<p>I was just wondering which engineering branch could a person wih an average to slightly above average IQ contribute to breaking-through research? I have been told on this forum that physics is very hard and it generally takes a genuis to research and contribute to the science.</p>
<p>How hard is automotive engineering? Could the average person work extremely hard and perhaps get a Phd and contribute to the development of new vehicles? I know civil is easy, does that mean its easier to research and contribute to civil engineering science then physics?</p>
<p>Or when comming up with break-through research in any field is it so equally challenging that only the very intelligent can do it?</p>
<p>I'm not interested in money at all, I just want to be at the forefront of technology and research/contribute to the development of the newest technology. I'm especially interested in energy how it is stored and created and discovering and making new energy sources practical, be it nuclear, hydrogen, helium, solar, or even anti-matter energy.</p>
<p>You seem to have the right attitude for engineering. Above average IQ plus persistence is all you need in accomplish extraordinary things in engineering.</p>
<p>I won't look at going into Aeronautical Engineering, most engineers make fun at the term "rocket science"...</p>
<p>Seriously, don't take someone elses word that physics is hard try it for yourself. You never know, you Talent maybe hidden there.</p>
<p>Personally, I don't believe that the IQ test is a good measure of potential to generate success. Persperation, perserverance, and luck are better yardsticks. Also, I know some pretty below average IQ people who make a big difference in the tech field everyday. Their talent may not be lie in seeing a problem and a method to fix it, but they have other talents that contribute equally; eye for detail, people skills, analytical problem solving, etc...</p>
<p>To be serious, you shouldn't be so concerned about your IQ. It's just a stupid number. Some woman, Marilyn Savant or something like that has the reported highest IQ in the world (somewhere around 200). But so what? Her importance to this world is mute and is only on Wikipedia because of her score on some stupid test. Albert Einstein probably had a lower IQ score but it was his ability to think outside of the box, his immense curiosity, persistance and unrivaled creativity that made his mind so great. So go with your passion and not by what you think your "intelligence limitations" are.</p>
<p>Sidebar: Interestingly enough, the IQ test was not created to determine how smart a person is, rather to test for learning disabilities and handicaps. Or so I've been told.</p>
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Above average IQ plus persistence is all you need in accomplish extraordinary things in engineering.
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<p>This is true. I was told by a professor a couple of weeks ago "Andrew, I don't think your a genius, but you are smart enough, willing to take risks, and persevere. You will do better here than some of the people with perfect ACT scores." Give it a shot and don't ask if you are smart enough.</p>
<p>"Their talent may not be lie in seeing a problem and a method to fix it, but they have other talents... analytical problem solving"</p>
<p>Umm, isn't the ability to identify a problem and then create a method to solve said problem generally referred to as "analytical problem solving"???</p>
<p>I would consider myself of average intelligence, and am doing well in AE. I'm a senior now, and although it's a struggle and a ton of work, I've passed every class. Things that are difficult for me I've always enjoyed more. If it's easy, you'll get bored of it.</p>
<p>I believe that anyone that will put the effort towards their chosen major can accomplish it. When you go out to get a job, you won't be using knowledge from every course you took, but only a few. If you are stronger in a couple subsets of engineering, you can play it up on your resume and show a real interest. I know people who had sub 2.5 GPAs at my school who still eventually found jobs they enjoyed. Having about a 3.0 really helps though.</p>
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<p>I'm sure you can work at any big company with the financial resources and contribute in one way or another to a big project. Of course, you probably won't be recognized as the one who made everything possible, but you will be able to go home and say, "hey, I contributed to the development of this project."</p>
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Could the average person work extremely hard and perhaps get a Phd and contribute to the development of new vehicles?
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A person with a 100 IQ will not get an Engineering PhD. They most certainly will not get it at a top tier college where most research is going on. Their grades likely will not be high in undergrad (at whatever school 100 IQ people can get into) and therefore they will likely not be accepted into grad programs.</p>
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Albert Einstein probably had a lower IQ score but it was his ability to think outside of the box, his immense curiosity, persistance and unrivaled creativity that made his mind so great.
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Yes, I'm sure his low IQ helped him do calculus in the 8th grade.</p>
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This is true. I was told by a professor a couple of weeks ago "Andrew, I don't think your a genius, but you are smart enough, willing to take risks, and persevere. You will do better here than some of the people with perfect ACT scores." Give it a shot and don't ask if you are smart enough.
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The key phrase here is "smart enough". Smart enough might be 120+ IQ. Which is highly non-average.</p>
<p>"Yes, I'm sure his low IQ helped him do calculus in the 8th grade."</p>
<p>Read my post again and you will see you totally misread and/or didn't comprehend it. I first mentioned a lady who has the reported highest IQ in the world and said "Albert Einstein probably had a LOWER IQ score." </p>
<p>Maybe you don't know this, but "lower" is subjective term. When you first mention something with the reported highest value, lower could mean anything below that, perhaps even the second highest value. This does not mean it is is the lower half of all the values. </p>
<p>If you are indeed an engineering major, you should really brush up on your critical thinking skills. Just a suggestion.</p>
<p>Of course, my original points still stand that intellectual capacity is a gatekeeper into any PhD program and to groundbreaking research. Your initial point that IQ is a "stupid" number is hilariously misinformed.</p>
<p>Someone with an average IQ can contribute to any engineering branch. They can work for leading companies, accomplish extraordinary things - develop innovative products/make breakthroughs in research. I've seen it happen.</p>
<p>Choose whatever college course/major that interests you.</p>
<p>I absolutely agree with inverse's post - You seem to have the right attitude for engineering. Above average IQ plus persistence is all you need in accomplish extraordinary things in engineering. - The same can be said for any other career.</p>
<p>But what if I was a little embarassed to say that my IQ may be slightly bellow average... I honestly know I'm somewhere in the middle but not sure exactly where. I've taken IQ tests but my scores have ranged from 70-120. Is there an accurate IQ test? I mean I think the way to be accurate would be to take an IQ test like 4 times by the same maker (however different test each time) and average the score. </p>
<p>Is there a such thing as verbal dyslexia? I know people comprehend the written word faster then verbal, however it seems there is a greater gap with me.</p>
<p>bcarvings, let the IQ tests go they are a useless test of nothing in particular. Humanity does not have a good grasp on what intelligence is, the definition of intelligence is widely debated and scientists are just scratching the surface of trying to understand the brain and it's structure/function. Do you like Math? Are you creative? Hardworking? Focused? You'll be fine if you answered 'yes' to 3/4 of the questions.</p>
<p>Just make sure to pick a field that is really fascinating to you and don't be afraid to switch.</p>
<p>I also have the same problem going into ME at my school.I am going to UCSD which is a pretty competative school full of people who are smarter than me. I have one question to ask which is that with my high school stats(GPA. 3.8 SATs 1720) will I be able to do well in the academic environment that UCSD has.I am having regrets coming to this school thinking that the material being taught will be beyond my grasp since most of the ME program is heavily based on thoery.</p>