<p>D is at college and thinks alot about engineering, but had a horrible physcis teacher in highschool (chem too), but does well in math classes. Loved programming at a program at Carnegie, loved Environmental AP....thus thinking about Engineering and Computer Science. Maybe later to Masters that incorporates management side. She started looking at college Physics book and feels behind since most had good high school physics or several years of it in HS.</p>
<p>For those familiar with engineering say, you hated physics or don't care for it, but still pursued degree in ENGS.</p>
<p>D did attend liberal arts college w/engineering to double major/ major-minor.</p>
<p>PS: I'm more into finance, so while I read up on ABET, etc. I have a limited background.</p>
<p>As a student I heard complains from upperclassmen about how much they hated about physics. But physics is a major guide in engineering, so it is unavoidable.
They will know the stuff they need to, and unlike me I go a lot deeper than just knowing the definitions, and application. I look very deep into the meaning of the equation, the symbols, etc. I spent my leisure time doing that.</p>
<p>I love physics but I am a computer engineering student (I do plan to pursue a second major in physics - for my graduate physics study in the future). I choose it because I like both hardware and software. Moreover engineering is quite a safe field for job. Not guarantee. I am just saying the pay and the job is quite good. It’s a good backup plan. But I like it personally.</p>
<p>I am not quite sure who are you asking for because the same “D” (I assume that meant daughter") appears twice. Are the two “D” the same daughter?
</p>
<p>IMO choosing computer science and engineering is a waste of time if she likes the programming part, and she wishes to be taught through classes (not self-lecture), and she also likes the part of computer, computer engineering is the ideal path for her.
But since she likes environmental and programming, I’d say take as many computer science courses as she may. It might be easier for her to complete a minor instead - which is enough for any programming lover.</p>
<p>Sometime there is a dual program available for computer science merged into an engineering circumlum.</p>
<p>Yes, D for daughter. If she chooses CS, she won’t do ENGS also. My point is the job market…I think she has better opportunity with engineering. Exactly, she liked the programming, building robot, etc. but she isn’t sure she wants to do it for a living since summer program was only time she was exposed to it (Carnegie had awesome programs). She may double or minor in area like history, government, language. The college does have both levels (Engineering and Engineering Science, Environmental Studies and Environmental Engs., etc. so she can always do a lower level. She may end up switching to CS, since she does think it will be easier than engineering. D also also new to college, trying to do a D1 sport, so when you take Calc/Physics, etc. at the same time it is pretty demanding.</p>
<p>PS: She loves math so much, she said she wouldn’t mind being a math major or double in math.</p>
<p>If you are an engineering student, a minor in math is pretty easy. Usually 2 or 3 more classes. For computer science, at our school one will need either 3 or 4 courses to complete a math minor, if I am correct (because as a engineering student I need only 2 more - computer science is one short)</p>
<p>There are definitely engineers in sport teams. Many that I knew in school are very good engineering students. It’s how well you can manage your time and how well do you study.
Computer science might be easy in a sense that all you do is coding, so you don’t need to switch your brain from math to physics, physics to EE, EE to math again. But words of caution, there are math that CS students don’t like - I heard a lot complains from my upperclassmen (those with very good GPA and are very good programmers).</p>
<p>So it’s totally up to the individual.</p>
<p>I think it is not a bad idea to get a major in math at all. There are amazing thing that you can do being a math major. I don’t know how many times my linear algebra professor has told us that.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. They seem to be trying to get more girls into math/science, etc. The Carnegie professors actually told her she like could get funding for graduate work, etc. </p>
<p>At her current school, it was by chance she met one of the CS professors and he talked to her about the CS program, etc. and she happened to hit it off with several of the teachers. She thinks maybe it is a sign. I guess the beginning computer science for ENGS majors and CS majors is somewhat different, so she is trying to determine which way to go… either way, she should be able to make a living (parents dream).</p>
<p>Computer Science doesn’t use as much Physics as Engineering. Also, the physics in Computer Science is mostly about electrical properties, while the physics in engineering is more about fluid properties.</p>
<p>“If you are an engineering student, a minor in math is pretty easy. Usually 2 or 3 more classes. For computer science, at our school one will need either 3 or 4 courses to complete a math minor, if I am correct (because as a engineering student I need only 2 more - computer science is one short)”</p>
<p>Depending on the classes you take for flexible electives (as opposed to free electives), you could have a math minor automatically built into a Computer Science major, which is something which can’t be accomplished with any other Engineering major. (Sorry, I forgot to add “Where I go”)</p>
<p>Personally, I didn’t even realize how much I hated Physics until I took college Physics. I really really hate Physics. It sucks. I couldn’t major in anything that required Physics knowledge because I’ve dumped it all. It leaves me with Industrial Engineering, and Computer Science (which is in the engineering school here).</p>
<p>To actually answer you OP, I would recommend against majoring in a Physics intensive field if one hates Physics. There’s no reason why she can’t major in just Computer Science.</p>
<p>THat is what she is thinking…started classes and attended 2. Great teacher, but she just can’t stand the idea of staying in the class. She is stopping this week; will have to wait to take CS now, but much happier. Still in math though and will take CS next time around.</p>