ME or BME masters
ME or BME masters
(OP)
I have spent some time reading various threads on the boards here, but this is my first post. I have my undergrad in Biomechanical Eng. I went straight to work, and have been at a pharmaceutical company a little over two years. It's heavy on chemical engineering, which is not my favorite cup of tea.
On one end my undergrad covered a broad range of topics. On the other hand, part of me feels like I didn't get into enough detail in any one area to be useful. My dream job is working for a medical device company. I started going for a MS in Biomedical, but I'm doubting whether that is the best option for me. Should I pursue a MS in Biomed. or go for a MS in Mechanical? The Biomed. degree involves research and a thesis, the Mechanical degree has a course-only option. Because I'm in industry, my thinking was a research-based degree isn't necessary. Any insight is appreciated!
On one end my undergrad covered a broad range of topics. On the other hand, part of me feels like I didn't get into enough detail in any one area to be useful. My dream job is working for a medical device company. I started going for a MS in Biomedical, but I'm doubting whether that is the best option for me. Should I pursue a MS in Biomed. or go for a MS in Mechanical? The Biomed. degree involves research and a thesis, the Mechanical degree has a course-only option. Because I'm in industry, my thinking was a research-based degree isn't necessary. Any insight is appreciated!





RE: ME or BME masters
RE: ME or BME masters
RE: ME or BME masters
-- MechEng2005
RE: ME or BME masters
Another option besides cold calling is to find a professional society where you can meet other engineers who do the things you WANT to do (not what you are doing).
As for the practicality of a masters with thesis - us in industry don't really find it useful. I've done several interviews in the last 3-4 years and it has never come up what a person did their research in during grad school. We often talk about master's projects and coursework, but never research.
RE: ME or BME masters
I'm considering an online MS degree in structural/geotechnical engineering. The school I am considering may not be the most recognizable namewise, but the courses offered and course descriptions appeal to me the most. I am really interested in the classes and they are the type of work I want to pursue. A lot of MS degrees have some obscure courses that are offered, while this one is very practical with modern geotech/struct engineering methods.
What are your thoughts on online schools, and also schools that may not have a big name attached to the degree, but would offer me excellent classes and courses I could really apply to a job?
RE: ME or BME masters
Your question cannot easily be answered without knowledge of the actual specialties offered in the universities. I think your interest in medical devices is more closely aligned with mechanical and electrical engineering than with pharmaceuticals, but you will have to do some research to find a program that suits.
RE: ME or BME masters
I'm not a fan of the entire graduate course work in online classes. I would not value that as much as a local university that offered some courses that you don't need. The reason is that not only is the local university a known product, I probably have familiarity with the type of students who graduate. Its better to do mediocre at a great university than great at a mediocre university. GPA's don't matter unless it jumps off the resume as terrible. I don't value a 4.0 over a 3.0. I want to talk to a person to know if they get it or not.
RE: ME or BME masters
Would others agree?
I am currently attending the University of Akron (Akron, OH) but although it's a stretch, I am considering trying to get in to Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH).
RE: ME or BME masters