Not good at math, can I still become a engineer?

What do you define as “not good at math”?

You’ll have to survive Calc 1-3, Differential Equations, and possibly something else like Linear Algebra, as well as having to apply those skills in things like fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, etc.

IMHO it depends on what the problem is.

My kiddo was not so great at the algebraic side of math, but he is great with conceptual reasoning, logic, etc. Ironically the higher he has gone in math the easier it has gotten for him.

He doesn’t do well with stuff that relies heavily on memorization (times tables, algebraic steps, etc.). But he loves Calculus 3. :confused:

@bodangles well math isn’t my favorite subject. As for having a career in engineering, it will be quite nice since they can design cars, airplanes, etc. Even so, do they have to use most of the math you listed within the career?

You probably eventually use less than you learn in class. But in order to get to the career you have to get through the four years of math and science first. The math requirements will definitely weed people out. Math’s not my favorite subject either, though, and I’m doing fine, so it’s possible.

@PharmacyStudent partly depends on the type of engineering (since “engineering” is an extremely vague term).

For fields such as aerodynamics and aerospace engineering (as you hinted with designing cars and airplanes), yes you will need plenty of math, including the subjects bodangles listed.

If you are trying to learn algebra by memorization then you’re doing it wrong.

^^that’s how I did it! :slight_smile:

“(since “engineering” is an extremely vague term)” - Engineering course sequences are not all vague. They are regimented and very similiar across ABET accredited programs. After graduation, there is a great variety of jobs. But you need to survive the academics. (In my case, I found the intense coursework a lot harder than my jobs.)

@MITer94 I am thinking to do mechanical engineering.

Why do you want to do engineering if math isn’t a favorite subject?

@PharmacyStudent : what math are you currently taking, what year are you in, what grade are you making in that class?
Math is foundational AND one of the weed out subjects in engineering .

@MYOS1634 I am a freshman and Calculus 1 will be my next math class. I have an A in Pre-Calculus and would like to keep it the same.

I see that math is a weed out subject, are there anything else besides math?

Freshman in college? (just checking you’re not one of these CC geniuses who’s taking calculus in 9th grade and wondering why it’s harder than they thought).
Calculus 1 in college is significantly harder than Precalculus, because precalculus is considered a remedial/easier math class.
Weed out subjects for engineering… basically everything you take your first year. You can take a class, get a 55%, and be above the class average.

Weed out classes just separate those with horsepower and drive from those who lack it. In no way should you assume that because the “weed out” classes are in the first year that the heavy lifting will be over. The ME curriculum (all engineering for that matter) is hard, period, for almost everyone, even the very talented. Very, very few coast through subjects like thermodynamics and fluid mechanics without lots of sweat.

Tbh anything can be a weed-out. Some people realize in Physics 1 that they’re unlikely to succeed. Some people realize this in DiffEq. For a friend of mine it was Heat Transfer, junior year.

Strictly speaking, a 'weed out’class, in the common sense, isn’t just a hard class - it’s a hard class where the grading is purposely designed to make a segment of the class fail.

Engineering is tough.
@Pharmacystudent4 : are you in pre pharmacy, pre engineering, in high school?

oops, @PharmacyStudent , no “4”

@MYOS1634 Yes, I am a freshman in college. Back then I was considering to go to pharmacy school. After shadowing some pharmacists around the area, I don’t think I can see myself in that career. As of now, I’m looking at other options.

If you’re in precalculus Spring freshman year, it means you’ll start engineering sophomore year and thus will not graduate in 4 years: are your parents able to afford the extra year?
What’s your stem background (ie., AP bio, AP chem, AP Physics 1…?)
Why engineering?