So I’m going to take mechanical for undergrad and aerospace for grad. Which plan should i focus in? I heard it’s turbo-machinery. I’m in CSULB and going to UCLA
How about focus on one that interests you. There is no right answer. There are wrong answers, however. Going down a path because someone says it’s right even if that’s not what interests you is the wrong answer.
Turbomachinery is one option. So are various fields in aerodynamics, materials, structures, dynamics, controls, combustion, or any other field common to both mechanical and aerospace engineering (which is practically all of the fields of each).
Well im really interested in missiles. Is there a plan for it?
Sounds like Rocket Science to me.
Missiles use a lot of the branches in their design. Aerodynamics, controls, materials, etc. You need to explore what you like in that regard before committing yourself to graduate school.
Also, as many have said here before, don’t assume that you will go to grad school. Many who think they will, don’t. Plan your UG so you’d be happy with it as a stand alone degree, but also applicable to what you think now that you’ll want to do in graduate school. Good luck!
Future graduates go to those job fairs, see the delicious carrots dangling there and all thoughts of graduate school seem to start melting away…
Is it a good idea to do mechanical UG and minor in aerospace in UG itself so that grad school is not compulsory as some have suggested here?
Just take aerospace electives. There is no need to set up an actual minor. Focus your classes in the area you wish to work and that should be fine. It worked just fine for me. I am not even sure if my school offered an aerospace minor. I just took a bunch of extra fluid mechanics classes.
I think a minor can be useful in that it’s a formal way of conveying your interest in a certain area. It’s certainly not necessary to get a minor, but I wouldn’t throw it out as being a useless thing either.
If you do choose to get one though, make sure you sit down beforehand and really decide what sounds interesting to you. Don’t just pick one because you’re running out of time, or are unsure. If you are unsure, don’t minor in anything.