Good Intro to Engineering class?

<p>I’m thinking about switching into an engineering major (don’t know which - most likely environmental or mechanical) and I was wondering if there were any good classes I should take, which could give me a good idea about what engineering is about?</p>

<p>I am currently enrolled in ENG 6 (but the teacher has some bad reviews). Would ENG 4 be a better alternative (wait-list for the class).</p>

<p>I’d appreciate any advice. Thanks!</p>

<p>The perfect course for you…
maybe it’s new because it’s not in the Engineering Catalog…
meets Friday at 1…
1 unit…
6 seats available as of today…
says it’s for freshmen only, but if you’re not a first-year, maybe you can talk your way in…</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

<p>ENG 001 - Nuts & Bolts (Intro to Engineering)
Weekly seminar introducing the differences and similarities among engineering fields and the work ethic and skills required for engineering. Includes presentations from each engineering department. Brief writing assignments are required to help deepen understanding. <strong>OPEN TO FRESHMEN ONLY</strong></p>

<p>^ Have you ever taken that class? I dunno anyone who has, but just wondering if it really does what it says it does.</p>

<p>ENG 6 is Matlab programming, and is mostly suggested for Aerospace. If you are any other kind I believe C++ (EME 5) is more recommended for your lower div programming class.</p>

<p>Neither class really does justice to the engineering major as a whole, but I think ENG 4 would be a better starter for you as it is on a broader topic. You learn about mostly CAD software like Autodesk Inventor. Drawing your ideas and then translating them into images on the computer and dimensioning them.</p>

<p>I don’t think a programming course would be the best introduction to engineering. Statics seems more like the archetypal engineering course to me, but I haven’t taken ENG 4, which sounds like it could be a decent introduction as well.</p>

<p>Just FYI, Davis has no undergraduate environmental engineering major. Your best option for that line of study would be either the civil or chemical engineering majors.</p>

<p>@cutieflutie08</p>

<p>I took a very similar course at CC. It was a very good look at the career of engineering. The premise was that 40% of engineering students change major, and the course wants you to take a hard look at the major before getting 2 years down the road, ruining your GPA, and making everything hard on yourself.</p>

<p>@OP Here’s my opinion. Most people have it backwards. They get into a major that sounds interesting without knowing about the career. Learn about the career. The course is one way. Once you do that, you have to ask yourself 3 questions. 1) Are you at least very good at Math? Engineering is a combination of design inspiration and applied math perspiration. Almost all the courses for 4 or 5 years are applied math. 2) Are you willing to work very hard in school, perhaps 60 hours per week, putting aside other activities and some fun? 3) Are you sure you won’t need a 3.5 GPA for professional schools or a 3.0 for certain scholarships, jobs, or internships?</p>