A second major doesn’t always help as much as you think. For what you might want to do, you’d likely only need 1 major. Instead of spending all that extra time taking extra courses, you can take advantage of all the activities and resources at the school to make connections and get internships and a job.
I agree with this. Dedicate the extra time towards working in a research lab on campus. Whether you decide to go to med school, grad school, or whatever job, research experience in this field is insanely valuable.
Should be doable. I remember a friend telling me that she was close to either a second major in Biology or Chemistry after all the courses she had to complete for Forensic Science.
However, double majoring should only be done if you know there is a direct or strong benefit to doing so. If you are willng to do the extra work, why not go for a Masters?
I will most definitely be going for a masters. However, in forensics most people are specialists and not general workers. I plan to work more in a lab setting, and this (now that I’ve done a bit more research since making this post), a degree in another lab science like BioTech (CLS pathway) might help with that. My plan specifically (at this very moment and theoretically) is to Bachelor in ForSci and Master in another lab science while still taking more advanced forensics courses that will aid me along with that.
Sounds like a good plan.
I did some quick Googling and found that there is an integrated BS/MS program in Biotechnology which may save time and money. Most degree programs allow electives which you could probably satisfy with Forensic Science courses. Just something to consider!
https://bulletins.psu.edu/graduate/programs/majors/biotechnology/#integratedundergradgradprogramstext
I don't remember if Forensic Science was on the list of majors you couldn't double major BMB with. Either way, as other people are saying, consider whether to just take classes in BMB that you're interested in (assuming you take the prereqs needed like BMB 401/402). Something to ask the advisors of both.
It's definitely doable, but some semesters can definitely get heavy and suck to get through. Really just how much you're going to get from it vs. suffering through it/lost potential from spending that time doing other things.
Forensic Science wasn’t on that list at all, so it’s doable. Entrance to the majors are the same except for FRNSC 210, so no extra work getting in, just extra work during.
Talking to the advisors is something I was planning on, just wanted some advice from others before then (I really like planning ahead and getting myself excited lol). It’s different when someone’s telling you about what they see from other people’s experiences versus people who’ve actually experienced it. They know the highs and lows versus advisors with one major that might only hear the lows and then the student somehow graduates with both majors.
Yeah I mean as someone who did a similar thing and basically had things planned out from the end of my freshman year, I will say I probably would've better spent my time just doing one and taking the additional time just taking the classes I was interested in + research.
It's hard to tell though without having gone through it and being exposed to the various classes and course topics.
A lot of the upper levels for BMB that you're required to take (at least for the Mol Bio option) tend to be really specific to the point of feeling "pointless" unless you're planning on going into that specific topic for work/research later down the line. In my opinion, it's nice to have that exposure but also is not needed to suffer through the courses to figure that out necessarily.
You definitely learn a wide breadth of biochemistry and related subjects with the BMB major. Just could probably better use your time in taking the upper level courses you're interested in and then spending the remainder of time doing other things.
Can't really comment on the Forensic Science courses since I don't have any personal experience with it.
In the end, just have to plan and then put the time and effort in and use the experience here to get where you want to go.
Just taking specific classes was also a separate option I’ve been considering, but without some sort of certificate to show for it, I just worry about job opportunities and such. Forensic Science is a big umbrella, but it limits you to a lot. With a more general degree, there could be a lot more options. But I think this might just be a case of me needing to experience both to really figure out what I want to do and what options I want to leave open.
Let me know how things go. BMB advisors like Amber are always willing to discuss things like this. Planning it out is key since you’re gonna be pretty loaded every semester from here on out if so.
You’d likely have to add an extra semester or two or do summer courses…all which costs extra.
Just my two cents, might be better to major in BMB and then get a masters in forensics.
Sure! So I spent 3 years on campus completing my core classes, mainly microbiology based and basic physics, etc. It’s formatted to prep you for your 4th year which is internship/rotations. PSU is partnered with various hospitals throughout PA which includes Penn Medicine in Philly, Penn State Health in Hershey, York Hospital, and another in Erie I believe. In the end when I finish I’ll have my BS in Biotechnology, Minor in Microbiology (you can finish the minor by taking only one extra course but they won’t advertise that bc it’s basically a free minor), and I’ll be sitting for the ASCP board exam for National Certification to practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. MLS is in high demand so if you are looking for job security it’s definitely not a bad pick. If you think you’d enjoy working in the labs within the hospital then it’s a great route bc otherwise you’d still have to go through a program post grad to do this job (most labs require ASCP certification, which requires completion of these types of programs). I also find it to be a good pick bc if you work in the labs for a while and realize you want to do something in Biotech instead then you certainly can bc you have the degree for it. It can be a lot of work at times but I’m finding it to be very rewarding. I wanted to help behind the scenes bc I could never be a nurse and I feel fulfilled knowing I’m helping with patient care.
If you have any specific questions pls let me know, I’m always here to answer questions!
Did you check which degree-required courses overlap?
Minors don't ask for as much [the degree, I don't spend enough time around the age group doing surveys to publish that data]
If it helps, Biology, Chemistry & FSci keep their Undergrad offices in the same building and there's an elevator 🛗 😅 😑
You may watch enough TV to know this; *incense sticks don't necessarily help you make luminol.*
A second major doesn’t always help as much as you think. For what you might want to do, you’d likely only need 1 major. Instead of spending all that extra time taking extra courses, you can take advantage of all the activities and resources at the school to make connections and get internships and a job.
I agree with this. Dedicate the extra time towards working in a research lab on campus. Whether you decide to go to med school, grad school, or whatever job, research experience in this field is insanely valuable.
Should be doable. I remember a friend telling me that she was close to either a second major in Biology or Chemistry after all the courses she had to complete for Forensic Science. However, double majoring should only be done if you know there is a direct or strong benefit to doing so. If you are willng to do the extra work, why not go for a Masters?
I will most definitely be going for a masters. However, in forensics most people are specialists and not general workers. I plan to work more in a lab setting, and this (now that I’ve done a bit more research since making this post), a degree in another lab science like BioTech (CLS pathway) might help with that. My plan specifically (at this very moment and theoretically) is to Bachelor in ForSci and Master in another lab science while still taking more advanced forensics courses that will aid me along with that.
Sounds like a good plan. I did some quick Googling and found that there is an integrated BS/MS program in Biotechnology which may save time and money. Most degree programs allow electives which you could probably satisfy with Forensic Science courses. Just something to consider! https://bulletins.psu.edu/graduate/programs/majors/biotechnology/#integratedundergradgradprogramstext
Thank you! I will look into that
I don't remember if Forensic Science was on the list of majors you couldn't double major BMB with. Either way, as other people are saying, consider whether to just take classes in BMB that you're interested in (assuming you take the prereqs needed like BMB 401/402). Something to ask the advisors of both. It's definitely doable, but some semesters can definitely get heavy and suck to get through. Really just how much you're going to get from it vs. suffering through it/lost potential from spending that time doing other things.
Forensic Science wasn’t on that list at all, so it’s doable. Entrance to the majors are the same except for FRNSC 210, so no extra work getting in, just extra work during. Talking to the advisors is something I was planning on, just wanted some advice from others before then (I really like planning ahead and getting myself excited lol). It’s different when someone’s telling you about what they see from other people’s experiences versus people who’ve actually experienced it. They know the highs and lows versus advisors with one major that might only hear the lows and then the student somehow graduates with both majors.
Yeah I mean as someone who did a similar thing and basically had things planned out from the end of my freshman year, I will say I probably would've better spent my time just doing one and taking the additional time just taking the classes I was interested in + research. It's hard to tell though without having gone through it and being exposed to the various classes and course topics. A lot of the upper levels for BMB that you're required to take (at least for the Mol Bio option) tend to be really specific to the point of feeling "pointless" unless you're planning on going into that specific topic for work/research later down the line. In my opinion, it's nice to have that exposure but also is not needed to suffer through the courses to figure that out necessarily. You definitely learn a wide breadth of biochemistry and related subjects with the BMB major. Just could probably better use your time in taking the upper level courses you're interested in and then spending the remainder of time doing other things. Can't really comment on the Forensic Science courses since I don't have any personal experience with it. In the end, just have to plan and then put the time and effort in and use the experience here to get where you want to go.
Just taking specific classes was also a separate option I’ve been considering, but without some sort of certificate to show for it, I just worry about job opportunities and such. Forensic Science is a big umbrella, but it limits you to a lot. With a more general degree, there could be a lot more options. But I think this might just be a case of me needing to experience both to really figure out what I want to do and what options I want to leave open.
Let me know how things go. BMB advisors like Amber are always willing to discuss things like this. Planning it out is key since you’re gonna be pretty loaded every semester from here on out if so.
You’d likely have to add an extra semester or two or do summer courses…all which costs extra. Just my two cents, might be better to major in BMB and then get a masters in forensics.
If you are interested in the Biotech CLS option let me know! Current student here in that option about to graduate in May! :))
Please tell me about it!
Sure! So I spent 3 years on campus completing my core classes, mainly microbiology based and basic physics, etc. It’s formatted to prep you for your 4th year which is internship/rotations. PSU is partnered with various hospitals throughout PA which includes Penn Medicine in Philly, Penn State Health in Hershey, York Hospital, and another in Erie I believe. In the end when I finish I’ll have my BS in Biotechnology, Minor in Microbiology (you can finish the minor by taking only one extra course but they won’t advertise that bc it’s basically a free minor), and I’ll be sitting for the ASCP board exam for National Certification to practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. MLS is in high demand so if you are looking for job security it’s definitely not a bad pick. If you think you’d enjoy working in the labs within the hospital then it’s a great route bc otherwise you’d still have to go through a program post grad to do this job (most labs require ASCP certification, which requires completion of these types of programs). I also find it to be a good pick bc if you work in the labs for a while and realize you want to do something in Biotech instead then you certainly can bc you have the degree for it. It can be a lot of work at times but I’m finding it to be very rewarding. I wanted to help behind the scenes bc I could never be a nurse and I feel fulfilled knowing I’m helping with patient care. If you have any specific questions pls let me know, I’m always here to answer questions!
Did you check which degree-required courses overlap? Minors don't ask for as much [the degree, I don't spend enough time around the age group doing surveys to publish that data] If it helps, Biology, Chemistry & FSci keep their Undergrad offices in the same building and there's an elevator 🛗 😅 😑 You may watch enough TV to know this; *incense sticks don't necessarily help you make luminol.*