<p>I always had a dilemma about doing engineering or business, but I ended up putting down business since it's a more vast field. But now after 1st semester of college I figured out that I want to do engineering, civil engineering. So now I think I am going change majors when I get back from winter break.</p>
<p>Can someone who is an engineering major tell me the types of classes that engineering majors have to take first 2 years of college and how hard they are? And can you guys also tell me about job opportunities after college and how important my gpa will be in me getting internships and getting hired? I am still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life so I need all the help I can get lol.</p>
<p>First two years will be the more basic math/science classes.</p>
<p>I go to Michigan and transferred into electrical engineering...the classes I needed to take my first two years to get the transfer straight was something like: as much calculus as possible, intro chemistry, physics (mechanics), physics (electricity and magnetism), basic computer programming. I'd imagine your classes will be basically the same, minus the electricity and magnetism course. Once all that stuff is out of the way, you'll begin with the more basic civil engineering classes.</p>
<p>As to GPA....the higher the better. At my school, all the engineering classes are curved to a B- (2.7), so it seems that 3.5+ really puts you in great shape.</p>
<p>I go to Cornell, and in first two years we do 4 semesters of math: single variable calc, multi variable calc, diff eq, linear algebra. 3 semesters of physics with the third semester being differential equation based. 1 semester of chem. 1 semester of CS. And 3 interesting general intro to engineering classes that are relevant to your major. And you fill the rest of your semester with liberal art classes.
In junior and senior year we get into serious major requirement classes. Taking at least 3 major required classes per semester. The junior year classes are more theoretical, and senior year classes are more practical.
Engineering courses are pretty hard here, don't expect to slack off too much unless you are very smart.
Higher GPA is always better. To attract recruiters I guess. Not sure about job prospect as I don't really want a career as an engineer.</p>
<p>I go to cornell also and have a friend who switched into civil engineering from a business-ish program (she did this her junior year, so at least you figured it out early). She kind of had to hit the ground running and needed to basically spend a semester taking engineering classes before transferring into engineering.
You might want to spend this summer taking classes so you can come into your sophomore year at the same point as everybody else instead of being a semester behind. There is really nothing wrong with not having an internship during the summer, especially after your freshman year. And you dont' necessarily have to take classes at your own school...look into a local state school where it will be much cheaper, just make sure credit will transfer.</p>