Which Major? (Engineering or a Physical Science)

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>I'm just about to start my freshman year in college at the U of MN Twin Cities. I started out looking at Chemical Engineering as a major but I was very turned off by the industrial aspects of the career. I decided I'd much rather be in the labs working on something than in a plant. Then I turned to Biomedical Engineering - it was more researched based and didn't force you to work in a plant. However, I found that it is probably the most constricting of all engineering majors. The vast majority of jobs are in one industry - medical devices. I've also frequently heard that graduates in that field "learn a lot, but not enough". On top of that, there aren't a lot of jobs available in the field. I've realized that if I wanted to go into the medical device field, I could easily do it via another, less constricting major.</p>

<p>So now I've hit a wall, and I'm looking back at some of my high school science/math course work to try and sort things out and find my passions: </p>

<p>Math: I loved every bit of it, especially Calculus, although Statistics was a little dry.</p>

<p>Chemistry: For the most part I enjoyed this subject. I liked the problem solving parts of some organic chemistry: given with one molecule at the beginning and finding a way to end up with another, and the physics portions of it (molecular structure, forces, spectroscopy, etc.).</p>

<p>Biology: I absolutely hated anything other than molecular biology/biochemistry.</p>

<p>Physics: I really loved physics, especially E&M. I really loved actually being able to see physics happening before your eyes and using its principles to explain everything that occurs in nature.</p>

<p>I would like my career to require me to use complex mathematical principles daily. However, a Math major is not really an option for me. There are really two things one can do in mathematics: teaching or actuarial science. Neither of those interest me.</p>

<p>I also want to be involved in research. I know engineering has some branches in research, which is why I'm continuing to consider it. The thing is, I would hate to be involved in an engineering that is based on manufacturing a product. I want to work on the product/idea, not produce it.</p>

<p>As for a work place: a lab would be preferable. Otherwise, anything but a manufacturing plant.</p>

<p>So now I'm looking for some advice: What should I pursue?</p>

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<p>It sounds to me that graduate school (PhD maybe) in an engineering or natural science major is right for you. While the UG programs might be less math intensive, you WILL use complex math equations in any technical graduate program.</p>

<p>Engineering wise, try ChemE, EE or Material Science.</p>

<p>Natural science wise you can try Physics or Molecular Biology.</p>

<p>Another path to consider is an interdisciplinary natural science field: Computational Biology, Applied Mathematics, Biophysics or Biochemistry.</p>

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<p>I'd say in engineering your best bets would be Materials Science and ChemE. Both offer tons of opportunities for research in a lab, and, if you're interested, there's plenty of room for complex math to be done at higher levels.</p>

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<p>I've heard that Materials Science involves both physics and chemistry, which may be good for people with interests such as yours.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for your replies so far.</p>

<p>I've also recently come across the field of Biostatistics. It looks pretty interesting to me. Do any of you have any experience (direct or indirect) with the field?</p>

<p>Otherwise, it's narrowed down to: Physics, Chemical Engineering or Electrical Engineering</p>

<p>Speaking of Physics, what are some career opportunities outside of teaching? It doesn't really seem like there are many that are easily available.</p>

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<p>How are you with CS? In addition to what others have brought up, someone who is that into math might be interested in crypto.</p>

<p>I second the Materials Science & Engineering suggestion. I've known a few people who have doubled in physics and mat sci & eng, even.</p>

<p>Physicists can do research at national labs (e.g. Los Alamos), FFRDCs (e.g. MITRE), regular government contractors (e.g. Draper Lab), or as civilian employees of the DoD, in addition to academia. They also seem to be highly sought after on Wall Street, but that doesn't seem to be your interest either.</p>

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<p>Physicists are pretty versatile and can work in varying industries from National Labs to engineering firms. </p>

<p>I don't know much about Biostatistics but I think they can work at medical schools, public health institutions or firms that specialize in toxicology/exposure rate.</p>

<p>Altcm--do you have ideas about career goals? Do you want to work within academia/labs or in the industry? Also regardless of your major get some UG research experience!</p>

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<p>Well, I just sent an email to my advisor, changing my UG major to Physics with a Biological subplan with a Math minor. I'll go to grad school afterwards, continuing this most likely.</p>

<p>Thanks for your help</p>