Math related majors (architecture?)

College Majors Architecture Major
1

<p>Hi, I'm currently a junior in High School and I'm interested to major in math related majors and I came down to 3 choice.</p>

<ol>
<li>Architecture</li>
<li>Engineering (Software Engineering)</li>
<li>Accounting</li>
</ol>

<p>Well, I'm debating on becoming an architect because i heard it's a respectable career. I'm a math person, but I figured out that in order to major in architecture in college, most colleges look for art portfolios.</p>

<p>Although I've never taken an art class in high school, I can draw really well because I'm artistically talented. </p>

<p>So my final question is..</p>

<p>Does being an architect pursue more of mathematical approach? or more of artistic approach? </p>

<p>And any comments for other math related majors (engineering, accounting)?</p>

<p>Thank you so much!!</p>

2

<p>As a former Civil Engineer with a minor in Architecture, current Software Engineer & Man Machine Interface Engineer, and parent of an Architecture student, let me attempt to answer…</p>

<p>If you’re a math person, you won’t be seeing much of that in Architecture. If at all. Some colleges have some math - DD’s has it as a surprise required elective :slight_smile: - mostly to prepare Arch students for courses in Structures and the like. </p>

<p>Software Engineering, well, a lot of people - myself included - tend to agree with the definition given by Dijkstra… “Software Engineering is how to program if you cannot”. I’ll get to that in a second.</p>

<p>Accounting, well, I’ve only taken a single course in accounting and if you’re the creative type you will be lucky to last a semester. The words “Creative” and “Accounting” evoke some rather strong mental images…</p>

<p>Software, again, contrary to popular belief, needs very little math. If you’re solving numerical problems, data analysis, and the like, maybe a little, but not much else. What typical ‘Software Engineering’ people do is mostly collect requirements, prepare designs, write lots of documents, manage projects, and if there’s any time left, write code. </p>

<p>Interestingly enough, there are a lot of common areas between architecture and programming (let’s not call it software engineering :-)). Both are great if you’re creative, can think abstractly, and can see the big picture as well as the little picture. Both require you to write or document lots, to talk to people and essentially translate what they need into working code or blueprints. In both cases you’re also not limited by expensive lab requirements or equipment to do your job. A top of the line CAD workstation or software development workstation is all you need. </p>

<p>Are the two areas so different? maybe, maybe not. Maybe you can focus on computer graphics and put some of that math and creativity to use. Or specialize in the Man-Machine Interface and spend half your time designing the interfaces of products or gadgets (which is what I do) Or maybe you can focus on Architectural Engineering which needs lots of math and creativity…</p>