<p>I'm starting my senior year and I REALLY need some input on what engineering is like. I need to make up my mind on what to major in.
I love the idea of creating something and using all my skills sets in one area. I like math and adore science, esp biology. </p>
<p>So what is it like ? Are the classes ridiculously difficult?
I'm interested in BME, ChemE & Environmental. There's so many I don't know what I'd be good at. Give me as much info as you can please!</p>
<p>Engineering is difficult enough, but from the posts in this forum you might get the impression that it’s an impossible set of majors meant only for geniuses. Very much not so.</p>
<p>Engineering is mostly physics and every one of the engineering fields is quite light on the chemistry and biology (ChemEs usually take only a few classes on chemistry unless they choose to take a lot). There’s also computer science, which is dealing with software and the related math. </p>
<p>Not sure which ones you would really be interested in; you might as well just pick something and decide later. Look into some Informatics programs/research/etc - using computers to solve science problems.</p>
<p>Engineering is demanding because of the science involved and that it deals with exact things. The majority of “difficultness” comes from people who cannot confine to exact rules or read books. Also, the mathematics is perhaps that which is always slightly abstract.</p>
<p>But it’s fundamentally practical and only reinforced by science, because the practice requires it. That makes it actually a bit easier.</p>
<p>I think many undergrad CE programs are revamping their programs to include more biology. At, Ohio State they recently cut the amount of required physical chemistry and increased the amount of required bology. However, I would not say that the chem classes are light because you still need gen chem, o chem, p chem, biochem, and electives.</p>
<p>Also there is Dept of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering with majors that include quite a bit of chem and biology. I think the environmental engineering program falls under this department as well.</p>
<p>An engineer excels in math and science, enjoys problem solving, and is capable of inventing creative solutions. If you are these things, then engineering is for you.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about not knowing what field to enter because most schools start all engineers on general engineering courses. In most cases, it takes until your junior year until you actually start courses that are specifically suited for your major. For now, take the time to explore and learn about each of the fields you’re interested in.</p>
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<p>This is not true, at least in my school. Typically people start taking major classes 3rd semester here. You can get away with starting 4th semester usually but that puts you in a bit of a crunch and it’s not unheard of to start 1st or 2nd semester at all either. If you started 5th semester you likely wouldn’t graduate in 8 due to the prerequisite chains. </p>
<p>It’s not necessary that you know what you want to major in going in, but you should definitely know by the end of your freshman year.</p>