any systems engineering majors out there??

<p>Hey everyone.</p>

<p>Im hoping to get into UVa's Eschool, and have been looking into their different programs. Im very interested in both engineering and economics, and was reading on UVa's site about how it's possible to major in systems engineering and focus on economic systems.</p>

<p>I get the basic idea of what systems engineering is, but i was hoping that i can get some first-hand information on what systems engineering exactly is and how UVa's program is.
Can anyone help me?</p>

<p>thanks.</p>

<p>Hey, I'm in the E-School so I can tell you a bit about Systems.</p>

<p>Systems is similar to General/Business Engineering. You mainly deal with a system. Ways to start the system, ways to improve it and ways to end it if necessary. </p>

<p>The classes I heard weren't as hard as the other Engineering ones, but are also difficult. Systems and Econ can go together very well.</p>

<p>Son is majoring in Sys Eng and Econ. If you have specific questions, I can relay to him. It is a lot of work to do both. Even with AP credits, he still needs 3 additional courses to do both majors. Three of the semeters, he is doing something like 18 or 19 credits each. It's easier if you do economics as a minor. Or you can just do Sys Eng with focus in econ.</p>

<p>I'm a current 3rd year in the Systems (and information) engineering department. </p>

<p>If you are looking to mix engineering and economics, Systems is your ideal choice. There seems to be more flexibility with the department that allows you to pursue other interest. A large portion of the Systems students go for the Engineering Business minor. I also know a lot of students that are double majoring in business/economics. These fields work very well together because the systems department stresses working with data. There is also a very large amount of team work. </p>

<p>All systems engineers must follow a sequence, which helps to concentrate your knowledge towards a field. You could chose "Economic Systems" as your sequence (see the list and explanation here: University</a> of Virginia: Department of Systems and Information Engineering).</p>

<p>Systems is difficult, there is no doubt about it. We are required to take more math than nearly any department (6-7 APMA courses), which includes separate classes on probability and statistics. But you will learn alot about team work, effective presentations, consulting work, data manipulation, simulation, forecasting, and a lot more. </p>

<p>Take a look at the Systems website (University</a> of Virginia: Department of Systems and Information Engineering) and feel free to ask me anything.</p>

<p>Thanks you for all of the replies!!!
Systems-E does seem pretty interesting to me, since i would like it if i had the opportunity to study both engineering and economics. Thanks for all of the great info.</p>

<p>I do not know whether or not ive been accepted, but i was also wondering how being an engineering major is like during your 1st year?? As a HS senior, Im not positive (who is...) about what type of engineering i would like to do, even though im interested in alot of different kinds. Does the cirriculum for a 1st year engineering student allow its students to figure out what type of engineering theyd be most interested in?? </p>

<p>Id really like to know this info, and a response would be awesome. Once again, thanks for the information everybody!</p>

<p>You have until April of first year to decide your major. Every engineer takes the same classes first semester, and the only differences second semester is your humanities elective and science elective. Plenty of students come in with no idea of a major, plenty change their major as well.</p>

<p>Many students (myself included) thought that ENGR 162 would provide a good overview of all of the possible engineering majors, however, it usually does not. The classes seem to vary greatly and will concentrate on the particular professor's field. So, you should not reply on this class for picking a major. </p>

<p>To pick a major you mostly have to do your own research. Each major will have open houses and information sessions that can be helpful. They also all line up outside during major declaration information day to lure in unsuspecting students. Each of the departments have their courses posted and should offer information about the classes you can expect. BME and Systems are capped on admissions, however, I don't think the systems caps should be any problem at all (I'm not sure it has ever been reached). </p>

<p>You have nearly a whole year to figure it out. It may seem difficult and daunting, but it really isn't that bad when you get to it. And because everyone takes the same classes during the first year, if you don't like your selected major, it isn't that hard to switch to a new one.</p>

<p>Borninthesky - Thanks for all of that info it's very helpful. And yea, it is kinda daunting to think about, but i feel alot better now that i know how everything works as far as picking a major. thanks so much!</p>