Graduate schools - Does your undergrad work NEED to be related to grad work?

[Scrapster]

Eventhough I have a few more years before thinking about grad school I've always wondered this.

For example, if I got a B.S. from the chemical engineering program, it would only be logical to continue in chemE during my grad years. But what if I wanted to try something different, like Robotics. Would admissions frown upon this? I guess there are extreme cases where it's probably not a wise decision (ie. general studies undergraduate going into the school of brain surgery). But what about:

Elect. Engin. to Math (or vis versa)
Chemistry - Robotics
Art - Political sci.
Communications - Biology
etc... You get my drift.

I know very little how grad schools work.
Can someone enlighten me?

 

[Dedpuhl]

Your graduate studies coincide with your undergraduate studies...

I am a civil engineering major. When I graduate, I cannot say I want to get my masters in nuclear physics.

However, there is one professor I know that has a B.A. in Chemistry and his masters in math...

[EDIT] Hmm... after reading some of the responses, I guess I could get my masters in nuclear physics if I wanted.

 

[Napalm381]

You CAN apply to a different area than what your undergraduate major is, but be prepared to have a difficult time getting in- you will most likely be judged rather harshly.

 

[MereMortal]

In general you can enter a grad program in an area different than your undergrad degree. You may spend your first year doing remedial work (such as taking undergrad courses) to get to the appropriate level.

I've known lots of people who flipped from one science to another or math. When I was an undergrad at Penn State, the head of the Astronomy department did her undergrad work in English. So it is possible.

 

[dennilfloss]

Not always a problem. I did my undergrad degree in Engineering but switched back to Pure Science for graduate research.

Everybody Knows (Prairie Oyster)

 

[Wah]

you could major in art and still go to med school, law school, grad programs for psych etc.... however, you have to fulfill the prereqs required by the program you are trying to enter. For example, and art major would have to take the required science classes in order to get into med school.

 

[Scrapster]

Wah,

My question wasn't intended for professional programs. I know medical school (and law school I think) don't really care what your major is.

 

[Scrapster]

Any other input?