TomHirschfeld

I am looking to do research chemistry for a career when I am older, probably get a phD in chem. First of all, is it possible to get a BS in chemE and then go on to get a PhD in a pure science like O chem or something. Also, how much humanities work is involved in an engineering degree compared to a degree from the standard college of arts and sciences (2 probably schools are Cornell and UIUC) because I hate the humanities and gen ed requirements. The main reason I would like to get a BS in chemE as opposed to some other degree in Pure Chemistry is that I think there is less humanities/distribution requirements in eng schools, is this true? Finally, where would I get a better chemE education from, Cornell or UIUC, or does it really matter.

aibarr

First, right off the bat, your assumption that humanities requirements are different for pure science majors vs. engineering majors is not necessarily true. Check that on a school-by-school basis… With a little digging, you should be able to find out what each school's requirements are online. At Rice, the (very loose) core requirements were the same for everyone at the university (whichever area you majored in, you automatically got core requirement credit for, but you'd have to fulfill requirements in the other areas).

Secondly, you should probably find out a little more about chemical engineering. It sounds like you sort of think that it's like chemistry, except that you take it within an engineering department… That's not really the case.

Thirdly, if you'd like to still get your degree in chemical engineering, there's no reason why you can't go on and pursue a doctorate in chemical engineering and do your research within that field. Why in particular would you like to do research in chemistry? What sort of things interest you?

TomHirschfeld

A) course requirments, I know that, that is why I was asking about Cornell and UIUC, does anyone think the humanities courses are a pain in those schools, for pure science or for chemE. But at alot of the schools that I have gone to, the CAS part of the uni has a 1/3 1/3 1/3 plan for majors, distribution requriements, and other things, Is that the same for chemE and are there different distribution reqs.

B) About chemistry, I like it because of the mix of mathematics and theory involved. I am def a math/science kind of person, but physics is just too dry for me, and there is not much math in biology. My concern is that chemE may be dry like physics is. It is not that I do not like physics, i just like chem better btw.

ElectricTech

Are you good as good at physics as you are at chem?

TomHirschfeld

yes, i destroy physics

jmilton90

Do chemistry if you like to do things small and on the lab scale. Do chemical engineering (seems like a hot major nowadays) if you want to pursue work in industry. Getting a PhD should not be something you should be your primary target as a high school student. Your perspective will change dramatically in the next 3 years. Decide then.