” courses in engineering as part of the graduate program. In such situation it is extremely unrealistic to assume you can complete the masters program in one year (and you should assume 2 may be needed). Moreover, most take more than one year to complete any engineering masters program particularly if they have to work (TA responsibilities, etc.) while doing it.</p>
<p>You can look for yourself what is required of a Chemical Engineer at Penn online. If you can convince them that your biology classes are technical electives and if you have already completed your humanities requirements, you still have 15 engineering classes to complete (which probably have prerequisites that prohibit you from taking them all within 3 semester even if your sanity allowed it). You might consider instead minoring in engineering (only six courses required). A combination chemistry major/chemical engineering minor should get you into many engineering graduate schools and reduce the amount of catch-up work required. I re-iterate what drusba said - ‘speak to an advisor’.</p>
<p>I think staying with the Econ and Chemistry as your undergrad sounds really good. I would go talk to an advisor in the engineering department and find out what you can do to get into a graduate engineering program upon graduation of your undergrad. I wouldn’t go and change to engineering right away, I could see you needing a few general engineering courses but with your current education you may be able to get into a MS program.</p>
<p>(Note: I am very happy to see a smart double major. Econ and Chem is very impressive and should make for an interesting and successful career path whatever you choose)</p>
<p>General (WASU will require additional course, which you might be able to get out of the way now or in the next two summers)
[Washington</a> State University College of Engineering and Architecture - Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies](<a href=“Sorry, this page is temporarily down.”>Sorry, this page is temporarily down.)</p>
<p>Penn State requires for Chemical/Biochemical Engineer MS with non-engineering undergrad;
“Full-time students whose undergraduate degrees are in a field other than chemical engineering are required to take at least the following undergraduate core chemical and biomolecular engineering courses during their first year:
CBE 231 Thermodynamics of Fluids
CBE 350 Fluid Mechanics
CBE 351 Heat and Mass Transport
CBE 371 Separation Processes
CBE 451 Chemical Reactor Design”</p>