with sophomore year about to begin, it's time to pick a major. I'm probably the most undecided engineering student in the school right now, but lately I've been thinking computer engineering, for a few reasons: easier than EE (less analog/low level circuitry stuff); has more comp sci, so seems like I could also work in software engineering if I were so inclined; people always need computers; I've already taken 3 ECE (electrical and computer engineering, it's one department here) courses.
but people have been telling me it's worth it to do the extra work to major in biomedical engineering, and the job market will be much better with more growth. I'm interested enough in bme to study it, but it does seem like a lot more work over comp-e, namely a year of organic chemistry and biology.
at the same time, though, someone told me a bachelor's in bme isn't enough to do high-tech advanced work, you need a ph.d. or medical degree. though I have nothing to back it up, it sounds sensible - if I wanted to design an artificial heart, would 4 years studying bme really be enough? then again, I don't really know what bme graduates go on to do. but I also want to do more than design consumer electronics or program microprocessors in computer hardware - biotech work strikes me as far more satisfying since it improves people's health, but that's assuming I can work on important projects without extensive post-undergraduate education (med school's too much for me).
so I'm wondering, what do you think will give me more opportunities, both to get a great job and advance in the industry? I'm at this point comfortable with both in terms of interest in the material, though bme will be more work (at least this coming year). would you recommend a masters degree? I'd have the opportunity to do research, but what exactly are some things a comp-e major would research anyway? a masters in EE I can see, but comp-e seems more applications of EE to me. in any case, after a few years in engineering I would really like to go to business school and join the ranks of management.
anyway, I'll stop now. thanks in advance for any advice and answers, hopefully when I start school in a couple weeks the major question will finally be solved
but people have been telling me it's worth it to do the extra work to major in biomedical engineering, and the job market will be much better with more growth. I'm interested enough in bme to study it, but it does seem like a lot more work over comp-e, namely a year of organic chemistry and biology.
at the same time, though, someone told me a bachelor's in bme isn't enough to do high-tech advanced work, you need a ph.d. or medical degree. though I have nothing to back it up, it sounds sensible - if I wanted to design an artificial heart, would 4 years studying bme really be enough? then again, I don't really know what bme graduates go on to do. but I also want to do more than design consumer electronics or program microprocessors in computer hardware - biotech work strikes me as far more satisfying since it improves people's health, but that's assuming I can work on important projects without extensive post-undergraduate education (med school's too much for me).
so I'm wondering, what do you think will give me more opportunities, both to get a great job and advance in the industry? I'm at this point comfortable with both in terms of interest in the material, though bme will be more work (at least this coming year). would you recommend a masters degree? I'd have the opportunity to do research, but what exactly are some things a comp-e major would research anyway? a masters in EE I can see, but comp-e seems more applications of EE to me. in any case, after a few years in engineering I would really like to go to business school and join the ranks of management.
anyway, I'll stop now. thanks in advance for any advice and answers, hopefully when I start school in a couple weeks the major question will finally be solved
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