Dual Major Undergraduate program vs. Extra year

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the decision between pursuing a dual major in Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering versus taking additional courses in Biochemistry. The participant has 24 credits remaining in their current BS.c program and is weighing the benefits of a dual major against a one-year focus in Biochemistry. Key insights indicate that graduate schools prioritize relevant coursework over dual majors, emphasizing that admissions committees will favor engineering qualifications for biomedical engineering programs rather than a dual major that lacks direct relevance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of undergraduate degree requirements in engineering and biochemistry
  • Familiarity with graduate school admissions criteria
  • Knowledge of course relevance in biomedical engineering
  • Awareness of the implications of dual majors in academic and professional contexts
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the specific admissions requirements for graduate programs in Biomedical Engineering
  • Investigate the importance of relevant coursework versus dual majors in engineering fields
  • Explore the curriculum of Biochemistry programs to identify beneficial courses
  • Consult academic advisors about the impact of dual majors on career prospects in engineering
USEFUL FOR

Undergraduate students considering dual majors, prospective graduate students in engineering or biochemistry, and academic advisors guiding students in course selection and career planning.

Jarfi
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Hello. So due to some life circumstances i was not able to finish all my coursework of my 3-year BS.c program last year.

Thus i have about 24 credits I will take next year. My plan was to finish those courses, and then along that take courses in another university, in biochem on the side. That would amount to about 1. year biochem.

My alternative is to buff up my current program and add on more courses, so that I will be able to finish two different engineering undergraduate programs, i.e a dual major. This would be mechatronics+biomedical eng.

Now biochem is very related to what i want to do, but i feel a couple of the courses won't very much help me. Such as "microbiology" and "evolutionary" bio. Biochem, physical chemistry, molecular biology are all very important to me though.

Do graduate schools like students that have finished a dual major Undergraduate degree? Or does it not really matter. Will grad schools look at my 1 year in biochem and think that i have lack of direction or will they see it as quality/good experience?
 
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I'm not an expert in biochemistry, but if you want to go to graduate school for biochemistry, I suspect most graduate schools will look for you to have a degree in biochemistry.

A dual major won't matter to an admissions committee if neither of the majors qualify you to study in their field.

If you want to go to graduate school for biomedical engineering, the admissions committee will be more interested in your engineering coursework.
 

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