<p>Does it make sense to double major in civil (structural) engineering (as the primary major) and regional development? (which is in the College of Geography at the University of Arizona) I am also thinking about a minor in Physics but not sure... I have a lot of credit already from both AP and IB exams but is it worth the extra work if someday I want to be a land developer (and possibly start out working for a developing company right out of college)?
Thanks for any advice as my main interest is civil eng. but also very interested in development and physics (specifically astrophysics and relativity which I know is weird because it doesn't have to do with structures like civil and development do lol)</p>
<p>What is regional development at the University of Arizona? Is it a planning degree?</p>
<p>Just my two cents, FWIW…
The BS degree in regional development might be a good background for graduate planning degree, but land development in the sense that seems to interest you seems to be more of a business focus. The architecture college at UA offers a joint master’s in planning/MBA, which might be something for you to consider. There may be relevant grad programs at ASU, too.
Civil engineering might be a good background for planning and for land development, but I’m less certain about the relevance of a structural engineering emphasis, unless it might be a basis for a grad architecture program in urban design.
Land development: Doesn’t always seem to have been practiced with the best regional planning principles in mind. It raises questions from a sustainability perspective, especially in an environment like AZ. From a business perspective, real estate and new development doesn’t seem to be doing too well in AZ in the current economic climate.
A minor in physics is relevant to your interest in astrophysics and UA is a good place for that field. Other than satisfying your personal interest (which is a legitimate reason), I don’t think a minor would result in any employment options in astrophysics-related areas, especially as your engineering focus is not very related to those areas.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice zapfino! I think double majoring in civil/regional development and minoring in physics would be best for me but I have heard its really hard and a lot of work to double major and minor. BTW, would it be “dumb” for me to pass up on the opportunity to attend UT Austin or Cal Poly-SLO and go to UA instead ($20-$30k cheaper)?</p>
<p>And the regional development major at UA is a geography/planning (city/land) degree.</p>
<p>^Well, by all means compare the engineering curricula, consider where you might live after graduating, and which university is the best fit for you, but I don’t think the higher ranking of Texas is worth $20-30K more than UA. The opinion of others might differ on the potential enhanced value of a ug engineering degree from UT vs. UA or any potential bump if you choose to live and work in TX, so you can pose that question to them. Overall, Texas is considered a better university in engineering and other fields, especially if you ever switch fields, but again, I don’t know that its worth the difference in cost. I don’t know enough about Cal Poly-SLO, but I don’t think it’s better than the two schools, and it’s probably not known outside CA.</p>
<p>^ SLO blows UA at least out of the water for civil engineering (not sure how UT stacks up but I would have to imagine it’s a lot better too). </p>
<p>i lived in tucson a few years and it was seriously the worst city i’ve ever been.</p>