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Engineering or Life Sciences?

 
Old 05-24-2011 at 12:09 AM   #1
cyndaquil
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Engineering or Life Sciences?
Which "degree" (if you will) has more promising job prospects after graduation? I've been told that an engineering degree is more marketable, but the life sciences program really draws to my interests. My parents seem to think that there are no reputable jobs (they don't like research)that accompany a sciences degree. I understand why engineering students wouldn't be allowed to take courses like KIN and BIO in first year, but that is realy where my interests are. Any insight or opinions between the two programs?
NOTE: I've been accepted to both and was given "Free Choice" for engineering. Thanks in advance.
Old 05-24-2011 at 12:21 AM   #2
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I find both to be really good degrees! I'm a life science student right now, and I like the program a lot. I'll admit first year is a little bit boring and very general, but there are a lot of specializations so it really depends on what you want! Both programs are obviously going to take a lot of work, so be prepared either way. If your interests really are within bio and anatomy though, I would do life science. But that's just my opinion.

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Old 05-24-2011 at 12:22 AM   #3
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Have you considered looking into Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering as a sort of compromise?
Here is the course summary for 2nd year on: http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /CALEN...12/pg1206.html

Otherwise I wouldn't recommend choosing a program that your interests don't lie in.

Last edited by InvisoBill : 05-24-2011 at 12:25 AM.

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Old 05-24-2011 at 12:22 AM   #4
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Definitely Engineering, I regret not accepting my offer.

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Old 05-24-2011 at 12:29 AM   #5
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I'm not even in university and I can easily tell you that it depends on what you like.

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Old 05-24-2011 at 02:40 AM   #6
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choose which u like better. just taht life sci ends u up in a medical/drug field/biological and eng can be whatever engineering covers (its huge). but yea there is a chem bio and biochem eng programs too

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Old 05-24-2011 at 05:48 AM   #7
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Engineering does not exclude the contents found in life sciences, nor does it stop you from taking electives that are more relevant to your interests.

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Old 05-24-2011 at 05:53 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RyanC View Post
Engineering does not exclude the contents found in life sciences, nor does it stop you from taking electives that are more relevant to your interests.
And if you do Engineering and Society, you can use your focus electives to get a minor in a more 'life science' related field. I know people who are doing minors in biochem, psychology, environmental science, math and a whole bunch of other things that aren't necessarily related to engineering!

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Old 05-24-2011 at 06:14 AM   #9
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Engineering definitely has better job prospects after university, especially if you're not planning to do much more school after your undergrad.
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Old 05-24-2011 at 06:57 AM   #10
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First of all for engineering, are you comfortable with physics and mathematics. you shouldnt let your parents chose for you. Anyways I really like engineering and happy I chose it. However, I did have a draw to life sciences and still do. Hence why I chose biomedical (and electrical) engineering. You can also do chemical and biological engineering. If you take an extra year you can take a minor in things. Its easy to take life science electives between summer (like chem 1aa3 and bio 1a03) and during the year.
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Old 05-24-2011 at 07:47 AM   #11
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Personally I would recommend whatever you are most interested in. Performance at university I find is most definitely correlated to how much you like the material. You can fall flat on your face in a "bird course" if you're not interested and have no motivation to study.
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Old 05-24-2011 at 12:24 PM   #12
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Also ask your self whether you want to go into a professional/grad school that requires high grades. As you can guess, it is difficult (not impossible) to get high grades in engineering, which might throw you out of the running for things such as medical school/dentistry/pharmacy etc. I know a few engineers that are really smart, but their grades don't compare to science/health science students.

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Old 05-24-2011 at 01:03 PM   #13
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i would think engeneering has a lot more prospect than life sci... and i guess what your parents are saying is right....but at the same time if you dont take the things youll like you wont end up being happy with your life....

i think the best thing for you would be that comprimise b/w science and engineering

so the bioeng or chem eng programs here at mac.... i think those would provide as many(if not more) job oppertunities as eng alone and they would also incorporate the things you like in science
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Old 05-24-2011 at 02:00 PM   #14
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Speaking from a person who is has just graduated with a life science degree, I recommend going into Engineering.
If you don't want med school/research (grad school)....engineerin g
If you want to start working right after you graduate....engineeri ng
With a plain Life Sci degree you can't do much interesting specific jobs after you graduate
I recommend what a person said earlier...do something like biomedical or biological engineering
Comparing my workload in Life Sci with the engineering workload...I would say you have your work cut out for you
Good luck with whatever path you choose

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Old 05-24-2011 at 03:56 PM   #15
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Engineering may have more job prospects, but that's assuming you will graduate with reputable marks.

Engineering is definitely one of the hardest faculties in the university, and if you are not interested in it, you will not have the motivation to succeed.

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