<p>(I am really uncertain about which engineering path to follow, I definitely know that I want engineering, so I am trying to just explore as much as possible the different areas)</p>
<p>I am considering: ChemE, Civil and environmental E, EE and MechE.</p>
<p>I am not so interested in learning different computer languages (C+ / Java ect.) and I wanted to know which engineering major you actually have to learn programming. (These majors would probably be on the 'cons' part for me). Do Electrical engineers have to learn this?</p>
<p>Another question, if I decide to major in chemical engineering, and decide to become a biomedical engineer, would that be a good major to enter this field? </p>
<p>I am reading some threads which discuss the difference of MechE and EE, but I have to admit I am still confused about these two majors. </p>
<p>(I wish to do something (career wise) which would benefit people that are in need, I already know a lot about civil engineering, however I am really loving everything that I am reading about biomedical engineering, and ChemE/MechE/EE could lead me to a job at a hospital or something 'community' oriented.
Another part of me gets really excited about EE, as I would be able to create many different things including not only the entertainment however health care creations.) </p>
<p>So yes, I am really confused about the future. Please offer some insight, or experience if possible. That would really really help me! I am going to college this Fall as an undeclared engineering major. :D
Thanks for reading all of this, if you got to here hehe :)</p>
<p>While knowing a computer programming language would be a nice thing to put on your resume, you only ever need to know them for computer and software engineering. Depending on some schools (like berkeley) you will have to start off with some computer programming classes along with your electrical engineering major, but not all schools require that.</p>
<p>Sorry I can’t answer the bioengineering question for you. The difference between an electrical engineer and an mechanical engineer while working on the job, is the electrical engineer will design the wiring for something, and the mechanical engineer will design the components. ie: the electrical engineer would create the wiring and led screen for a modern phone, the mechanical engineer would design the casing and inner mechanisms.</p>
<p>You can help others no matter which engineering major you choose. Engineering is, in essence, the field of innovation for the betterment of human quality of life. Civil, mechanical, electrical, environmental, biomedical…while the extent to which you help others might depend on the company you work for, each field has the opportunity.</p>
<p>(Edit: just another example, a friend of mine is an electrical engineer who works in the medical field in designing medical equipment for artificial limbs, heart monitors and other equipment.)</p>
<p>jrairship is right! Civil engineers can help the community, too! Right now, we’re designing a large hospital in Maine. My husband went on a missions trip to the Dominican Republic a few years ago, and ended up designing the roof for an unfinished church/community center. The original roof design was too expensive, and his wood truss design was much more affordable. He convinced a local company to donate the truss and shipping. Last month, he went down again to help with the construction of a school building. The guys were using concrete that was way too wet, and he taught them how to use a slump cone.</p>
<p>jrairship - thank you for the response! I am getting a better view of what EE and MechE really do, thanks for giving me the example, I don’t think I’ve ever read it so clearly really. Do MechE design (in the sense of making the ‘looks’ of the product, not the actual structre, which the EE does) things and organize the structure of what the EE does? </p>
<p>MaineLonghorn - Thanks for the answer too!! Something that really draws me to civil engineering is the fact that I will be able to contribute to the living situations of people in need, and really make the society benefit for a better living standard (I am an international student actually, and I live in a developing country, there is a lot of poverty here and it just makes me really excited to know that I could possibly be a part of something that would help them lead a happier life)… Your husband sounds truely amazing, definitely reflects the best aspects of civil engineering, this is going on my pros list…
The only thing really holding me back from civil is that I don’t want to miss the ‘sciency’ things, I really love biology/chemistry… Is there a correlation between bio/chem and civil engineering??</p>
<p>This is just anecdotal evidence, but most people I know that are have completed ChemE degrees that wanted to “help people” are disheartened by the fact that their best job prospects are with petroleum and chemical companies.</p>
<p>There is also most likely going to be an Engineers without Borders or similar organization at your university that you can get involved in, regardless of your major.</p>
<p>I’m in an EnviroE program, and I’m happy with my choice. As far as developing countries, their quality of life benefits most immediately from civil & environmental engineering. That doesn’t mean however, that you can’t help with another engineering major.</p>
<p>I found mechanical engineering to be the most “useful” across all disciplines, but the subject matter bored me to death, so I switched to civil/environmental.</p>
<p>“Do MechE design (in the sense of making the ‘looks’ of the product, not the actual structre, which the EE does) things and organize the structure of what the EE does?”</p>
<p>Well the mechanical engineer might start with the overall phone design, but the electrical engineer also needs to be part of the design process, because if the mechanical engineer’s design can’t allow for the electrical engineer’s work to adequately wire and power the phone then they have a problem. Also, the mechanical engineer does more than just design looks, they create the structure of the mechanical components, such as the metal casings and keys. And the project manager makes sure that both sides correlate.</p>
<p>yayy thanks cc’ers!! This really helps a lot. I think I’m going to explore these majors during freshman year, but I think I am more inclined to major on either civil and environmental engineering or electrical engineering.
I love everything I read about these two majors, and by the simple fact that I won’t have to be doing any programming to become a good electrical engineer makes me really like it. </p>
<p>@chasely I checked out the organizations at my college and they indeed do have engineers without borders, I am definitely going to join!!!</p>
<p>Since your university will likely have a similar or identical freshmen engineering core (Physics 1 and 2, Calc 1 and 2, Chem 1 and maybe 2) you really don’t have to make any decisions until your sophomore year. Since you’ve pretty much indicated interest in a broad area of fields, I would say just give it a year and you will have a better idea. Before going to college I wanted to do EE, quickly decided on Civil, followed by Material Science, but now having completed my freshmen year I’m set up for ChemE in the fall. The first week of general chem 1 i hated it with a passion and just knew i was going to fail, 9 months later I’m through with Chem 1 and 2 with As and I’m majoring in ChemE. Just goes to show how much a year of college can change your mind. </p>
<p>Basically your freshmen year SHOULD give you a broad taste. Chances are you’re going to end up hating at least one class (As long as you don’t hate math with a burning passion, it not being your favorite subject and still doing well is one thing, however, if you absolutely hate it and do poorly, engineering may not be a good choice). If you find you like chem but not so much physics, ChemE and Material Science may be a good choice (more so ChemE). If you hate Chem and love physics, MechE and Civil are likely excellent choices. You may not get as strong of a taste of EE, but your physics course should cover at least some electricity and magnetism. </p>
<p>As for Biomedical Engineering, that’s a very different major from ChemE. Biomedical Engineering has much more in common with mechanical engineering. I believe many people get the wrong idea with Biomedical. If it is biology you enjoy and want to work with from an engineering perspective, then ChemE is the obvious choice, followed by Material Science.</p>
<p>In my school ALL engineers had to take a basic programming course, but only Comp Eng and Comp Sci were required to go beyond that. </p>
<p>As to the divide between ME and EE, they quite often work together, with the ME’s handling structures, moving parts, heat distribution, etc, while the EE’s handle … all the eletrical and electronic components. As to which one is in charge depends a lot on the product - I work on electronic systems, so EE’s have the lead roles in my company. I knew a guy who worked for General Motors, and their design teams were ME led, as the mechanical components were the most complex and important parts of the system.</p>
<p>For that matter, almost all disciplines of engineering intersect at times. EE’s and ME’s are among the most versatile, but if you look at major project design teams they often include a wide variety of engineers.</p>