<p>Do schools allow some flexibility / customization within a particular degree's curriculum? I never tried to do this when I was in college years ago, so I do not know if it is even possible. (What better field, though, to allow for customization than engineering which is all about design, right?! :-) ) If this is possible, which degree would be the better foundation for designing a mechatronics-like program -- an electrical engineering degree with mechanical courses added in, or a mechanical engineering program with some additional electrical and computer courses thrown in? </p>
<p>Has anyone attempted to do such a thing with their engineering major? My son is interested in our state school NCSU which is strong in engineering (offering more than 18 branches of specialty) yet they do not offer a mechatronics program. This is quite disappointing as the idea of combining mechanical, electrical and computer is what seems most suitable to his interests. Rather than search outside the state for a school that offers mechatronics and have to pay tons more in tuition, we are wondering if attempting a modification is an option to pursue. He will have 18 transferable hours upon entrance as a freshman (from community college courses taken while in high school --core courses like Writing, Economics, Chemistry, History, etc...) which will allow him room for up to six extra classes to substitute in. So, any suggestions about this? Is it crazy to even think of asking an engineering advisor if majors can be customized by students -- where their degree would say EE or ME on the diploma but the courses taken over their four year period would look more like the accomplishments of an EGM (Mechatronics) major?</p>
<p>Again, main question -- Which foundation would be best to start with -- Mechanical or Electrical? Thanks for any advice provided.</p>
<p>Yeah, sometimes you can customize parts of your major. At my school, you can choose from preselected "depth sequences" (specialties) within each major, or invent your own. I'm sure it depends on the student, school, and advisor. Also, you can always just take interesting, educational classes for fun. Not every class needs to count toward graduation requirements.</p>
<p>I have no clue what foundation would be better to start with.</p>
<p>Often times departments will offer concentrations within their major which are open to their students. You should download a copy of the student handbook and see what they talk about in there.</p>
<p>You could also look at what various professors are working on in MechE and EE and see which seems to have more people doing what you're interested in.</p>
<p>As for foundations, it really depends on what he's interested in. Like, in robotics, you've got people from MechE, EE, and CS all working together on different parts of the system. No one is "better" than the other since each has its own design issues that need to be addressed. The best stuff is whatever you find most interesting. For example, if you want to design unmanned aircraft then I doubt you'd be interested in human-computer interaction problems.</p>
<p>I think NCSU does offer specialized mechatronics degree but you have to take the classes at the UNC-Ashville campus in Asheville, NC. This is separate from the regular engineering school in Raleigh. So you wont have access to the resources and labs on the NCSU campus. Campus life would be drastically different as well(small not well known liberal arts campus vs giant state university focused on technology). I believe the degree is an official NCSU degree though. </p>
<p>I am an EE student. This looks cool but i wanted a broader/more popular degree for wider range of opportunities. You can get involved in mechatronics with a regular EE/CpE or ME degree like RacinReaver points out.</p>
<p>You are correct about the Mechatronics program at UNC-A, but what you apparently don't know that is different now (starting this year) is that, unfortunately, it is no longer a joint degree with NCSU. NCSU is no longer affiliated with this program or puts their name on the diploma!! ( I sure don't understand what is up with that. -- If discontinuing the relationship with UNC-A, why wouldn't they at least bring Mechatronics home to the Raleigh campus too? It seems like it would be such a positive direction like their inclusion of bioengineering and other new fields)
We were excited about the possibility of pursuing the mechatronics program through this joint set-up with UNC-A until we got the distressing news yesterday that NCSU was out. Without access to the excellent facilities and well-equiped labs NCSU offers and that are necessary for a quality education, we are thinking it is not worth the risk...
Thanks for your desire to provide helpful information, though.</p>
<p>Okay, I think that his best bet would be to apply to a college that has allows interdisciplinary programs. Some schools allow you to essentially "create" your own curriculium in consultation with an advising committee. However, the only people I know who have done this have been in the humanities.</p>
<p>He might have a better chance with the above strategy by pursuing a MS degree, where they are sometimes more flexible with their requirments.</p>
<p>I know it's kinda late to chime in, but yes, we do have mechatronics here at NCSU (GO PACK). Here's a useful website that can probably give you some more useful information. </p>
<p>This seems like a very interesting degree that seems to fit me very well (I'm starting to think more than electrical from the descriptions and the fact that there is more physics and 'hands-on' work in it) but I wonder, would you be able to get a job with this type of degree? Would it have to be strictly mechatronics, or could you get any electrical/mechanical engineering job as well? What do you guys (and girls) think? </p>
<p>Also, I'll try to make it down to the career center during the week and find out some things (for your and my benefit)</p>
<p>"You are correct about the Mechatronics program at UNC-A, but what you apparently don't know that is different now (starting this year) is that, unfortunately, it is no longer a joint degree with NCSU. NCSU is no longer affiliated with this program or puts their name on the diploma!!"</p>
<p>4truth...are you sure about that? Is there an article or something about that you can provide for some info?</p>