<p>Although having received the admission to the engineering department, Im rly confused about how to choose the program that fits me most.
have some questions here waiting for answers ^^
Is there any chance that I can choose double major(may be one CS and one EP) at first year??????
CS and Computer engineer at UIUC, which one is more challenging？Is CS one of the best majors at uiuc engineering department? how is EP then?
what's IEFX??? </p>
<p>and cant help asking are there lots of parties in UIUC?</p>
<p>I assume you have already chosen a program to the extent you had to apply to a specific engineering major when you applied although after first year you can request a change. You cannot just “choose” to double major at any time. It requires permission by both departments and is not lightly given because they know the course requirements needed for any engineering major are daunting enough to make it difficult to double Major without significantly stretching out the time you are going to be spending in college unless you come in with a lot of AP credits. Also, you can’t do it in first year and the chance to seek doing it is more likely to arise for beginning of third year.</p>
<p>All engineering majors at UIUC are good and CS is highly regarded. Engineering Physics is heavy on physics, possibly the most difficult program in engineering there and more geared for those intending to go on to grad school. </p>
<p>iEFX is a community learning program where engineering students get to do a project in freshman year, and basically avaialble to any engineering freshman (it has its limitations in enrollment based on resources available but in its short history – it was previously called iFoundry – it has not reached capacity in those applying). It is not a necessary program by any means.</p>
<p>There are no parties at UIUC, all students are studious overachievers who consider a wild weekend to be spending two days in the library with a couple trips to Starbuck’s (and, of course, if you believe that there is a bridge in New York I can sell you).</p>
<p>I like physics, but I also realize that having a ECE major is more appeal to the employers. I heard EP requires students to learn many deep concepts that may not be sooo useful unless I want to do further research or to get PHD in physics. Thats why I want a double major and just want to learn more and to have more alternatives when I finish my undergrad study.</p>
<p>Well since you asked about CS vs Computer Science, i figure I should let you know that they are two very different degrees. Computer Science isn’t really engineering in the traditional sense. It is all about programming and data structures and making a computer do what you want it to do from the software side of things. Computer Engineering is really a type of Electrical Engineering and is about making a computer do what you want it to from the hardware side of things.</p>
<p>In other words, it isn’t about which program is better, it is about which one you would be interested in.</p>
<p>As for EP, it is essentially the same as getting a physics degree. It probably isn’t as marketable to most employers, just as a physics degree doesn’t have as many opportunities as an engineering degree, but it will leave you with a lot more theoretical, physical knowledge compared to the more practical applications taught in engineering. That essentially means that you have a few opportunities for jobs and a good base for graduate school. At least, that is how I interpreted it as an outsider (in MechSE) looking in. You may have to actually talk to the department or some current students for a better answer.</p>