<p>I know that any engineering major in itself would be tough, but how much more difficult would a double major be? </p>
<p>I currently attend a blended program (community college and high school). ANd I would (hopefully, if the schools I am applying to take community college credits) be transfering these credits to college:
Calc 1, 2, 3
Engineering Physics 1, 2, 3
General Chemistry 1 and 2
Engineering Statics
Engineering Dynamics
and two other general college classes
I also plan to complete 5 more courses this summer. </p>
<p>I know engineers take the same basic fundamental courses, so the main difference would be in upper level courses. For example, at my state school, all engineers need the E.Physics course and the Calc. I believe ChemEs also need Diff and Part Equations.
And don't ChemEs take Transport Phenomena and MechEs take Fluids, which are the same courses??</p>
<p>Given the above information, how hard would it be for me to Double Major, taking courses every summer, and graduating in four years?
I appreciate any insight you guys may have.</p>
<p>Taking courses every summer could definitely help ease the load during the regular semesters but at some schools the courses that are offered during the summer can be extremely limited, especially when it comes to design courses. </p>
<p>Why do you want to double major? Do you plan on using both majors in your career or do you want to do it for the sake of learning?</p>
<p>Both majors have heavy workloads but double majoring is definitely doable. The brighter you are the easier it will be. ChemEs and MechEs do take some of the same courses (heat transfer, fluid mechanics, etc.) but the courses often focus on different things. </p>
<p>I am in MechE and I have brother in ChemE and we have no interest in each other's fields. The work involved is too different for either of us to like the other major.</p>
<p>Unless you want to do hardcore fluid mechanics in graduate school (and even then mechE alone with some chemE courses would be better), there is absolutely no reason at all to put yourself through the ordeal of doubling in both these fields.</p>
<p>I want to double major for the sake of learning. I have enjoyed chemistry a lot, and I also like like MechE. I also have the opportunity to do so because of the college credits. I am also motivated to do it since I think it would be better for my career. </p>
<p>Can you guys comment on that last part? How would grad schools (MS or PHD) look at the double engineering major? WOuld I be better off just doing a minor in one and getting better grades? Also, would this double major help in the job market (as in more pay or ease of finding a job). There must be many disciplines that overlap in this regard such as materials science. And I would like to have an advantage with the double major. </p>
<p>Calkidd commented on fluid mechanics. I only used that example to illustrate the similar courses. What I really want to get into is research and product development, especially in Aerospace or Automotive fields (double major might help in new fuel cell cars). </p>
<p>I appreciate all the feedback and any advice you may offer. I am starting college in fall 2005. Thanks!</p>
<p>justin: What is meant by "Doable?" Is that 4, 5 or 6 years? How much do you think I would need to sacrifice to pull it off in 4 years? </p>
<p>Fei: EE and MechE might be great for systems/robotics, but EE is way too theoretical (and I think boring) for me. Although ChemE might be the same, I think I can at least relate to it more.</p>
<p>EE is theoretical?? well I guess that depends on which concentration you want to go to..I mean circuit design, robotics is pretty hands on..same with mechanical...I wouldn't call it too theoretical.</p>
<p>From my experience, EE is theoretical compared to the other engineering majors. But many people like this because it offers them a chance to be creative.</p>
<p>fei, EE is VERY theoretical. Robotics is basic stuff, and can be done by most mech E's. To get an actual EE degree, the theory you go through is pretty intense. While I'm only a freshman and haven't actually started my EE curriculum yet, I took several courses in electronics at a local university while in high school. This school was small and didn't offer any engineering degrees itself (it was a satellite), yet its electronics classes, which are comparatively basic, were very, very theoretical. I guess it could also depend on the school you go to though.</p>
<p>u'll be better served if u do a double major in Industrial Operations Engineering and Chem E/or Mech E. or something in business with engineering.</p>
<pre><code>I am a chemical engineer for many years.
Chemical engineering is different from chemistry. If you really enjoy chemistry you should apply something like Bio-chemistry, Bio-physics, or
</code></pre>
<p>Chemistry, even material science. Chemical engineering is different from what you think. A lot of math, simulation, control, and fluid mechanics.
If you want to have double major or double degree with chem. E., I suggest
you might consider management degree (MBA, marketing, MIS ...).
Double major in engineering will not help you in finding job or increasing your salary.</p>
<p>Thanks for those replies. I guess the general consensus is that a double engineering major is not recommended. </p>
<p>tokaicarbon: Did you complete a degree in engineering/management? Would you recommend your career path (ChemE) to others? It says in your profile that you are a business owner, what do you do? </p>
<p>And out of mechanical and chemical engineering, which would you recommend to combine with management for a major? I am looking for salary and career opportunities in research/product development.</p>
<p>Oh, and what is meant by a management degree? Currently, I am looking at plans for an undergraduate degree, so an MBA is not possible. Which major exactly would you engineers recommend for this "management" background? Economics? Undergraduate business?</p>
<p>Which would be better for salary/career opportunities?
Person 1: 2 BSs in Engineering then MS/PHD or
Person 2: 2 BSs in Engineering then MBA or
Person 3: 1 BS Engineering, 1 BS Economics/Business then MBA?</p>
<p>Is the person with the highly technical background more valued, or is the person (s) with the management background more valued?</p>
<pre><code> From my point of view, a three to about 10 years expericence engineers are most productive. If you take a look at Microsoft, I don't think they still keep the same software engineers when they started the company. It will be the same for all the fields of engineering. As a engineer, your starting salary will be around 50K per year. And usually will be top out at about 70K to 100K after 10 years. Which is fair, I know I gain expericence but loss my productivity when I getting older. It will be very important for you to change your career from pure engineer or reseracher to some kind of management level. I rember when I was a process engineer (ethylene project) in a major design company, CEO/Manager > Marketing/Tech Manager > Engineer Manager > Engineer. I mean ">" including salary & job security.
</code></pre>
<p>Software engineers are more sensitive to your age. They use thier brain more then just experience.<br>
Chemical engineer is different from 20 years ago. We got too many different tools from computer simulation program. A three years experience junior engineer can do very sophisticated projects which only can handled by senior engineer 20 years ago.
My advise is take Chem E as major (which is good, I know some oil companies
have not hired for 10 to 20 years, Their average employee age is aroung 45 to 60 year old right now. They got to hire a lot of people within 10 to 15 years. Second, there will be a energy shortage pretty soon, as long as China keep rising up. For energy shortage, CheE and Pertro E. are benefit the most)
management as minor like:
Chem E./Accounting
Chem E./Finance
Chem E./Marketing
Chem E./Ind. Eng.
At least, you don't need to worry about job after 50 year old.</p>
<p>You have been a great help tokaicarbon, without your post, I might have been overworked my next four years for nothing. </p>
<p>I just have a couple more questions. So the undergraduate degree in management would help you 10 years later (after you start your career) when you want to manage? This would imply that the previous undergrad degree is worth more than the experience. </p>
<p>This goes back to my previous question regarding which person is more valuable. The person with the MBA is "better off" than the PHD?
Can you please address this question?
Person 1: 2 BSs in Engineering then MS/PHD or
Person 2: BS in Engineering, MS in Engineering then MBA or
Person 3: 1 BS Engineering, 1 BS Economics/Business then MBA?</p>
<p>JoyJoy - The answer to your question depends on what type of company you want to work for. Do you want to work for a big, non-pharmaceutical/biotech firm that does mostly manufacturing? Then the MBA will probably help a lot. On the other hand, if you want to do anything remotely related to biology (even costmetics) or work at a small company with growth potential, then a PhD, particularly a PhD in chemical engineering, could be very useful. There are many PhD programs that let you emphasize in translating science into the marketplace or into a big company - MIT, for example, has a "chemical engineering practice" PhD program. </p>
<p>Also keep in mind that many CEOs and other higher-ups within large firms have science PhDs. I would venture to guess that the best bet, for most things, would be the BS in chemE followed by a PhD in chemE with the caveat that during your PhD you take some business courses and possibly get a certificate of completion. The certificate itself isn't important, but the skills you learn in those classes (patent stuff, marketing strategy, etc.) are.</p>
<p>it really depends on what you really want to be and your personality.
You can be 1. Manufacturing field engineer
2. Design company (Process Engineer)
3. Project Engineer.
4. Research Engineer work in a lab.
5. Production control engineer.
6. Computer control engineer.
If we just talk about tradtional Chem E work in a traditional Oil Company, Chemical Company, or Petrochemical Company.
Usually PHD. is not necessary. I don't encourage you to be too technical and work in a research lab forever. Like reactor design, catalyst design.. ect. You don't have too many chances for promotion.
If you study hard enough and your school is good enough, you should have enough knowledge to pratice your engineer's job. Usually all different companies have different process to produce same product. Your company suppose will give you a very intensive trainning before they put you on the job.
Usually production engineer with some business background has more chance for promotion. Research engineer usually stay at lab for most of thier life.
What I am trying to tell you is if you try to join the company like EXXON/CHEVRON, PHD degree is not necessary, double engineering degree is not necessary, Actually company's on job trainning is more pratical than what you can learn from school. If I have enough time, I will try to learn more:
1. Computer control.
2. Quality control
3. Accounting & finance
4. Plant management (Man power/Inventory control ...)</p>
<p>If you would like to go small company (Usually less job security), there will be different story.</p>