<p>I'm equally interested in both Civil Engineering and Architecture but which major is a "better choice". It would be helpful if someone or more than one person can answer these questions:</p>
<p>1) pros and cons of pursuing a civil engineering major
(very broad question, basically what do you like about civil engineering?)
2) pros and cons of pursuing an architecture major
(very broad question, basically what do you like about architecture?)
3) what are the differences between civil eng. and architecture?
-if it's at all possible, please provide an example of an ideal civil engineer (what would this person be interested in) and an example of an architect
4) what jobs can I get with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering? are there any benefits in going for a masters degree in civil engineering (job-wise)?
5) what jobs can I get with an undergraduate degree in architecture? (it's probably pretty limited to being an architect but I'm just wondering if there's anything else) are there any benefits in going for a masters degree in architecture (job-wise)?
6) is it easier to get a job in architecture or civil engineering?
7) I've heard from someone that it's possible to become a licensed architect by going to school for 7 1/2 years total (4 year undergrad degree in any major and 3 1/2 years architecture grad (masters) degree) would it be beneficial to go to school this long and get an undergrad in civil and a grad in architecture if it turns out that I am interested in both?</p>
<p>A lot of these questions may be stupid because I don't really understand how college majors work that well (I'm still a freshman in high school)
If most of these questions could be answered that'd be a great help, you don't even have to answer all of them.</p>
<p>Architectural engineering is essentially the same as what chowkm was asking about, which I assume is the structural field within civil engineering. (If you were actually talking about civil engineering as a whole, please ignore every time I say something about buildings … Civil engineering can include environmental, transportation, hydraulics …)</p>
<p>I’m also someone who has been interested in architecture for a long time, but I’ve decided to pursue structural engineering and maybe if I want, go get an M.Arch later. I don’t have too much to say since I’m still a college student, but I can tell you that from what I’ve heard from everyone, (6) job prospects aren’t good in architecture, and the industry is very cut-throat. Engineering would give you much better job security. (4) For Civil, you are definitely qualified for a serious job with a bachelor’s, a master’s is not needed. (5) I’m not sure what you’re asking and I don’t know how much you know already, but if you do a 5-year B.Arch, you would not need to do a master’s. (7) I think it’s up to you to decide whether that time spent is worth it or not. If you’re coming from a related field like structural engineering, it would probably take you less than 3.5 years to complete your master’s for Arch.</p>
<p>(3) Civil/structural engineering will be concerned with how to make the designs work and how to make the buildings/etc. stand structurally. This will involve a lot of physics, math, materials … Architecture will be all about the design and aesthetics, more conceptual. But in the real world of an architect, much of the job will not actually involve design. From what I know, it takes a long time to work your way up and actually be a significant part of the design. I chose engineering personally because of that reason, and because I love buildings enough to be happy working with them in any aspect. (That might change and I might go on to architecture for grad school).</p>
<p>I’m a civil engineering student like the poster above as well. </p>
<p>When entering college I was also debating between those two majors but I ended up going with civil engineering after reading all about both. They key difference from my understanding is that Architecture is like art school, you learn to design things and make models of buildings. Civil Engineering is more Math intensive where you learn to understand how the building is built. You actually also get to make models in civil engineering too but your models are more computer based and more for technical reasons sort of like diagrams. </p>
<p>I believe many Architecture schools don’t even require you to take math past calculus 2, which was a big thing for me since I love math. In Architecture school you also tend to have to take more Architectural History courses as well. Architecture students spend a lot of time in studios, Civil Engineering students spend a lot of time in labs and the library. Many building/construction companies hire both Architects and civil engineers since they both work together. Generally it is much easier to get a job as a civil engineer than an architect, although I would say which job is easier tends to be more based on your skill-sets and talent. A talented architect or engineer should do well with either. If you do undergrad in civil engineering, you can take art courses on the side and then go to Architecture school for masters and I believe both complement each other well, the reverse is not true however since Engineering can get very in depth which requires undergrad background to continue in graduate school. </p>
<p>I was an architectural engineering major, because I wanted to learn about BUILDINGS, not highways, drainage systems, blah, blah, blah. I also got my master’s in engineering with a concentration in structures. As an ArchE major, I had to take a couple of semesters of architectural design. I quickly realized I do NOT have the artistic talent to be an architect! I like being a structural engineer. Each day is different, and I’m not bored very often. You received excellent answers from happyramen and Perake, also. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your answers. They’re all helping in my decision of either pursuing civil engineering or architecture and as of now it seems that I’d enjoy civil engineering more, because I’m more into math than art.</p>
<p>I think its also important to mention that there are a lot of opportunities regarding research with civil engineering. I’m an undergrad MechE at Lehigh Uiversity and I know of a lot of research going on here at the school. My school has an excellent research facility and they do some really crazy stuff in this lab. Take a look if you’re interested: </p>