Material engineering ?

JKM_

hi,

i have decided that i want to do research into ;

quantum computer
(if quantum computer are invented by the time i graduate ) then nanocomputer/nanorobotics
more specifically their application in oncology and drug delivery
renewable sources of energy ( if possible )

open a start up which :
helps solve the energy crisis in developing countries
help reduce medical cost in treating cancer
( not sure which comes first )

now here is the deal how do i go on about gaining the qualification ?

this is what i have concluded
i need a strong electrical and computer engineering background
along with strong background in material engineering,
also i dont want to do a dual since ppl doing it don't be that good in either and i don't have that much finance ( i am leaning towards getting a job after graduation and then after a year or 2 get my masters )

the only possible way is to do a bachelor in one of them and then do a masters in the one remaining ( i.e electrical and computer engineering (bachelor),material engineering (MS) :or vice versa )

doing electrical and computer engineering as a base seems risky since skills obtained get outdated quickly

now here is the question

1) how good a foundation does material eng. provide in engineering in general

2) which is more difficult ? i am naturally good in math and physics, but need to work hard in chem to obtain the same level of proficiency
proportion of physics and chem in material science ? (eg 50 % chem, 10% physic (pure),10% electrical, 10% mechanical, 10% computer,10% bio , of course these are random values which i just thought of )

3) how much maths is required for materials engineering compared to electrical and computer engineering ? ( i am asking this because maths is my fav subject )

4)could someone please tell me which one to pursue as a bachelor ? i am really stuck

this is the majors i am looking at
Bachelors in applied science in electrical and computer engineering with nanotechnology and micro system option
Bachelors in applied science in Materials engineering
both in University of British Columbia ( only for undergrad, for f grad i will be looking at other uni )

5) if you think material engineering is better suitable as an undergrad then which Canadian uni provides the most in depth and broad knowledge in condensed matter research

(P.S i know a lot about career in electrical and computer engineering but very limited knowledge about material engineering so provide as much input for this major )

hachette

you can study physics since the material engineering, chemistry and mechanical all use the knowledge of physics. physic is the first major.

Jeffrey.P

Hi,
As your preference range is quite broad (from quantum computer to drug delivery), I think you can have Materials Science as your background, then you can choose your graduate major later, based on your specific interest after 4 years of undergrad.
Imagine, Materials science is a blend of Physics (include understanding of electrical, mechanical,..), Chem, some Bio and Math. So, your knowledge gained from materials science is broad but not deep: you (say, in general :) ) are not as good at physics as physics major students, not as good at chemistry as chem students :)), but you will have a integrated knowledge: better at physics than normal chem students, ...
regarding the proportion, it may depend on your chosen univ, but generally, I think: (for undergrad) 60% physics, 25% chem, 15% for bio and math. none of them is too difficult ^^ however, note that for your grad study and future, chemistry may be much more important, as you'll make things by chemistry.

AlexES16

I have the same interests as you bro. I decided for physics becouse it covers a lot.

MagnetDave

Broadly:

I would choose virtually any engineering major for my undergrad, or physics, or chemistry - really, anything technical. The point (in my mind) is to learn more about how to think, and how to address technical problems.

Then I would go to business school for a graduate program. If you really want to accomplish something, you have to have business skills, and you have to be able to make it rain. Then, once you have your startup going, you need enough technical competence to hire the real geniuses who will make it happen, and to know the difference between the real deal and someone that LOOKS smart.

Full disclosure: I'm a materials engineer, and I think it is probably the most useful major for what you want to pursue, but I think it's the most useful major for virtually anything.