<p>Hello, I am an electrical engineering student, and needed some help with deciding between a class. I have to take either statics or thermodynamics. I was wondering if I could get some input from people who have taken either of the two, or maybe even both. I have heard from people that Thermo is easier, but doing some more research, I have also read that Statics is much easier. Which would be the better choice for me to take as an EE as well? Thank you for your help.</p>
<p>At my school students have to take both. I have to take both next semester. From what I’ve heard, next semester won’t be pleasant. Am looking forward to the response this question asks. </p>
<p>What do you really learn in these classes? What are they comparable to? What kind of workload has been seen? How valuable is it towards upper level engineering classes?</p>
<p>Thermodynamics+</p>
<p>As a former Civil Engineer I took both, and preferred Statics by far, but I now work in software development for consumer electronics. Believe me, many times the hardest issues we face are thermal… Sure, we have ME’s doing the thermal modeling, heat dissipation, and the like, but understanding a bit from an EE’s side is cool (pun intended) and could be useful. </p>
<p>As far as which class is easier, I’d say Statics.</p>
<p>It depends a lot on who you ask, and their strengths/weaknesses. Some of the concepts in Thermo can be difficult for students to wrap their heads around having never seen the material before… like trying to understand what exactly entropy is, or getting enthalpy and entropy mixed up.</p>
<p>Statics also has some curve balls, but in general, the material is a bit more straightforward than thermo. When you start getting into 3D truss structures, it can be a bit challenging trying to visualize the problems in your head, but the math behind it all is rather simple.</p>
<p>Out of the two courses, I would say statics is easier, but thermo is more interesting (IMHO). As an EE, you would definitely benefit more from Thermo.</p>