<p>Heres the deal currently I'ma engineering transfer major who was accepted into U of I Champaigns mech engineering prog but after taking Statics/dynamics and Circuits this semester i'm having second thoughts about my major. I find that I enjoy doing circuit problems more so than the other probs from the other class. My guess is since it's more math oriented I find it more interesting but the deal is this semester for circuits there is no way I can pass the class w/ a A or B; the highest grade I can get is a C (this is mostly due to time constraints and in the other class so far i'm getting a high B *** right yea..) but just wondering if there have been cases where upper universities reject transfer students after accepting them based on the students last sem g.p.a? Also what exactly can a math major do besides finance? I'm thinking of double majoring in engineering/math is this a good idea or just absurd, any U of I students in particular wish to comment on this b/c they would know the rigors of Champaign? The type of engineering is either going to be mechanical or maybe electrical if they let me retake circuits over there. I want to do this b/c math has always been a strong point (would barely go to class for calc 2 or 3 except for quizes and tests and still got a B and A, diff equ same situation got an A) I figure this would be cool b/c on the math exams I was always like the first ones done and was always on top of the problems. Physics however is a diff story although I like to do the problems and figure out a soln I am not that fast in doing so in both Physics 1 & 2 got C's. Why am I doing engineering then, because i like to solve problems that deal with everyday life in general and feel satisfied when I have answered a tough prob. Any insight on the question would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I doubled majored in Computer Engineering and Math at UIUC, so I can answer your questions. I'm curious how you can enjoy the material yet get a C in the circuits class. Your admission probably won't be rescinded, but it's not a good sign that your grades are dropping. As for double majoring in math, that requires a minimum of 150 hours, so you'd have to spend at least an extra year at UIUC to finish up, maybe even more since you're a transfer student. And no offense, but getting a B and A in calc 2 and 3 from a CC does not indicate math being a strong point, at least from the perspective of a math or engineering major. The advanced math classes are very theoretical, and even those who got straight A's through calculus and differential equations struggle with real analysis and abstract algebra. For example, I was the only person to get an A in my abstract algebra class at UIUC (math 417). Finally, I would say that getting C's in physics 1 and 2 indicates a problem, because again, EE majors tend to do very well in basic math and physics, even those who end up struggling in EE classes.</p>
<p>Finance is an area where math majors can seek employment, although not the lone area. Nevertheless, in general demand to employ a math major is not going to be anywhere near as high as engineering graduates unless you major and do well in the math department's actuarial science program and pass the first couple of actuary tests by or at the time of grauduation, in which case demand for your services will likely be higher than most engineering programs. Employment chances can also be improved by taking the computer science minor or concentrating on applied math or statistics (and if you are going to concentrate on statistics you should give consideration to the actuarial science program). </p>
<p>It is difficult if not impossible to make any recommendations. It sounds like you have recently come in as a transfer from a community college or other college and have been hit with the reality that UIUC's engineering programs are a bear in comparison to anything you did before. ECE 205 (the circuits course I assume you are taking now) is noted for producing a lot of C's and lower. However, having a C in physics 2 and ECE 205 is, as noted above, not a positive sign for an EE major (a lot of mechanical eng majors take their C in ECE 205 and then are glad they don't have to do a course like that again). Your string of math grades indicate potential success in math but above comments are correct that those grades in the lower courses are not necessarily an indication for success in upper math courses. You need to do some soul searching and possibly seek out your advisor to decide what direction you are going.</p>
<p>I think he's a sophomore who's taking circuits and statics/dynamics now and is going to UIUC this fall. ECE 205 is for ME, CS, and other engineeirng majors, while ECE 110 is for ECE majors.</p>
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but just wondering if there have been cases where upper universities reject transfer students after accepting them based on the students last sem g.p.a?
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<p>I doubt that they would rescind your admission. On the other hand, they could simply flunk you out entirely. I've seen quite a few engineers at various schools flunk out of not just engineering, but out of the school altogether.</p>
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Also what exactly can a math major do besides finance?
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<p>I don't have any information on UIUC math students, but you can look at the employers of Berkeley math students and what jobs they get hired for.</p>
<p><a href="http://career.berkeley.edu/Major/Math.stm%5B/url%5D">http://career.berkeley.edu/Major/Math.stm</a></p>
<p>Sakky when you say you've "seen quite a few engineers at various schools flunk out of not just engineering, but out of the school altogether" was this due to the students grades after they were admitted or before they even started? I am a sophmore at the moment in CC, the reason circuits is going really bad is b/c i'm taking 18 credits along with 16 hours of work not to mention all the other stuff like sports and whatnot. I guess I am at fault for this but this has been the case for a year and a half now with the work and course load. Although I do not need spoonfeeding of the material the circuits course is going really fast, there is just no time to study at all. I guess the best thing to do now is to take the W in circuits and try to take it at UIUC might have to call my advisor and let em know whats happenin after spring break.<br>
As far as math goes I did get a 33 in the math portion back in the fall of 03 on the ACT, I guess I'll have to do some serious searching on what my chances really are in math but actuarial science seems like a good career but I would rather do something that I'm happy with as opposed to something that will just get me rich. That to me just seems like a waste of time ofcourse you'll make a lot of money with it but after taking about 7 exams, countless hours of studying, and having life pass you by when you should really be enjoying it is it really worth it? I've heard those exams are not easy at all but really hard. I dont know thats my opinion. Well appreciate everyones comments, right after spring break will have to talk with my advisor and someone from UIUC hopefully I get on the right track.</p>
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Sakky when you say you've "seen quite a few engineers at various schools flunk out of not just engineering, but out of the school altogether" was this due to the students grades after they were admitted or before they even started?
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<p>This was because of grades after they were admitted. Most schools require that you maintain a 2.0 GPA to avoid flunking out. Note, that 2.0 is only calculated with regard to the grades you get at that school - past grades at your CC don't count. It is very easy for engineering students to end up with less than 2.0's and therefore kicked out of the school. </p>
<p>Personally, I think this is a wrong-headed policy. I can understand kicking people out of the engineering major. But why do you have to kick the person out of the university entirely? It is well known that engineering is harder than many libarts majors, especially the creampuff libarts majors where you just need to have a pulse in order to pass (I exaggerate, but not a lot - there really are some ridiculously easy libarts majors out there where you can get very high grades for very little work). A lot of guys who flunked out of the university because of engineering could have done just fine in one of those cheesepuff libarts majors. Kick those guys out of engineering, but let them complete their degrees in one of those creampuff majors.</p>