Math and Science Classes for Environmental Engineering

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

Hey. I’m currently a high school sophomore in California who is thinking about majoring in Environmental Engineering, but I was wondering if it really fits what I want to do. I’m not a huge fan of math, particularly geometry or trigonometry, but I have done pretty well in math classes in the past (straight As). I’m currently in a math program at my high school that covers Algebra up through Pre-Calc in two years, so it’s definitely rigorous although we don’t get bumped grades, and I got an A- last term and a B+ this one (term grades at my school are the same as semester grades at other ones). I am planning to take AP Calculus BC in junior year, but I was wondering if taking AP Stats in senior year is a good idea (whether it will really stand out) or whether taking an additional science class (probably Advanced Biology, which is an honors class, or AP Physio) would be better.

I took regular Biology last year (since freshmen can’t take honors classes) and I’m taking Honors Chemistry next semester (which starts tomorrow), with plans to take Physics in junior year and AP Enviro. Science and Engineering in senior year. I just wanted to make sure that I’m on schedule to be a competitive applicant in terms of math and science classes or if I need to load up on more. At this time, I’m looking at Humboldt State, San Diego State, and Cal Poly, but I haven’t even looked out of state or at private schools yet so any advice on that would also be appreciated.

2

Math through precalculus (minimum) or calculus (if you can). More advanced math at a local college, like multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations, can fulfill the rest of the math requirements for many kinds of engineering, if you complete calculus as a high school junior.

Science including all three of biology, chemistry, and physics (they do not all have to be AP level).

3

" I’m not a huge fan of math" - That sends off warning bells in my head. Most engineering classes rely on a lot of math in the problem sets (homework). But you should take calc next year and see what you think.

4

Thanks for all of the advice. I do enjoy algebra and algebra 2 which is why I’m so conflicted because it isn’t that I don’t like math as much as that I have a hard time with geometry / trigonometry and I was just wondering if it’s possible to do engineering without something that critical. But I’m going to stick with math and science and see where it takes me.