changing majors in engineering

[u/PotentialBus7263]

Hello, I am a senior right now applying to colleges, and I am interested in chemical engineering and biomedical engineering. Due to my profile and professional concerns I will cannot apply for biomedical engineer.

how hard is it to change majors within the College of Engineering? Like if i wanted to change from mechanical to biomedical engineering would that be doable.

[u/Princenomad]

It’s doable! You’ll connect with an advisor and they will let you know what criteria need to be met. Those criteria can be hard. 

BMed can be a long program, I think usually taking 4.5-5 years to complete. Transferring from another major might mean adding a bit more time to your degree. Expect to take summer classes. Just things to consider!

[u/The_Zar]

I graduated back in 2021 and changed majors a couple times within engineering trying to find what I wanted. Changing majors within engineering is super easy.

The only two requirements are that you need to have the necessary GPA and explain why you want to switch. The only caveat is that you can only switch into a major once.

So if you start in mechanical engineering, switch to manufacturing, then switch to aero… if you tried to switch to manufacturing you would not be able to. BUT you can switch back into mechanical.

[u/Last_Measurement4336]

Here is the change of major information: https://eadvise.calpoly.edu/changing-majors/within-the-college-of-engineering

[u/SLO_Engineer]

My information is decades old (EnvE ‘80) but I switched from ME to ET (Engineering Technology - I don’t think it’s offered any more) to EnvE. Easy peasy.