<p>So I'm currently a HS senior and having a bit of a dilemma about the future. </p>
<p>My plan has always been to get a degree in EE, probably with a power specialization, with the hope that someday I can get a job relating to alternative energy. </p>
<p>I've always heard that EE is math intensive, but up until this year that has never scared me. I've always been good at math and I got a 5 on the Calculus AB AP test, but right now BC is kicking my butt. Trig integration and substitution and all the stuff that goes along with it is just leaving me out to dry. Is that math in EE along these lines and something I should be scared about?</p>
<p>Assuming that I end up going with EE as my major of choice (I'm applying to UT Austin and Notre Dame), is it possible to switch engineering majors halfway through? Say I get two years in and decide that I just can't do the work, would I be able to switch into a nother engineering degree that is more physics based (say Mechanical)?</p>
<p>First, don’t sweat a career dilemma at such a young age. College is supposed to be about an education and many students change their minds.</p>
<p>EE is probably one of the most math intensive majors out there and you’ll be dealing with a lot of differential equations, linear algebra and calculus. Don’t be scared, no one expects you have all the answers right now (otherwise why go to college) and you’ll be required to take the math classes to build a strong foundation for your degree. </p>
<p>It is very possible to switch majors from engineering to another but ideally you want to switch before your 2nd year, where you took the “general core classes” and therefore won’t be far behind. Keep in mind that all engineering disciplines have a lot of math associated with them so don’t choose a major strictly off the curriculum with less math equations. </p>
<p>As a side piece of advice (that is very applicable to UT-Austin), it is typically better to get accepted as an engineer major rather than a natural science. The reasoning is that it is harder to transfer into engineering (slots and grades are a factor) than math or physics.</p>
<p>Most traditional engineering degrees require Calculus 1, 2 (which is BC), Multivariate, Differential Equations, and Linear Algebra. You’ll do as much math in MechE as in EE or another engineering discipline. If you got a 5 on the AB as a sophomore or junior, I’m sure you’re just being dramatic. Practice makes proficient. I got a C+ in Algebra II and a 5 on the BC exam. Forming college-level study habits, for your college “level” courses really is key.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry; a lot of people that go into EE aren’t math whizzes so you won’t be the only one struggling. I kind of just learned as I took classes, despite not being the best at math in high school. I will say, however, that mathematics was taught a lot better in college, but that probably depends.</p>
<p>^ I agree, from my limited experience. I TA/tutor an Integrated Calculus 1 class, (has a whole lot of pre-calculus) and the algebra is just so much more challenging than anything I’ve ever taken. They’ll definitely be more prepared for higher-level mathematics than I ever was. I find myself learning a lot, while pretending to explain things to others. Trigonometry is tedious, always has been, and it’ll show up many, many, many times throughout your education. Spend a couple hours every night just doing trig. You’ll be thankful you did later on.</p>
<p>Above all, you should be familar with core concepts and foundations that will later populate your future classes.</p>
<p>Things I wished I reviewed</p>
<p>Basic derivative/integration and Limits (rules and formulas)
Matrix Math (algebra, few key definitions and maybe determinants/inverses)
Series: Taylor series will return from the dead to MESS your stuff up.
Trig: Identities mainly
Algebra: Factoring polynomials and finding roots</p>
<p>Dont sweat the math differences. They’re all math intensive. Saying it is more physics based is also a fallacy. Mech E is more mechanics related, EE more electrodynamics based, both are heavily represented in college physics. In fact, due to the solid state electronics, EE is probably more physics related nowadays (quantum mechanics). But now we’re talking semantics since all engineering is physics. As for math, its all the same. Physics just gets you the equations, you better know the math to know what to do with them. After required courses in 5 semesters of calc, a semester of linear algebra, and numerous numerical analysis, the math is drilled into your head. Don’t sweat it. The engineering courses are harder anyhow. I pulled dual major with math, the math classes were the easier parts of my schedule.</p>
<p>Wow. Thanks alot for the replies. Trig really is what worries me, but it sounds like it’s going to come up no matter what I end up doing. SO I guess that’s reassuring. </p>
<p>Just out of curiosity nshah… When you say don’t worry about a career right now I understand where your coming from. But if I don’t have a career plan how do I know what branch of engineering to major in? How would I know to major in say ME instead of EE?</p>
<p>When you are in high school, what college you choose is probably one of the biggest decisions in your lives. When you are college, your major seems to be the most important decision you make. </p>
<p>If you already have a career plan, that is great! Just don’t get to stressed out about NOT having one, many graduates aren’t completely sure what they want to do end up doing. At the end of the day your degree is just a degree and won’t dictate your career path. Sure, it might make an impact on your first few jobs but it won’t really stop you from getting your dream job, whatever it is. </p>
<p>I know a few guys who graduated with engineering degrees and worked for a few years and then suddenly realized that Medical school was for them. Once you get to college you’ll have a better idea of what a major really entails and you’ll be able to figure out what appeals to you. </p>
<p>I know this sounds cliche but give yourself time in college to figure out what you are really passionate about and in the long run you’ll probably be a lot happier.</p>
<p>There are a lot of people who major in engineering just because of the steady salary and job security (versus other majors)–couple years down the line they end up hating their jobs.</p>