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Preparation for Professional Schools

Chemical engineering graduates are looked upon very favorably by professional schools such as medical, law, and business. However, some planning is required to insure that you have taken the courses required by admissions committees for those programs.

The requirements of professional schools vary considerably. Hence,  a student considering applying to a specific school should obtain information regarding the program and admissions requirements directly from that school.

Several of the area specialization options allow students to fulfill most or all of the special course requirements for admission to professional schools.  For more information, students should consult an advisor who is familiar with the admission requirements of the professional program in which they are interested.

Medical School

The chemical engineer's background in mathematics and natural science -- combined with a knowledge of such subjects as applied mechanics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, diffusion, and electricity and magnetism -- enhance the mastery of many aspects of medical science. 

There are many premedical publications and Internet Web sites that do an excellent job of covering the basic questions frequently asked by premedical students.   One the best sources that address the unique concerns of a chemical engineering student considering medical school is the premedical guide created by Oklahoma State University.which provides an overview of the medical school application process. While a chemical engineering background does enhance the mastery of many aspects of medical science, this guide points out a common misconception about the influence of a chemical engineering degree in getting admitted to medical school.

It is important to "dispel the myth that engineering premeds have an advantage that displaces a high GPA and high MCAT score." In recent years admission to medical school has become very competitive. Consequently, medical school applicants have a low probability of acceptance without a reputable GPA, even if they opted for a more difficult undergraduate major. Do not expect admissions committees to utilize another academic standard because of the relative difficulty of Chemical Engineering curricula. In fact, most schools clearly state the indifference in undergraduate majors as a selection factor.

Typical Required Course Requirements

A properly constructed program in chemical engineering provides excellent preparation for entering medical school.  General requirements (in addition to the normal Chemical Engineering requirements)

• CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2). Some schools may require the traditional CHM 2210-2211, most accept CHM 3217-3218.
• BCH 4024 or CHM 4207 Biochemistry (4)
• BSC 2010-2011 and BSC 2010L-2011L Principles of Biology. Some schools may also require a 3000 level biology course.
• English: Some medical schools require three courses in English with emphasis on composition. Additional composition courses are recommended to strengthen communication skills and help prepare for admission tests.

Students with pre-medical interests can satisfy admission requirements with the chemical engineering program and the judicious selection of electives through the Biomedical area of specialization option. Note that you may need to begin taking these courses earlier in your program than where the Technical Electives are indicated on the suggested curriculum plan.

A competitive grade point average, a suitable score on the Medical College Admission Test, and letters of recommendation are typical requirements for admission to most medical schools. Since the number of places in first year medical classes are limited, candidates should make application as early as possible during the summer or fall of the year preceding their intended date of entry.  Arrangements for providing the necessary data must usually be completed during the summer preceding the student's senior year.  Preliminary planning should be initiated early in the sophomore year.

All students considering medical school should review the online Health Professions Handbook. Students who intend to apply for admission to a medical school should contact the Health Professions Office in the Academic Advising Center for information about admission requirements and application and test deadlines.  For more information on available workshops or to meet with a  pre-health professions advisor, contact the University of Florida Academic Advising Center. Additional information about combining engineering and medical school requirements is available.

Dental School

Much of the information above about medical schools also applies to dental schools. All applicants must take the Dental Admission Test.  Certain courses not taken by all chemical engineering students may also be required, but these vary markedly from school to school.  Students who are interested in dentistry can obtain specific information from the University of Florida Academic Advising Center.

Pharmacy School

Much of the information above about medical schools also applies to pharmacy schools. Certain courses not taken by all chemical engineering students are also required, but these vary markedly from school to school.  Students who are interested in pharmacy can obtain specific information from the University of Florida Academic Advising Center.

Law School

Some engineering graduates elect to enter law school where they find their training in careful and objective analysis is a distinct asset.  Many of these students are preparing for careers in patent or corporation law that will enable them to draw on their combined knowledge of engineering and law.  Others who do not plan to use their engineering knowledge directly, find that the discipline in logical reasoning acquired in an engineering education provides excellent preparation for the study of law.

Taking difficult courses from demanding instructors is the best generic preparation for legal education.  Pre-law students must develop analytic and problem-solving skills, critical reading abilities, writing skills, oral communication and listening abilities, research skills, and organization and priority management skills. In short, pre-law students should register for demanding courses that challenge them to read, write, and think critically.

Law schools generally have no specific course requirements but typically look for courses where the student would have had writing and speaking experience, particularly where the topic required critical appraisal of material, as opposed to a speech or writing course.

Students interested in admission to a law school are encouraged to consult the pre-law web site which is located at www.advising.ufl.edu/prelaw. After reviewing the web site, students should attend pre-law group advising sessions and workshops. In the junior year, students are may make individual advising appointments with a pre-law advisor in the University of Florida Academic Advising Center. Also look over the UF College of Law Student Handbook

Graduate Study in Business (MBA)

Many engineering graduates advance rapidly into positions of administrative responsibility. Hence, it is not surprising these engineers often elect to do graduate studies in the area of business administration after they have graduated.

Most MBA programs do not have specific course requirements, but do require that the applicant have several years of experience. The following courses in economics, marketing and management, which fulfill general education Social and Behavioral Science elective requirements, are recommended. 

• MAR 3023 Principles of Marketing (4 credit hours)
• MAN 3025 Principles of Management (4 credit hours)
• ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (3 credit hours)
• ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (3 credit hours)

Courses in accounting or finance would also provide an additional head start for students who plan to pursue graduate studies in business and can be taken as extra electives which do not count towards a Chemical Engineering degree.

The requirements for admission to the Graduate School of Business at the University of Florida are outlined in the catalog of the Graduate School.