I am currently in an Electromechanical Technology program and plan on transferring to a 4 year university for Electrical Engineering Technology. Also, I do plan on getting a minor in mathematics. How can I prepare myself with my education background I expect to have to apply to a graduate engineering program?
The real question, is why do you want to go into a graduate program?
In a “technology” program, the mathematics requirements are less stringent, and the study of theoretical subject matter is somewhat less rigorous. Each of these are important in a graduate program.
The minor in math helps to counter the gap in mathematics, but not the lack of theoretical subject matter experience.
Back to my first question, why graduate school? If it’s something you’re interested in, you should go into a standard engineering program, which would better prepare you for a graduate program. Keep in mind a lot of engineers pass on graduate school, or delay it till they work in industry for a few years.
If you can handle the math required for a minor, why choose a Technology program? Is that the only “type” offered at your school?
Engineering technology degrees don’t readily lend themselves to graduate studies. Why are you majoring in ET if you want to go to grad school?
Engineering tech typically takes algebra vs Calc based physics and the reqs are different. You might need a lot of catch-up to get in.
I have to take a Calculus Based physics class.
What about differential equations? Is that required? And is it only one calculus-based physics class? What about the rest of your 300-level and higher courses? Do they frequently dip back into the calculus and differential equations pool? If not, that is a problem.
I’ll be straight with you here. As someone who is involved with graduate admissions for an engineering department, I can tell you that it is uncommon for us to look kindly on an engineering technology degree. They are usually so watered down on the theory side of things compared to the more traditional engineering degrees, which can really hurt when it comes to succeeding in graduate school.
@boneh3ad Not to mention some ET programs don’t even take multivaribale but stop at Calc 2.
To the OP: if you want to go to graduate school why don’t you major in engineering? If you don’t want to because it’s too hard then grad school is even harder than UG engineering.
Does your CC offer pre-reqs for engineering? If so, take those classes.