Materials Engineering Graduate Degree?? (Electrochemical Engineering?)

[Rynz]

Hello, I need some help trying to decide my future degree. Any comments would be appreciated!

My History:
I want to dedicate my career innovating Electrochemical technologies (Fuel Cells, Batteries, Solar Cells, etc...).
Before entering college, I originally applied as a "Chemical Engineering major (B.S.)" but later found out chemical engineers are more associated with learning about Process Control/Operation and "Materials Science & Engineering (B.S.)" is a more relevant major for working with electrochemical technologies. However, my institution does not offer this major, and I switched to "Chemistry major (B.S.)" thinking that chemistry is probably the next most relevant. 

Current Problem:
Fast forward 4 years. I am going to take my GRE and apply for graduate schools soon in the Fall. As a chemistry major and from all the internships I have done, I realize i do not like to work in a wet-lab (goggles, lab coats, gloves) environment but enjoy dry-lab (characterization and fabrication).
At the same time, I still want to work with electrochemical technologies because I want to develop or lead a team to develop electrochemical technologies that may one day solve all our energy needs <-- (at least that is the dream!). Also, is it possible to achieve such an endeavor without working in a wet-lab environment? (I do not want to work in a wet-lab environment due to the hazards and dangers that it poses. I have known colleagues who have been injured by the negligence of others.)

Right now, I do not know what type of graduate programs to apply to. I know I will be applying for an advanced "Materials Science/Engineering" degree since it is the most relevant to my dream career work. 

Should I apply to a Masters of Science program or a Masters of Engineering program? or Do I need a PhD for my dream career goals?
(I want to focus more on engineering/technical work than research.)

Any suggestions? Thank you for reading my concerns by the way!

Edited July 5, 2014 by Rynz

[Eigen]

IMO, it's going to be very hard to do the work you want without working in a wet-lab environment. Electrochemistry is inherently a wet-lab field. 

 

You might want to refine your research interests to something that more suits the work you want to do?

 

Also, if you want to lead a team for developing technology, you will likely need to go for a PhD. Even in Industry, R&D heads are usually PhDs. 

[starofdawn]

I don't mean to nitpick your post, but you say that you want to lead/develop a team to develop technologies, but don't want to work in research? Am I small-minded, or does that seem counter-intuitive?

 

Additionally - when I was applying to MS&E programs, I never saw Masters of Eng. options, only Masters of Science.

[Xavinoid]

If your purpose is to develop electrochemical technologies for the future, then you should probably think about doing a research oriented MS or a PhD. This is why research degrees exist.