auditing mechanical engineering classes?

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>I just graduated with my BS in physics and applied math. In a year or so, I may apply to grad schools in materials or mechanical engineering or applied math. I chose not to apply this fall since I don't have enough background in engineering to know for sure that I will enjoy graduate studies in those, since I haven't taken any engineering classes.</p>

<p>After completing plasma physics lab and thermodynamics this semester, I didn't enjoy either subject very much. I had enjoyed thermo from my freshman level calc-based physics course, but this upper-div thermo was too theoretical for me. Also, i had mixed feelings after completing quantum mechanics. That's why i've recently been leaning more towards mechanical instead of materials engineering. Also, i enjoyed my freshman-level mechanics class, so i think i may like Statics, Dynamics, and Vibrations. As for applied math, i enjoyed most of the courses in general, but didnt enjoy doing theorem proofs in real and fourier analysis, so if graduate level applied math requires doing theorem proofs, i wish to avoid it.</p>

<p>I've tried looking for research positions with engineering professors at my current school, but I don't qualify for them since I don't have an engineering background. But from my undergrad research projects and lab courses in physics, i'm sure i want to do programming and modeling instead of experimental work, related to physical problems. I'm not so much interested in the programming tools, so i dont think i'd like Computer science. I'm more interested in the programming tools to solve physical problems</p>

<p>Since i've now graduated from college, what should i do with my time? What should I do: audit some courses in mechanical engineering, find a full-time job, or find a undergrad research position? I dont know if the finding a full-time job option would work, since i may use this upcoming summer to join a research program, so i cant just find a full-time job now, and then quit for the summer, right?</p>

<p>for mechanical engineering, i've looked into heat transfer, fluid mechanics, statics, dynamics, and vibrations. But the only mechE classes i can audit next semester are fluid mech, statics, dynamics, and engineering thermo</p>

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<p>What I would have done if I were you is apply to graduate programs at schools that have a lot of interdisciplinary research going on. That way you could have “explored” a lot of courses and then chosen a direction without “wasting” a year. For example, at my school some of ME faculty do a lot of research with the materials engineering department, and some of their research assistants are from the materials department. There are also professors whose work is very theoretical and there is little distinction between themselves and physicits.</p>

3

<p>You would have been admitted with “deficiencies” so while you were catching up on undergraduate course work you could have decided which direction you wanted to go into.</p>

4

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<p>First of all, I don’t recommend auditing classes. If you are going to pay to attend classes, I would take them for credit. I would also only take classes that are upper level ME classes and that are taught by active researchers at the school. I would then work very hard, attend office hours, talk to the professors, and see if you can get into a research lab with one of them (or at least get to know one well enough for a reference to a graduate school or to know your name when you submit an application to that college). </p>

<p>I also would not seek full-time employment. It would look really bad if you quit after just a year. Rather, look for an internship through your school’s career services department. There are some companies that will hire you for a year as an intern or co-op. Another option is to seek full-time employment then consider working on an MS in ME at night. You can usually find an employer that will pay for the MS, and many ME departments will accept Math majors with some leveling courses.</p>

5

<p>‘Another option is to seek full-time employment then consider working on an MS in ME at night. You can usually find an employer that will pay for the MS, and many ME departments will accept Math majors with some leveling courses.’</p>

<p>how do i know which employers will pay for me working on the MS? do i ask them during the interview? also, what if i’m not sure at this point if i want a MS or phD?</p>

<p>‘see if you can get into a research lab with one of them (or at least get to know one well enough for a reference to a graduate school or to know your name when you submit an application to that college).’</p>

<p>i forgot to mention earlier that i am currently doing research with math professor, but its not quite the work i’m looking for since its not related to engineering at all. its mostly just doing c++, with no numerical analysis or anything involved. he can only hire me for 10 hrs/wk next semester, which is why i’m looking for engineering profs to do research with.</p>

<p>also, now that i think about it, i dont really need to find another prof to do research with, as i should have an offer during the summer, as i explained here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/830087-should-i-accept-offer-doe.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/830087-should-i-accept-offer-doe.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>if it’s not really that urgent that I take ME classes ASAP, would it better if I just spent this semester off just staying at home taking care of my ill family member?</p>