Current freshman with some questions

[ChemiE]

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I'm currently studying chemical engineering and am doing well in the introductory classes. I love chemistry, calculus, and physics and am considering taking the few biology and stats classes required for pre-pharm.

My university has a partnership with a pharmacy school, and through this one can earn a BS in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering along with a MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 5 years. I am tempted to apply to this, as if I do go into pharmacy I certainly don't want to be stuck at a Walgreens.

I question though if this will put me at a disadvantage. If I decide I don't like pharmacy, then I'll have a MS degree which limits my chemE career path. If I decide I do like pharmacy, then I'll likely also be at a disadvantage with only a MS. I'm also wondering if this makes financial sense. It's not funded, and I'm not sure if most pharm MS degrees are funded by employers. I think I feel that I might as well get the PharmD with just one more year of work..

Also, just a general question-- I have been known to faint when shown injuries such as a severely broken leg. I know that being a doctor is out of the question, but pharmacy should still be okay? What "hands on," with patient stuff is presented in Pharm school?


Regards.


Edit: Also, is there a reason that I should even stick with engineering if I decide to go the pharmacy route? (I don't take any major-specific classes until fall 2011). I would apply to pharmacy schools asap. I will finish my pre-reqs at the end of sophomore year (thanks to not taking any bio classes as a freshman). Or should I get a BS in ChE then go to pharm school? Gahh I'm so very confused. I think in addition to asking you all I will talk to my adviser once I get back to school.

 

[ChemiE]

Sorry to bump, but instead of making a new thread I'll throw in a few more questions..

1. Does working at a pharmacy as a cashier count as "experience?" I'm looking for a summer job and am debating between that and a 4H counselor.

2. Is it not advisable to take pre-reqs at a community college? I will take most at my university, but if I choose to take classes over the summer I would rather take them at a CC than online. (Or how bad is Bio online?)

3. Seriously. I'm confused. I have pretty much decided I want to go to pharm school, but I feel that I should have decided that BEFORE I choose to start my engineering degree. So far I have taken Calc I, Chem 101, 101L, Physics I for engineers and have a 3.94 GPA. I will be taking the second level of all of those courses next semester, but switching to a biochem major might look like a better option. Then I pretty much have no backup plan though.

4. I'm in the honor's program at my univ. and we have to take 3 hours a semester of an honors class. This class next semester is boring, hard, and doesn't count for a pre-req. Should I drop it and take something online?

 

[UNMorBUST]

Sorry to bump, but instead of making a new thread I'll throw in a few more questions..

1. Does working at a pharmacy as a cashier count as "experience?" I'm looking for a summer job and am debating between that and a 4H counselor.

If it is the only opportunity to gain access to pharmacy, then yes it will help. Perhaps this could be a stepping stone to a tech job.😀

2. Is it not advisable to take pre-reqs at a community college? I will take most at my university, but if I choose to take classes over the summer I would rather take them at a CC than online. (Or how bad is Bio online?)

How schools view CC credits is totally dependant on the school. Contact the schools you wish to apply to and ask them. Just as a note taking pre-req classes online can also be an issue. One that you should contact the schools for as well.

3. Seriously. I'm confused. I have pretty much decided I want to go to pharm school, but I feel that I should have decided that BEFORE I choose to start my engineering degree. So far I have taken Calc I, Chem 101, 101L, Physics I for engineers and have a 3.94 GPA. I will be taking the second level of all of those courses next semester, but switching to a biochem major might look like a better option. Then I pretty much have no backup plan though.

Whats your question? Is it a smart idea to switch to biochem? That is only something you can answer. Schools don't really care what major you had as long as you successfully completed the pre-reqs. Just one thing to think about is that an engineering majors are pretty intense and it would be hard to complete all pre-reqs and your core courses in 4 years.

4. I'm in the honor's program at my univ. and we have to take 3 hours a semester of an honors class. This class next semester is boring, hard, and doesn't count for a pre-req. Should I drop it and take something online?

Will you be dropped from the program? Do you want to graduate with honors? These are questions you have to answer. Honors is something nice to write on an app or CV.

 

[UNMorBUST]

My university has a partnership with a pharmacy school, and through this one can earn a BS in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering along with a MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 5 years. I am tempted to apply to this, as if I do go into pharmacy I certainly don't want to be stuck at a Walgreens.

I question though if this will put me at a disadvantage. If I decide I don't like pharmacy, then I'll have a MS degree which limits my chemE career path. If I decide I do like pharmacy, then I'll likely also be at a disadvantage with only a MS. I'm also wondering if this makes financial sense. It's not funded, and I'm not sure if most pharm MS degrees are funded by employers. I think I feel that I might as well get the PharmD with just one more year of work..

I'm not sure if you are aware but a MS in Pharm Sci is completely different from a PharmD. Pharm Sci is an academic/research degree while a PharmD is a professional degree. You can only become a pharmacist by completing a PharmD program.

 

[megandupe]

Alt career thought: Biomedical engineering.

This field is BOOMING right now, and you still make a lot of money (about $77,000 a year).

A lot of ppl go in to pharmacy b/c they want to make $50/hr at Walgreens, yikes! wrong reason to pick a career. There are many research opportunities in pharmacy that require only an MS or a PhD. If you want to be a pharmacist, sure, try for a pharmD, based on the info you have provided though I think engineering is a good field for you b/c you wont find alot of physics and calc as a pharmacist.

Side note: if you do consider doing your pharm prereqs, do not take them online (including hybrid courses) or abroad during a study abroad semester, stay domestic!

 

[ChemiE]

Ah, so much to ponder...

I read so much about engineering being a more interesting job because of everything that you CAN do with it, but I seem to sense that after a few years people get fed up with the corporate mayhem and either have to go to management to work their way up or become slightly less valuable as a practicing engineer.

I want a job that I can do until I want to retire. Honestly, even though I love physics and math, I believe I would be happy pursuing those interests in my own time. From what I can gather, engineers don't exactly use the math they learned in college (past the basics of calculus). Another thing that attracts me to pharmacy is the personal interaction. Engineers just need to communicate with other engineers.

I don't know if I want research vs. retail...I guess I will shadow a few individuals over the next year to see. I would love to be a chemistry or physics (Astro) researcher, but that's just not a viable career path.


I was contemplating not staying in the honors program if I try to get in pharm school before I graduate.

Thanks for the info and warnings about online/CC classes. I'll look into them, but I believe that online classes through my university carry the same weight as the standard class.