<p>I am currently a Chemical Engineering major. I am thinking about going into the pharmaceutical industry in order to develop and produce medicine. In order to build my knowledge up for this industry I was thinking on getting my specialization in biochemical and possibly minor in BME (i'm not sure if i'll have room for a minor). Maybe one day I will get a pHD and actually do research for new drugs perhaps. </p>
<p>Any thoughts? Can this work?</p>
<p>Many of the biochemical engineers I know at UC Davis do work for pharmaceutical companies (specifically Genetech), so getting a degree in that area will definitely help. However, keep in mind that as a biochemical engineer you’re limiting yourself from other industry. I know from experience its tougher to find a job as a biochemical engineer then a chemical, and a chemical engineer can pretty much do what a biochemical engineers do. Since you’re considering graduate school right out of college then that shouldn’t be a problem.</p>
<p>So do you recommend not specialzing in biochemical engineering and instead possibly get my masters in doctorates in that once I have things figured out?</p>
<p>And what about getting a minor in BME? It’s already going to be hard enough fitting it into my plan to graduate in four years so is it really worth it?</p>
<p>I think it depends on how many classes the specilization is whether it’s a majority of your classes or just a few more. If it’s a few more I’d do it, but that’s me. If it’ll increase your stay at college I wouldn’t do it.</p>
<p>The thing about a minor in BME is that you only take maybe 1-2 classes that are relevant to pharmaceuticals.</p>
<p>If you’re not entirely sure of what you want to do yet, then go as a chemical engineer. The BME minor is a good idea if you have the time, but usually a bio/chemical engineer curriculum is so time consuming there’s not much time to devote to anything else without hurting your GPA.</p>