Major in Genetics or Engineering, That is THE Question

Do what interests you more. Perhaps ask to shadow people in those fields for a day to get an idea of what you'd actually be doing. In the end, remember you'll be doing it for a very long time. Make it something you won't grow tired of.

How about Genetic Engineering?

How can you major in "engineering"? Is it not a specific type of engineering?

Gigi for me wrote:

How can you major in "engineering"? Is it not a specific type of engineering?

Maybe he wants to drive a train.

Engineering. Not even a question. Major in genetics or any life science, you'll need a PhD just to get in the game. That game is a cage match where you will battle other PhDs for measly scraps of money and to avoid the unemployment line.

Gigi for me wrote:

How can you major in "engineering"? Is it not a specific type of engineering?

You can. There are schools where you major in engineering and have concentrations in different areas of engineering.

Even in the more common case where you have different engineering departments, in most cases all engineering students do the first year or two in common and then declare what specific engineering department they want.

So yes, you can definitely head off to school to major in "engineering".

Post Hole Digger wrote:

Gigi for me wrote:

How can you major in "engineering"? Is it not a specific type of engineering?

You can. There are schools where you major in engineering and have concentrations in different areas of engineering.

Even in the more common case where you have different engineering departments, in most cases all engineering students do the first year or two in common and then declare what specific engineering department they want.

So yes, you can definitely head off to school to major in "engineering".

But that's not really majoring in "engineering" because like you just said a focus must be chosen. The OP should specify the focus he has in mind otherwise it's almost meaningless.

It's as if he said "science" instead of "genetics".

Gigi for me wrote:

But that's not really majoring in "engineering" because like you just said a focus must be chosen. The OP should specify the focus he has in mind otherwise it's almost meaningless.

It's as if he said "science" instead of "genetics".

Well, I'm an engineering professor and I would advise the OP to decide on engineering but wait to choose a specific discipline. Most schools have a common first-year engineering experience that is specifically designed to expose the student to the different areas within engineering so they can make a better informed choice. In the two schools I've taught at, students make that decision in the spring semester of freshman year when it's time to register for fall classes. In my undergrad school, the first two years were the same and you made that choice in spring of sophomore year. Quite a few students change after that first decision, but the farther you go the more difficult it is to change - it depends on how similar the two curricula are.

The OP did have one very specific choice, genetics rather than the general biology, and one general one, engineering. In reality, if he/she decides on genetics, they will really be general biology the first year or two and the genetics track will come into play the last two years.

Some schools require that freshmen engineering students choose a discipline from the start, but the trend is actually away from that and back toward the more traditional start in engineering and then choose specifics later. It turns out that most 17 year olds don't know enough about the details of engineering and their own interests to decide on specifics before they ever set foot in an engineering classroom.

Also, at some schools certain departments, often chemical engineering, opt out of the common first year and require students to start in their department right away. But chemical engineers don't play well with others and think they're better than everyone else anyway.

Once you get into the specific department/discipline, you then decide which specific area to specialize in. For example, in civil engineering, you can focus on structures, transportation, geotechnical, or environmental.

A lot of choices to make along the way, but to be an engineer, usually the only decision you need to make before you show up is to study engineering. You can work out the details later.

Some good info there...fixed one part though.

serious addvisor wrote:

Engineering. Not even a question. Major in genetics or any life science, you'll need a PhD just to get in the game. That game is a cage match where you will battle other PhDs for measly scraps of money and to avoid the unemployment line.

This. Unless you really love lab work and want to make a career out of it, it quickly becomes a pre-med major or prep for a biology teacher pedigree, both of which are fine but maybe not what you are looking to do?

You could considering moving on in bioinformatics/genomics though. Also, have you considered biotechnical/bioengineering?

serious addvisor wrote:

Engineering. Not even a question. Major in genetics or any life science, you'll need a PhD just to get in the game. That game is a cage match where you will battle other PhDs for measly scraps of money and to avoid the unemployment line.

^^^THIS^^^

I love genetics, it's an incredible field, and the way technology is improving and the need for genetic research (fight on antibiotic resistance, etc.) it is booming. However, as stated above you will need a PhD, if not even a post-doc, depending on if you want to do academic research or go to a drug company. A BS and MS will leave you at base lab rat status.

My big 2 cents that differs the 2- Monetary status. With engineering you have the opportunity for internships/co-ops between academic years. This boosts your resume but also brings in cash. First few summers you may find an internship that pays $10-15/hour, but I know a few friends who had internships after junior year that were earning $22-25/hour with the option of working up to 60 hours per week. Although I think they might have been consulting internships.. but they were engineers.

Engineering also opens more doors- it shows you have problem solving skills. Usually you will have a capstone project to show off. For your tech electives you can branch out.

Look at schools that have bioengineering, or if you like more the equipment side look at biomedical. It will be rigorous but perhaps double major in engineering and biology (genetics if offered as a specific major).

On the contrary, genetics you will not have as many opportunities to get big internships, will probably be allowed to work in the lab at your university but will most likely be volunteer work.

It's up to you wrote:

In the end, remember you'll be doing it for a very long time. Make it something you won't grow tired of.

I think, nowadays at least, this is the wrong way to look at it. Many people end up working in something completely different from their major. Choose something that will open doors in the future. I suspect that's engineering. As an undergrad you'll have chances to take biology courses as well, and if you do find you love genetics you can later get a masters/Ph.D.

Also, I would put more importance on choosing a top school over the particular major. Plenty of English lit and philosophy majors from the Ivy leagues end up crushing it on Wall Street.

Some good advice upthread also.

Post Hole Digger wrote:

You can. There are schools where you major in engineering and have concentrations in different areas of engineering.

Even in the more common case where you have different engineering departments, in most cases all engineering students do the first year or two in common and then declare what specific engineering department they want.

So yes, you can definitely head off to school to major in "engineering".

I've never heard of graduating with a degree in "Engineering", without some specialization. At least not an accredited degree.

You're spot on of course about first year being common across all engineering majors. Purdue doesn't even admit engineering students into a major. Everyone admitted into the school of engineering as a freshman comes in as a "First Year Engineering" major. In the second semester of freshman year you go through the Transition to Major process to enter a specific degree program. It's not always easy to transfer after sophomore year, as some degrees (like ChemE) have longer course sequences.

Just because you can start out in engineering without a graduate degree doesn't mean you can get far without going back to school.

Op, First set your sights on graduating from the basement before you tackle something momentous like declaring a major.

Do you have a HS teacher or academic counselor who can give you some guidance on this choice. Sooner or later you will want and need to choose an engineering discipline: Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, etc. There are usually 1+ classes in the sophomore year specific to a major. For smooth transition to a job, make sure the (Civil) degree program has ABET accreditation that makes the curriculum comparable with other schools (e.g., Civil Engineering at Stanford). There area schools (CalTech?) that have an "Engineeing" major and then you pick classes to make it "Civil Engineering". Ask about Co-ops and Internships that may extend your graduation, but will give you some practical experience when you have the degree. Ask about on campus recruiting for (Civil) Engineering. Ask the same questions about Genetics.

well........ wrote:

I've never heard of graduating with a degree in "Engineering", without some specialization. At least not an accredited degree.

ABET lists 55 schools with ABET accredited degrees in "Engineering" or "General Engineering". A lot of these are schools with only one Engineering department (e.g., Dartmouth, Baylor), which is what I was mainly referring to, but you can also get an "Engineering" or "General Engineering" degree from MIT, Illinois, or Penn State if you don't want to be constrained by department.

forrealsthough wrote:

[quote]Post Hole Digger wrote:But chemical engineers don't play well with others and are better than everyone else anyway.

I caught it. I did much of my grad work in Chem E, so I kid because I love.

I cant really speak for genetics but it does seem to be a major that would require you to pursue a PHD post undergraduate. as far as the job market goes engineering is something that is very very very good for but if you do have a true love for genetics please pursue that as you will be able to do better in school for that and will enjoy yourself so much more.

passion is everything when it comes to choosing a major.