Postgrad.
May 14, 2009 12:14 AM Subscribe
I have a bachelor's degree in Biology. Is there any way to get a degree in Materials Engineering (or any Engineering, for that matter) without doing undergraduate again?
Whether you can skip requirements depends on the program you're looking at, but you probably have a fair amount of mathematics ahead of you. Most bio programs don't require much more than a year of calculus.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:21 AM on May 14, 2009
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:21 AM on May 14, 2009
Unfortunately looks like I'm in a similar situation as you. That is to say, likely needing to take more classes to get into a grad program of my choosing. I've been looking at some online classes (nearby university doesn't have the classes I want) but if you live near a good university you should consider taking some classes. Depending on which university is nearby you might even be able to work full-time and take evening courses.
posted by EvilKenji at 1:39 AM on May 14, 2009
posted by EvilKenji at 1:39 AM on May 14, 2009
As others have said, you'll have to take some classes to make up the prereqs you don't have. That is not nearly as bad as getting a second Bachelor's.
You could contact programs you're interested in, though. Some might allow you to make up your prereqs in your first year as a grad student, which means, most importantly, you might get paid a stipend to do it, rather than paying for the classes yourself and trying to do it while you have a job. That is a highly variable aspect, and I wouldn't be surprised if "better" programs wouldn't have that as an option.
posted by hydropsyche at 3:22 AM on May 14, 2009
You could contact programs you're interested in, though. Some might allow you to make up your prereqs in your first year as a grad student, which means, most importantly, you might get paid a stipend to do it, rather than paying for the classes yourself and trying to do it while you have a job. That is a highly variable aspect, and I wouldn't be surprised if "better" programs wouldn't have that as an option.
posted by hydropsyche at 3:22 AM on May 14, 2009
Ha, I came to suggest bioengineering as an option. I'm in this program, and there is one woman who did biology as her undergraduate degree and then straight to grad school. However, if you really want to do engineering and not applied biology, take some advanced math and programming classes before you apply or attend (make sure you at least know ordinary differential equations, linear algebra, and basic MATLAB or similar; physics would also be helpful). These are the subjects that she and I have been struggling with the most.
Additionally, I wanted to mention that many departments work together closely. So even if you apply to the bioengineering program, you may be able to work in a materials science lab (though on a bio-related problem). Make sure to ask about that option at the schools you are considering.
posted by dormouse at 5:22 AM on May 14, 2009
Additionally, I wanted to mention that many departments work together closely. So even if you apply to the bioengineering program, you may be able to work in a materials science lab (though on a bio-related problem). Make sure to ask about that option at the schools you are considering.
posted by dormouse at 5:22 AM on May 14, 2009
I got an M.Eng. (a 1-year degree) in materials science and engineering to prepare me for a PhD program in the same field. My undergraduate training was in mechanical engineering.
posted by Mapes at 6:03 AM on May 14, 2009
posted by Mapes at 6:03 AM on May 14, 2009
My spouse did exactly this, although he had taken several undergraduate engineering courses in materials and structures on top of his Biology degree. On top of that, his undergraduate college had shared core courses for biology and engineering, so the required math and physics requirements were not a problem.
He had to make up several prerequesite undergraduate courses during his first year.
Basically, it's going to depend on your undergraduate curriculum and the master's program you attend. If this is really something you want to do, consider less competitive schools like lower-tier state universities.
posted by muddgirl at 8:03 AM on May 14, 2009
He had to make up several prerequesite undergraduate courses during his first year.
Basically, it's going to depend on your undergraduate curriculum and the master's program you attend. If this is really something you want to do, consider less competitive schools like lower-tier state universities.
posted by muddgirl at 8:03 AM on May 14, 2009
My boss is currently a PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering. His undergrad is in computer science. At my university, he had to take a bunch of the chemistry and intro to materials courses, but certainly not even close to getting another BS.
posted by derogatorysphinx at 8:31 AM on May 14, 2009
posted by derogatorysphinx at 8:31 AM on May 14, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by halogen at 1:06 AM on May 14, 2009