Hello,
I want to major in engineering, but I have one problem. I strongly dislike computer science. I like the whole field of engineering besides the computer science aspect of it! At school, I take all the high leveled engineering courses, and manage to get high A’s. I have the option of taking AP compsci next year, but I find coding rather boring when compared to engineering. So, in the engineering field, is computer science essential in order to succeed?
More specifically biomedical engineering or environmental engineering majors
Pretty much all engineering programs require at least one computer science/programming course. It’s often only one or two, though.
Yes, usually there will be a computing for engineering course, often using MATLAB. Other engineering courses may use computers as a tool (rather than the main focus as in computer science and engineering).
@ucbalumnus @boneh3ad Do you guys know if engineering programs would most likely want students to go the full three years in Calculus? I have the option of doing Calc 3 senior year, but I prefer to do something else. However, if I can be excused for some classes in college then yeah ill do calc 3.
Engineering degree programs generally require 3 semesters of college calculus, including multivariable calculus (it seems common for high schools to expand each semester to a year long high school course).
If your high school calculus 3 course is not a college or dual enrollment course, then it may be difficult to get credit for it in terms of fulfilling degree requirements in college.
Look up the degree checklists or flowcharts for your intended engineering majors at the colleges you are interested in.
You’ll probably have to take at least 1 or 2 courses of comp sci in college. I will say, I have a degree in electrical/biomedical engineering and I ended up spending my entire career coding. It is a VERY good skill to have, in my opinion.
Almost every form of engineering is touched by computers somehow. Knowing a little about coding is therefore very useful. As stated above, most engineering programs will require at least one programming class.
While learning coding for coding’s sake can be boring, coding to make a useful program that will simplify your work can be quite fun.
For any non-computer science branch of engineering, they’re going to cover the calculus series and differential equations at the minimum. I’d take that calc 3 class whether it’s for credit or not. If it is, you can knock out a core class for free in a slowed-down, low pressure high school setting. And even if it isn’t, it will just make your 1 semester class in college a breeze as you go over material you’ve already learned.
As far as computer science, 1 or 2 classes are in the degree plan for every engineering major - they’re usually pretty basic and definitely valuable to know. Matlab keeps popping up in different undergrad classes, but the stuff you have to do with that is usually simple.
If you really don’t want to do CS, study hard for the AP class and see if you can test out. But honestly, don’t write it off until you’ve really tried it, and that may take more than once. I never was interested in programming, and when I took AP Comp Sci in high school I pretty much just went through the motions. Didn’t really learn a thing all year and got a 3 on the test, so I ended up having to retake it in college. That time, I ended up with a phenomenal professor who could really teach down to that intro-course level, and some great classmates who made the class fun to take. I engaged in that class and put in the extra work, and ended up doing really well. I walked out the second time around with a much stronger grasp of the material and a lot better view towards programming. It was probably the best college course I’ve taken. In the end, I’m actually glad I failed that AP test.
Anyway, what I’m saying is go into that class with an open mind, and struggle to learn the material when the going gets tough instead of kicking it into neutral like I did. The rules and nuances for syntax, loop lengths, classes, etc can be confusing and kind of irritating at first, but everything becomes a lot easier to do once you get them down.
If your school offers MATLAB, take that one. MATLAB is easy, easier than C, C++, Fortran, Java, Oracle etc.