<p>Hi. I am a current applicant to numerous colleges and have yet to receive any decisions. On my applications, I put down undecided for all the colleges I applied to. However, I am leaning towards the engineering field. A major reason I did not put engineering as my major is that my math and science grades were low throughout high school due to my own carelessness. Most of the colleges I applied to have an applied math program in the same department as the undecided major. For example, UCLA has undecided L&S and applied math L&S. From what I have heard it is not too difficult to declare, or switch majors within the college you get into. However, it is extremely difficult if not impossible to switch into the college of engineering. I was wondering if applied math has similar courses to an engineering major such as mechanical or aerospace? Will applied math still give me the same opportunities as engineering? Thank you so much for all your help.</p>
<p>I can tell you for a fact that a mathematics major will be very different from an engineering major. Easiest way to see the differences is to go to the school’s website and compare the individual curriculums for the specific majors. You’ll see that by your 3rd yr your classes will be completely different in each major. I would say both
Majors have good opportunities but not nearly the same.</p>
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<p>My friend, who is interested in aerospace, is doing applied math. He was engineering (engineering physics), but our Differential Equations professor convinced him that applied math was a better option. She came from the aerospace field and apparently has a really good background in it. The only thing is that he thinks that he will need to go for the full PhD where as with engineering the opportunities are there right out of a BS.</p>
<p>This is all anecdotal though so your road may vary.</p>
<p>My son is studying applied mathematics because he wants to become an actuary. The pay is supposed to be excellent, and the work is not as stressful as engineering. We’ll see!</p>
<p>As far as job opportunities, it depends on the specific job/position. I think you already know about math majors in software engineering so I won’t go into that. For other engineering-related jobs, it really depends on the skill-set needed. Sometimes you will see engineering job postings that ask for engineering OR math OR physics. </p>
<p>Let’s say that you will be conducting optimization methods applied to some engineering project. A math major (with operations research background) would be considered as well as the engineering major. Maybe if you the area is in EE and the project needs someone with computational electromagnetics background, then a math or physics major would also be considered.</p>
<p>Depends on the skill-set needed.</p>
<p>Systems engineering is another area than many math majors go into.</p>
<p>We have a few applied physicists and mathematicians in our company, but it takes a long time for them to get fully integrated. At the beginning they are usually assigned in roles supporting the engineering staff, helping them with the calculations and theoretical underpinnings - even if the prototype works we often need the mathematical proof that is should, to satisfy management and the customer. Over time they can acquire enough hands-on experience to compensate for the lack of engineering coursework, and move directly into engineer roles. In many cases this can actually serve them better in the long term, as their skills are more valuable at higher levels of design - my immediate boss is listed as an engineer, but has a PhD in physics.</p>