<p>I have a few electives that I would like to use to learn some useful skills. I was wondering what are courses that are typically not built into the engineering curriculum, but that would be very beneficial to one aspiring to be an engineer, more specifically a civil engineer? This can be any sort of upper level math class, computer, humanities, communications, or any class like that, Thanks.</p>
<p>A computer programming class is useful. Doesn’t matter that much what the language is (as long as it isn’t too far out there) as you can easily pick up the syntax for any language once you know the basic idea behind programming. I used to use Fortran (I know I’m dating myself, but some legacy codes in Fortran still do exist), C, Visual Basic and Visual Basic for Applications (i.e… the macro language for Excel).</p>
<p>If not part of your CE course of studies, some materials classes can be useful. You might check out the Material Engineering department as well as the Architecture Department (if your school has one) for materials used in CE.</p>
<p>A basic circuits class (especially if it is for non-EE majors) can come in handy.</p>
<p>Upper level math classes aren’t particularly useful as almost all the math you need is covered by the time you finish your differential equations class.</p>
<p>If the branch of CE that ou are interested in has to do with buildings (as opposed to bridges, tanks, etc) then an architecture class on the subject would help.</p>
<p>Other than that, have some fun. I took a couple of photography classes that I found interesting and proved somewhat useful in my engineering career. You do need to photograph your work sometimes and it is good to know your way around the camera and various lighting scenarios.</p>
<p>Partial differential equations may be beneficial, too.</p>
<p>Partial differential equations was part of my differential equations class. So, I agree with boneh3ad.</p>
<p>taking up a second (or third, fourth, ect. for you polygots :p) language would also be worthwhile </p>
<p>The only non-engineering courses I took were Math, Econ, and Philosophy, and I think all of those are useful. Not because of direct skill learned used to gain income, but general every day use. </p>
<p>Technical writing would be helpful. It’s surprising how many reports engineers have to write!</p>
<p>Technical writing and communication.</p>
<p>Economics (general micro/macro) and engineering economics (may be offered by the industrial engineering department; may be included in your civil engineering courses anyway).</p>
<p>Social and ethical implications of science and engineering. I.e. to better understand why there are protesters outside the site of the construction project that you are designing (even though you may disagree with them).</p>
<p>I agree with the technical writing recommendation. Really, any class that makes you write a lot. Also, any class that requires public speaking can be helpful. Engineers are notoriously bad at public speaking. I’ve found that written and verbal communications skills are quite important to be promoted into engineering management. In my experience, once a level of technical competence is achieved, it is the better communicators rather than the stronger technical people who get promoted to management. </p>
<p>Intro economics or business classes.</p>
<p>I’m not sure that it is particularly helpful career-wise, but I really enjoyed a logic class I took from the philosophy department. </p>
<p>Tech writing is part of the standard curriculum at most schools now. Speech is also becoming increasingly popular as a mandatory class.</p>
<p>I took a mixed bag of useless and useful electives in undergrad. The most interesting electives were: Exotic propulsion, astronomy, and linear & abstract algebra. The useless ones being: arabic, film appreciation, and some other ones I can’t even remember, lol.</p>
<p>Perhaps also social and ethical implications of science and engineering, in order to understand why there are protesters around the site of a construction project that you are designing, and how political influence (in either government or business) is made to the extent that it matters in approving your project.</p>
<p>Finance, economics, business.</p>
<p>Thanks all, these were all really great suggestions!!!</p>
<p>My school’s curriculum actually already has an Engineering Economics class built in. I actually also love public speaking, probably because I use to do stand-up comedy and did street performing a few times for fun. Writing probably depends on what I’m writing about.
Would you guys say a history class that involves lots of writing be useful?
Would creative writing be a good class to take?</p>
<p>Take an entrepreneurial leadership or class that helps with public speaking and social prowess. I am not being flip- both my s’s are engineers, and their interpersonal skills have been as important as their technical skills in their career progression.</p>
<p>** crossposted with happyramen</p>
<p>Any English/literature, or history, or philosophy, or political science course that’s not an easy blow-off class–intro level courses don’t really count, and I think one ought to delve a little deeper. There are too many people in STEM who don’t understand the fundamentals and utility of humanities/liberal arts and, similarly, too many people in humanities/liberal arts who don’t understand the basics of STEM.</p>