<p>Don't know how many prospective engineers there are on CC, but if there are any who have questions I'd be willing to answer them. I'm a freshman biomedical engineer at NU this year. I can answer most engineering related questions plus questions on residential life/social scene. Try to avoid questions on your chances, as I don't work in the admissions office and I can't tell you what exactly NU is looking for.</p>
<p>So, any prospective engineers, here's your chance to ask questions!!</p>
<p>I'm planning on majoring in biomedical engineering. What do you think of the program at NU? How is the workload? The professors?
Not really engineering related, but what do you think of the quarter calendar at NU? I feel that 10 weeks or so is too short of a time for a course.</p>
<p>chickenlegs:</p>
<p>I feel that the program at NU gives freshmen a lot more experience in the engineering field than at other colleges. There are two freshmen engineering sequences: Engineering Analysis and Engineering Design & Communication. The first is basically an overview of the basics in the engineering discipline, while the second gives you first-hand experience as an engineer and how an engineer thinks. You probably won't take any BME classes until your sophomore year, although I know of one freshman who is taking a BME class this coming spring quarter.</p>
<p>The engineering workload is probably the most difficult at NU, but it's not impossible. You'll still have time for a social life and whatnot. Try to do a little everyday and don't get behind in any of your classes.</p>
<p>To get an idea as to what professors to take for each class I recommend looking at the CTECs for each course. The online CTECs (Course and Teacher Evaluation Council) list the opinions of students who have already had that professor and course. Through the evaluations listed on this website, you can figure out which professor is the best one to take for the class.</p>
<p>I personally really like the quarter system. Firstly, you're taking four classes instead of five at once. Also, you have a shorter span in which you have to remember material for finals (10 weeks instead of 15). Some courses, such as the general chemistry sequence, are divided into 3 classes (i.e. 3 quarters) instead of 2 classes (i.e. 2 semesters) like at other colleges. So your basically taking the class for the same amount of time as you would at another college, it's just that you'll take more midterms and finals. The quarter system does seem to go fast though, it sometimes feels as though you go straight from midterms into finals. And as an engineer, you don't officially get reading week. Any classes that are under McCormick will still be held during reading week, whereas classes under Weinberg won't be held.</p>
<p>Feel free to ask me any other questions.</p>
<p>Does the BME program at NU meet pre-med requirements? Are a lot of NU's BME kids pre-med? Do you know if the NU BME program is ABET certified?</p>
<p>Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>CubsRule:</p>
<p>Yes, I know a lot of BMEs and also ChemEs who are pre-med. I believe the BME program satisfies almost all pre-med requirements. I think there might be a few courses that pre-meds have to take additionally. For example, I know that BMEs only have to take one quarter of Bio, but if you're pre-med, you take one additional quarter. But any of the additional courses easily fit in as electives, so it's not as if you'll be at NU for any longer than those who are not pre-med. Also, yes, all engineering disciplines at NU are ABET accredited. You can find more information on ABET at <a href="http://www.abet.org/%5B/url%5D">www.abet.org/</a></p>
<p>Hope that helped.</p>
<p>What calculators are generally accepted in engineering courses at Northwestern? If graphing calculators are acceptable, is the TI-89 allowed, due to its extensive capabilities?</p>
<p>thanks for answering, knb459. what you said was really helpful!</p>
<p>I have been admitted to McCormick and i am planning to major in Electrical Engineering. I have a few questions
- I am wondering if there is any grade inflation or deflation in NWU?
- what is the average GPA like for engineering students?
- is it possible to double major from another college (like double majoring in economics)?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help!!</p>
<p>trumpetdude1339:</p>
<p>From what I've experienced thus far, either a class allows you to use a calculator (any calculator), or it doesn't allow the use of calculators on tests. For example, in all calculus classes, no calculators are allowed to be used on exams. They do this because graphing calculators can already do much of what they are testing you on. Any "math" they give you is simple enough that a calculator is not required. I believe that the "no calculator" rule in calc is pretty consistent across a lot of colleges. Also, for Engineering Analysis I (EA1), a calculator is also not allowed.</p>
<p>For other classes, such as the chemistry sequence and EA2, a calculator is allowed. I don't beleive it was ever mentioned if any types were not allowed and I know of several people who do use TI-89s.</p>
<p>That helped a lot, actually...Thanks for the info!</p>
<p>One more thing...I know you said the workload isnt "that hard" for BME's...but are the classes really competitive? Do students compete against eachother or do they try to help eachother? Thanks again!</p>
<p>How are the research opportunities in BME? Thanks.</p>
<p>billemos:</p>
<p>Grades in most engineering classes are curved so that the average is an 88% or a B+. For instance, if the average on an exam you took was 65%, and you got 87%, the professor would curve it so the average would be 88% and your grade would go up to say a 96%. Basically, how well you do all depends on how everyone else does. The professor normally divides it up so that so many students get A's, A-'s, B+'s, and so on. If you get lower than a C, no credit is received in the class.</p>
<p>Since most everything is averaged to a B+ grade, my guess as to the average engineering GPA would be around 3.3333. Although with the grades from humanities classes added in, it's probably a little higher, maybe a 3.5. I have no definite information on this though, and it's pure speculation.</p>
<p>It's definitely possible to double major in another college. I know of someone who is double majoring in ChemE and Econ. Just as long as you satisfy the requirements for both majors, you can receive a degree in both disciplines.</p>
<p>CubsRule:</p>
<p>In the two quarters I've been at NU, I definitely haven't experienced anything close to a competitive environment. I don't think I've met anyone thus far who hasn't been willing to help someone out. Sometimes we do homework in groups, which is actually encouraged, so that if someone gets stuck, someone else can help them figure it out. Most classes definitely encourage you to join "study groups" and for most freshman year classes you can sign up for workshops which are led by older students who can help you out. Overall, I definitely don't feel any sense of competition at NU which is really nice.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot! That was very helpful. one more question!
What residence hall would you suggest for a freshman engineer?</p>
<p>kinglz:</p>
<p>The research opportunities in all McCormick fields are overwhelming. It's really easy to become involved in research. If you know of a professor who is doing research in something that interests you, you can become involved by simply asking them. Also, if there is research you would like to initiate, you just need the approval of a faculty member to act as your advisor/mentor throughout the research process.</p>
<p>If you want something that is more of an "on the job" experience, the co-op program is a wonderful opportunity. You basically spend 3 quarters plus 3 summers working at a company and graduate a year later than normal. The co-op program starts the summer after your sophomore year, so you have time to decide if it's definitely for you.</p>
<p>billemos:</p>
<p>As a freshman engineer I would highly suggest that you choose a residence hall on north campus as that will be where most all of your classes will be. Other than that, the specific hall you should choose really depends on your own interests. If you really want to meet a lot of other freshmen and know their backgrounds, I would suggest one of the all-freshmen dorms. I believe they change every year but for this past year they were Elder Hall, Hinman House, and 600 Lincoln. Bobb and McCulloch are known as the party dorms, so if that's your thing I would suggest that's the place to go. There's also Sargent, which is a pretty popular residence hall that has its own dining hall. And if you want a residence hall that centers around more activities, then I highly suggest the res. college system.</p>
<p>There are three res. colleges on north campus, CCS (College of Cultural and Community Studies), Ayers CCI (College of Commerce and Industry), and Slivka (College of Science and Engineering). The activities of residential colleges include firesides (informational discussions on various topics), formals, movie nights, munchies, and other random activities such as a swing dance tutorial, a spelling bee, and a bachelor/bachelorette auction. I highly suggest the res. college system for freshmen as it allows you to become involved as soon as you get to campus and you also get to meet a ton of people.</p>
<p>As a resident of Slivka, I'm going to say it's the best for a freshman engineer, but remember I'm biased. In Slivka you can always find help if you need it, as about 70% of the residents are engineers and practically everyone around you is taking the same classes. Also, the rooms are larger than most on campus and you live in suites, meaning you share a bathroom with about 2 or 3 other people rather than 20. Slivka is also the newest residence hall on campus so everything is clean. There's also a music room with two pianos, a "Discovery Room" with computers and engineering/science equipment, and in addition you get Lisa's Cafe which is a popular hangout on north campus that has really good food.</p>
<p>So that's basically the end of my plug for Slivka. Basically, you have to decide which type of residence hall would be best for you and how much involvement you actually want to have with the members in your residence hall.</p>
<p>Hope that was helpful. Feel free to ask any other questions.</p>
<p>WAIT!!!!!!!! i intend to major in chemical engineering ..... so if i can fulfill the requirement for pre-med, i can go to northwestern med school without those new med school application processes???</p>
<p>lithiumbromide:</p>
<p>No, filling pre-med requirements does not automatically garner you a spot in NU's med school. Pre-med requirements refers to the courses that med schools like to see that you have taken as an undergrad.</p>
<p>The only way that you can automatically get into NU's med school is to apply as an undergrad to the HPME program which is under Weinberg, not McCormick.</p>
<p>Did you transfer any AP/College Credits to NU? Did it help or hurt you in taking higher level classes?</p>
<p>And what are the typical class sizes for engineering/science courses?</p>
<p>What classes are you taking right now, and what do you think is the hardest part about them?
How many hours per week per day do you spend studying/doing engineering work?</p>