i took a lot of engineering/architecture/drafting and design classes in HS, and im still in some now in my senior year and from what ive found the math isnt REALLY deep. im in pre-calc and in general i dont think there is anything beyond maybe some trig and geometry that is used too much beyond basic math. but who knows, i may be wrong. but in 4 years of HS drafting classes and such i havent experienced anything i coulnt handle and im no mathematician.


EDIT: imo, its a great thing to get into. go for the major. it will be fun and if you're good, you will be able to more than support yourself.

I studied MechE at Carnegie Mellon. It sucked. But I think it was the program (50+hrs or school work a week, busted girls, poor weather, and they test you on shit they don't teach you).

But to answer your questions...

1. It is a great field if you like to work with math, physics, designing shit and building shit. Most engineering programs are harder than other majors, which says if anything that you are smarter and/or harder working than the average Joe.

2. Most MechE programs go to 3D-Calc and/or DiffEQ. You might do some specialed engineering math too. Its hard, but not imossible.

3. Four.

Good Luck.

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I do what I can do when I can do it.

My friend was going in to it. He told me he switched to Graphic Design when he noticed the whole 4+ years of Calculus part. Why would you do that to yourself?

I'm studying computer engineering/computer science at the moment, although I'm probably switching to electrical engineering (basically the same thing), so it's a bit different than M.E. but similar.

You will be taking a lot of math and physics, probably up to calculus 3 and differential equations, at least. I actually found Calc 2 to be harder than Calc 3 (vector/multidimensional calculus) as well as linear algebra/differential equations (what I'm taking right now) except that Linear Algebra/D.E. is pretty abstract. At most colleges almost all majors are 4 years, unless its a big ass public school where it's hard to get your classes, then it could take 5 years.

It's not 4+ years of calculus, its probably 3 semesters, so a year and a half, less if you took it in high school, then probably another course in diff equ's. And why would we do it to ourselves...to make more money than you ;-)

Only really the computer science people need to worry about outsourcing, since it's much harder to outsource hardware than software, which is part of the reason I'll probably switch to E.E.

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-tom

I'm in my 3rd year as an Industrial Engineer, and I'm in the process of switching to Environmental Engineering.

If you have any qualms about math whatsoever I'd suggest another major than engineering. All of your classes involve math, not just calc, physics, linear methods, etc.

One good thing about ENGR though, is that if you do it and hate it all the way through, you can still go into a varity of different work fields b/c having an ENGR degree is so well respected.

I used to like math, and that's why I wanted to go into engineering. Now I'm getting sick of it. What the hell did I get myself into? Run and get away while you still have a chance.

quote:

Originally posted by DTMMfam I used to like math, and that's why I wanted to go into engineering. Now I'm getting sick of it. What the hell did I get myself into? Run and get away while you still have a chance.

amen to taht.

Here's my chief engineer....



Hope she's got something engineered for me real soon!


[[[smoke]]]

Ian van Dahl - State of Mind

1. Yes, the math does get quite hard, but nothing is impossible really. I would say it is at least 2x harder than your current calculus (meaning you have to spend 2x as much time on it to get about the same grade). As for abstractness, I wouldn't think so. Mechanical Engineering is, for me, one of the less abstract engineering programs out there. The most abstract things you'll probably get is things like integration of curved surfaces and vectors and stuff.

2. 4 years, as with most other bachelor programs.

Mechanical Engineering is quite a challenge, but the amount of different things that you can do with it is awesome. Anything from aerospace, to automotive, to toys, to industrial machines, robotics, power tools, household appliances, etc...

I'm in second year mechanical engineering btw...

Oh, and if you are looking to pick up girls in this program, look elsewhere... my class has a ratio of less than 1:10 of girls:guys. It almost feels like a wangfest.

But nevertheless, I enjoy what I study

quote:

Originally posted by kewlness 1. Yes, the math does get quite hard, but nothing is impossible really. I would say it is at least 2x harder than your current calculus (meaning you have to spend 2x as much time on it to get about the same grade). As for abstractness, I wouldn't think so. Mechanical Engineering is, for me, one of the less abstract engineering programs out there. The most abstract things you'll probably get is things like integration of curved surfaces and vectors and stuff. 2. 4 years, as with most other bachelor programs. Mechanical Engineering is quite a challenge, but the amount of different things that you can do with it is awesome. Anything from aerospace, to automotive, to toys, to industrial machines, robotics, power tools, household appliances, etc... I'm in second year mechanical engineering btw... Oh, and if you are looking to pick up girls in this program, look elsewhere... my class has a ratio of less than 1:10 of girls:guys. It almost feels like a wangfest. But nevertheless, I enjoy what I study

I don't think anyone can walk out of a college with an engineering degree of any type and honestly say he did it for the chicks.
hahaha

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quote:

Originally posted by OurManFlint I'm looking to make this my major as of next quarter, but I was just wondering, if anybody is studying it: Is it a good feild to get into, what with all the outscourcing, Does the math get extremely hard and abstract? How many years does it take to usually get a degree in it. I'm able to handle the math well as of now in calculas 1, I just don't want to suddenly hit a wall that I can't get past.

Statics, Dynamics, luiquid Mechanics, Engineering Maths, Load Analysis etc etc. if this sound like music to your ears then do it!

Im not yet an Engineer. I am a Mechanical Drafter with a year left on my degree. The maths problems are easy for Mechanical Design. They are set (std) equations that you just plug in the variables & 'BAM'!

Discovering the wonders of Moments will blow your mind. Statics basics is a peice of piss. Equations just get bigger & bigger as the number of members increase.

Maths is the same old shit you learned in High School. You will probably go over alot of stuff you already know. Be warned: The maths problems do get harder than the ones you did in high school. If you nailed your Trig & Calc n HS, you'll nail it in Uni; that's if you are motivated to do your homework & not slack off & do a all weekend binge!!!! Oh the flash back!! Damn I don't even know how I passed some subjects!

There is a light at the end of the Tunnel for Engineering though. Lots of work out there. More work for Electrical Engineers unfortunately! I dont even think Electrical is a real discipline!!
Project Management in Industry is the way to go. These days though Project Engineers are more Administrators with all the report they have to write out. Design Engineering is the most interesting Job. blagh blah blah that'll do. Hope it sorta helps

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