<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I was wondering that if one disliked Physics I (Mechanics & Waves), would they hate mechanical engineering as well? How closely related are the two? Here is the curriculum for my Physics I course: "The basic laws and principles of Newtonian mechanics; oscillations and waves". So kinematics, dynamics, circular motion, angular/linear momentum, sound, moments of inertia, etc. In high school as well I really didn't like mechanics at all.</p>
<p>Similarly, would electricity & magnetism (Physics II) tell me if I would enjoy EE? Here is a list of courses with descriptions that I am/will be taking: <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=1O66kLTEvxF9AhCyigWDScEbeQdYAN4NExDxTb8wQc8JH6QZU-_QPtpPpAP3j%5B/url%5D">https://docs.google.com/open?id=1O66kLTEvxF9AhCyigWDScEbeQdYAN4NExDxTb8wQc8JH6QZU-_QPtpPpAP3j</a>
What courses that I enjoy would reflect well into an engineering discipline? I'm guessing:
programming -> software
electrical circuits and machines / E&M -> electrical
behaviour of liquids, solids and gases -> chemical
engineering statics -> mechanical or civil</p>
<p>Is this accurate? Thanks!</p>
<p>I would say, no. The intro physics courses give you an idea of basic principles and theory. </p>
<p>Your list is accurate. I jumped around different departments trying to figure out what I wanted to do before dropped out and joined the Navy.</p>
<p>IMO after the physics sequence, then you will find out if you hate a specific branch. If you hate statics, you will HATE mechanical engineering. If you hate Intro to Circuits then you will hate EE.</p>
<p>And I would say yes. It is called mechanical engineering for a reason - it is based on mechanics. If you hated your mechanics course, you will likely hate statics, dynamics, solid mechanics, mechanical design, fluid mechanics, and the likes.</p>
<p>From physics 1? </p>
<p>I wouldn’t think that at all. But then again, I took it in HS and I love physics…</p>
<p>Most mechanical engineering classes are all about setting forces equal to zero or moments or any number of things like that when you really boil it all down to its bare bones. Many examples in later courses will be illustrated using things like a spring-mass-damper system or a cart on a hill, only more complicated. If you hated it in Physics I, you probably won’t like it later.</p>
<p>Have you taken physics yet?</p>
<p>Physics I? I think of Physics I as Mechanical Engineering and Physics II as Electrical Engineering. Chemistry as Chemical Engineering. Programming as CS/Computer Engineering.</p>
<p>Depending upon where the thermal stuff is taught, you can actually go through a Mechanical Engineering classes without using anything from Physics II. If you did not like setting up Free Body Diagrams in Physics I, then you won’t like Mechanical Engineering. If you did not like the math associated with Physics I, then you will not like engineering in general. Physics I is far less math intensive than Physics II. You can get into some hairy math in upper level ME courses like Fluid Mechanics, but my feeling it is nothing like the EE equivalent Electromagnetics (equivalent meaning keystone Junior level courses). The Physical Chemistry and Fluid Mechanics courses with reactions in Chemical Engineering is also hairier than the equivalent ME courses in my opinion.</p>
<p>Mechanical Engineering may well be the best choice for you. Let me explain.</p>
<p>The vast majority of Physics I is spent at a desk trying to envision these newly explained concepts and wondering if your application of mathematical equations in any way corresponds to something in the real world. Most of the mech Es I know work in the real world with things you can touch: elevators, pool covers, bearings, conveyors, CNC machines. Personality wise, they are more likely to be the hands-on type. Electrical engineering is more likely to mimic your experience with Physics, sitting at a desk working the applied math.</p>
<p>In any case, you will need a better grasp of Physics I. In Physics II, they will explain how electrical and mechanical systems are governed by the same sets of equations and the coursework will be similar.</p>
<p>Most of my mechanical engineering classmates do not work with hands-on things and are not fitting the mold of what you just described. Most are applying math/physics-based design techniques to a product they could go see on the manufacturing floor if they want but are not putting together themselves.</p>
<p>To earn the degree in the first place you better have a good handle on Physics I because it is the basis for most ME classes.</p>
<p>I don’t mean to indicate that the job itself is hands-on. Engineering is not. But the output produced is visually apparent, with more moving parts and observable phenomena. Think Kobie Boykins and the Mars Rover. The friend who designs bearings still sits at a desk all day, but the end product is still tactile. My output as an EE has no moving parts and can only be characterized by numbers, charts and graphs. If you can hear, feel, smell or taste it I have done something wrong.</p>
<p>Be that as it may, the underlying science behind mechanical engineering is that which is taught in physics 1. If you don’t like physics 1 and the study of forces on bodies and bodies in motion, you aren’t going to like mechanical engineering, plain and simple.</p>