<p>How does the college experience differ for science majors (chem, physics, biophysics) vs. engineering majors? Is one more difficult than the other? Does one have fewer electives?
better social life? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>i’d like to know this too</p>
<p>Engineering generally has fewer electives than hard sciences.</p>
<p>I would say that as far as overall difficulty goes, engineering and hard science are pretty much equivalent. If there is a difference, it’s probably that hard sciences make students think harder, whereas engineering makes students work harder.</p>
<p>If you compare Chemistry and Chemical Engineering for example, you will notice ChemE has a lot more math requirements depending on which school.</p>
<p>… what math does ChemE require that Chem doesn’t? Just curious.</p>
<p>yeah, although I don’t know anything about ChemE, Chem seems to need more math than ChemE to me</p>
<p>I’ve heard that physics is the toughest major around. You have to think hard and also have to study hard! BUt both science and Engineerig major has the same weightage. You can shift from physics to Engineering at grad school…I am trying to opt the same thing.!!
And both of them require hard math base, especially calculus, double integrals, Fourier transformation, Dirac equations and so on!!!</p>
<p>Engineering majors have to do a lot of group projects, especially during senior year. Sciences majors basically never have to do group projects.</p>
<p>“Chem seems to need more math than ChemE to me”</p>
<p>yea that’s why you really don’t know anything about ChemE. Do some research.
Most of the chemistry programs I’ve seen don’t require Linear Algebra, Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial DE, Probability and whatnot. Heck, some of them don’t even require Multivariable calculus which baffles me.</p>
<p>^ Hey, calm down.</p>
<p>At my institution, Chemistry requires three courses in Calculus, one in Differential equations, and one in Linear Algebra. This is actually one <em>more</em> course than is required by the department of Chemical Engineering… they don’t need to take Linear Algebra.</p>
<p>Note that the program is ABET accredited, so it has at least that going for it.</p>
<p>I’m not saying ChemE’s don’t do math methods in their classes, but I’m sure it’s the same in Chemistry anyway. I think the moral of this story is that any question like “which is harder” will depend on particular programs at particular schools.</p>
<p>In general, I stick to what I said initially. Of course, that will also depend on the school. Also, I will admit that I know Physics better than Chemistry, and know AeroE, MechE, ElecE better than ChemE, but I think it’s probably similar.</p>
<p>Hard science majors will tell you that they learn real science, while engineering majors learn jock science.</p>
<p>Engineering majors will tell you they learn relevant science, while hard science majors waste their time with pure theoretics.</p>
<p>There’s a kernel of truth to all of these, but what you need to note is that they are both difficult in their own ways. That is, one isn’t necessarily more difficult than the other. The main difference between majoring in engineering or hard science is career goals. </p>
<p>Do you want to go to grad school and become a researcher, or do you want to work in a firm?</p>
<p>Edit: In my experience, hard science majors (like myself) and engineering majors tend to have equally bad social lives. The most social time they get is study groups. This might be unique to my school, however.</p>
<p>there isnt as much of a difference. the difference in math comes from the fact that upper division classes require difference levels of math.
a chem major can get away with only going math in p chem (typically a 3rd year course)
a chem e still has to do loads of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and maybe the same physical chemistry class. all the time, things like differ eq comes up. its not just about the lower division math classes, but also the material covered in upper division classes</p>
<p>the main thing is that the sciences tend to be more broad and have the opportunity for electives. after graduation, ive seen chemical eng go into graduate school and science majors go do industry jobs.</p>
<p>“after graduation, ive seen chemical eng go into graduate school and science majors go do industry jobs.”</p>
<p>^isn’t it generally the other way around though?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>yeah, thats my point. most people think science majors go to grad school and engrs go to industry.
also consider: A. eventually, those science majors have to go to industry or something. not every science major can become a prof after grad school.
B. interestingly, my quantum chem TA was a chem engr at Berkeley.</p>
<p>"Engineering generally has fewer electives than hard sciences.</p>
<p>I would say that as far as overall difficulty goes, engineering and hard science are pretty much equivalent. If there is a difference, it’s probably that hard sciences make students think harder, whereas engineering makes students work harder". </p>
<p>A shockingly, oversimplified assumption from someone who supposedly excels in math.</p>
<p>Thread starter: ask an engineer- I’m sure many had buddies in science. Don’t take a group of know-it-alls hollow advice.</p>
<p>“A shockingly, oversimplified assumption from someone who supposedly excels in math.”
- What does my ability - or lack thereof - in math have anything to do with, well, anything? Yes, there is gross oversimplification involved, but that’s clear to anyone with a third-grade education. Perhaps if the OP wanted me to elaborate, s/he could have let me know. I would have been happy to expound on my meaning.</p>
<p>“Thread starter: ask an engineer- I’m sure many had buddies in science. Don’t take a group of know-it-alls hollow advice.”
- FYI, I am a double-major in the Engineering and Sciences&Math colleges at my institution, so I feel that I’m not entirely disqualified from answering this question. I have friends in several departments in both colleges and have talked about - in addition to experiencing first-hand - some of the differences. By all means, go talk to people you know in real life, but if you come to the forums to ask a question, by all means, listen to what we have to say. Most of us* are real people with something to say.</p>
<ul>
<li>Except the guy who posted this. I would amend his line as follows:</li>
</ul>
<p>Thread starter: ask anybody you want, preferably several people. Don’t take a single know-it-all ■■■■■’s advice.</p>
<p>well you see, physics majors drive like this <em>flails arms wildly and accidentally honks on the horn</em></p>
<p>and engineering majors drive like this <em>puts on shades, leans back and starts drivin’ the car</em></p>
<p>“At my institution, Chemistry requires three courses in Calculus, one in Differential equations, and one in Linear Algebra.”</p>
<p>@AuburnMathTutor, where do you go to school? Just wondering.</p>
<p>^ Auburn University. The ChemE program is ABET accredited, for what it’s worth, and without going too much into the quality of the Chem program… it seems like the courseload is comparable to at least one other school’s, at least inasmuch as Auburn’s program requires all the same courses and some additional ones.</p>
<p>^Oh haha I should’ve guessed from your nickname. Well I see.</p>