I want to major in Materials Engineering because It interested me a lot after I did some research on it. Im taking a materials course right now and find the material (no pun intended) in the course interesting and want to learn more but the thing is I dropped calculus twice already and am wondering if engineering is right for me. Both times I could of done more to get a better grade but by the time I learned my lesson about how to study It was too late (my grade was too low to bring up). Im thinking about taking calculus 1 over the summer at a community college but now Im worried that I may struggle in calculus 2 which at my school is a really hard class. Im willing to work hard, go to tutoring and put in the effort but Im really nervous. I already am at the risk of taking an extra semester (9) and dont want to be that person who ends up screwed because he didnt know when to quit. For some reason Im really fixated on this major and want to continue, I cant even find another major I would rather do. I dont like business, and the other engineering disciplines would give me the same cross roads. It seems like the math classes are the only thing that are getting in my way. Also I had to take a lot of credits this semester (2 4 credit classes) and I dont really know if studying was my issue or time management. I just want advice on whether I should give up engineering or not.
Also to put some more context into my situation for my second attempt I did really bad on my first midterm (which in my opinion was easier than the second) and then I realized I had to work harder so I spent more time studying and scored higher on the second midterm but still not as high as I wanted.
what college do you attend? What are the requirements for the materials engineering degree, do you need to take differential equations, or just Calc1, 2 and 3? Calculus 3 is mulitvariable calculus and its harder than Calc 1 and 2.
If you do not need Calc 3 to graduate, you should be able to get a tutor and get through Calc 1 and 2.
As far as in the field, materials engineers often work with equipment, getting it to work well in a factory. So the amount of calculus needed is minimal on the job. Statistics is more important for process engineering, which is developing the processes to manufacture a certain material. Other materials engineers may work with plastic technology, so understanding chemistry is important. How are you doing in physics? Some materials scientists work in measurement sciences, and that requires some physics background. So they are taking measurements of materials, using an electron microscope, or using an atomic force microscope or an x ray diffraction machine.
@Coloradomama I do need calc 3, but a condensed version of it, basically there is a 2 credit class, and 4 credit class for calc 3 I only need the 2 credit class, but I do need differential equations.
Im doing better in Physics than I am in calculus, but I do study harder for physics.
Why would I be able to pass calc 1 and 2 with a tutor but not calc 3?
You should be able to pass any class, with enough studying. Calc 3 is much harder than Calc 1 and 2 at many schools. What college are you attending? That might help me understand what type of materials science major you are trying to earn. Some colleges are focused on metallurgy and that would lead to very different jobs than a school that focuses on electronic materials, semiconductors, which would lead to a job at say Intel or Global Foundaries.
Some schools offer polymer sciences which is very chemistry based.
@Coloradomama I attend Penn State, and also Im willing to work hard as hell for the grades, I feel like my difficulties are split into:
Studying, time management and the fact that I had to juggle physics and math in the same semester.
So, each of these math classes you need, Calc 2, 3 and differential equations build on each other. If you want to pass these classes, keep going. You can pass them. The actual use of this math is limited more to jobs like fluid dynamics which is more of a mechanical or aerospace engineering position. Materials engineering rarely uses that much mathematics, but all engineering colleges want engineers to pass all four math classes , good luck.
Every semester from here on out is going to be like that (multiple hard classes at once), so acclimate now!
Take calc 1 over the summer. Study hard. Don’t slack off. If you can’t do well with all of your attention focused on it, then maybe rethink engineering. But if you do well over the summer, come into calc 2 with a venegeance. Go to office hours, go to LionTutors, do all the homework, form study groups, anything.
Ok, I just saw you post. I agree physics and math in the same semester IS difficult. Penn State is a great school, do not give up. Penn State offers a comprehensive curriculum of classes in processing of semiconductors, ceramics and polymers. You will have great job options with a degree like this. Try to take one class in mechanical engineering design too, if you have time. Learn Solid works, it will come in handy later. Learn Java or C++ programming too. Materials engineers are often procuring equipment and getting it to work in a manufacturing setting. Some materials engineers are more on the business side
of procuring all the materials needed to build a product. Materials engineers also work on biomaterials, such as artificial skin, tissue engineering, or materials for artificial limbs.
Some materials scientists get masters degrees. Some get PhDs to work at the highest level in semiconductor clean rooms for Intel, Global Foundaries or Micron in Idaho, for instance.
If you are good mechanically and can figure out how complex equpiment works, that will go a long way in finding a job and keeping it.
The math and physics is the hardest part, the later classes, will be a little easier, although thermodynamics is another tough class you will be taking.
@Coloradomama I took Edesign already
@bodangles This is off topic but Im currently taking Physics 211 and was wondering if it would be a bad idea to take physics 212 over the spring semester next year (instead of the fall semester) or over the next summer.
If you have taken physics 212 could you let me know if thats a bad idea? Im asking because an argument against my plan might be that a break from physics might make me a little rusty in terms of solving physics type problems.
Is that because you won’t have the prerequisites in time? Generally you want to follow the recommended academic plan as closely as possible (http://www.matse.psu.edu/undergraduate/recommended-plan-up) but if math has put you behind, then it is what it is. Luckily it looks like 212 isn’t an entrance to major class for MatSE so taking it later might not be a problem.
That’s probably a good question for your advisor though.
In the meantime you could also be looking into places to take 140 over the summer. I took 230 at my local community college to lighten my sophomore workload and it was fine.