<p>Alright. So I've looked through most of the engineering disciplines commonly offered at the undergraduate level and I've decided to study mechanical. However, I know that the math education in the engineering field usually plateau's at Calc 4 / Diff. Eqs. I really want to study the pure/ theoretical mathematics when I'm in college. No doubt about it, I want to study the applied mathematics also, I just have a fondness for the bigger and broader spectrum of the pure mathematics. So my question is this: How strenuous is a Math and Engineering double major? Would I have to tack on a year or two on top of my engineer major to complete it? No doubt about it, I would choose engineering as my only major if this option were to take more than 5 years (I really want to finish in four, though).</p>
<p>For more info: I already have AP credit for Calc I, 2 years of english, western civ, macro/micro econ, govt, US Histo, and after this year I will have credit for Calc II, Physics I, and Chem I.</p>
<p>I think you’re being overly hopeful wanting to complete a dual major in eng and math within 4 years. I don’t know how many classes will overlap from mathematics to engineering, but my guess is that you would be free from repeating physics, the calculus series, and general education units.</p>
<p>It definitely sounds like a good deal, but realize that many find engineering to be a harder major and most eng graduates–at least where I come from, will take about 5 years to graduate with a B.S. The time it will take you to graduate will not only depend on your course load, but also whether you choose take time off to take for internships. Of course all of this will depend on the type of student you are, but I will make no assumptions.</p>
<p>You will probably be able to apply for the double major after you start school. That said, after a few quarters into college I think you will have a better idea whether you want to go for another major or follow the single degree path.</p>
<p>PS . a minor in math or engineering related science can be much more easily done. depending on the program, maybe about 1-2 quarters more work. Look into that first!</p>
<p>It doesn’t plateau at all, you just stop taking classes that are solely in math. As part of the engineering degree where I went you had to take a semester crash course in PDE’s, fourier analysis and complex variables.</p>
<p>I hate to burst your bubble though in that theoretical math has nothing to do with what you learn in engineering. You’ll find your math classes burdensome if anything. I know, I minored in math and took all theoretical classes. I got A’s in them, but it would take me about 6 hours to do one proof in Topology.</p>
<p>Have you ever thought about going into Applied Mathematics? It is more math based engineering, and I believe that some with Applied Math degrees get masters degrees in engineering.</p>
<p>Depends on the school. At my alma mater, this was a not-uncommon double (actually, anything and math was not uncommon - 40% of the math majors were double majors). However, if what you want is just to get some higher-level theoretical math classes, you can do that without double majoring. Just take some higher-level theoretical math classes. As, you know, electives. If you want something formalized, get a minor.</p>
<p>Why pigeonhole yourself into a bunch of unnecessary requirements to achieve a major or minor that you’re not necessarily going to use? Just take the courses you want to take. Sit down with the course catalog and choose the math courses that sound interesting to you, and figure out how to fit those into your schedule over the duration of your college career. If it ends up getting you a minor in math or even a second major, then great, but why add the pressure of requirement completions to your enjoyment of math? Study what you want to study; the extra major or minor isn’t going to get you much more than if you just put on your resume that you took extra coursework in mathematics, so there’s no need to beat your brains in by locking yourself into something that has requirements.</p>
<p>If you’re going to double major it might take more than five years, many people take six years just for the eingeering degree. If you want a minor in math, you can probably get it done in five if you really bust your a**. What school are you planning to attend? Not all schools are going to accept the classes you completed so far, their math or science series might be a bit different and they might ask for different GE’s too. If you get lucky, you can probably find a school that will only ask for 4 or 5 classes for the minor. Btw, double majors or a minor are very common but not for engineering majors.</p>
<p>My suggestion to you would be to declare a math major, and then you can take as many math classes as you want in your “spare” time. A double major is probably going to require a WHOLE lot more work, since you will have to fulfill requirements other than math to get the degree, i.e. A math major might require an upper level econ class where a mech eng major does not.</p>
<p>Also, having two degree’s wont really help you very much when you look for a job, at least in terms of salary. Most people who do pursue two undergrad degrees do so for the love of the subject matter.</p>
<p>Speaking from experience, getting a BS in Mech Eng is gonna be rough. The classes are hard, and there is always an abundance of material to go around. If you declare a minor, you can take some math classes for the fun of it when your load that semester is not going to be too heavy.</p>
<p>My son wanted to do a CS/Math double major but he can’t do that if he plans to graduate in three years. He could do it in four. He came in with about 30 credits which would allow him to do this.</p>
<p>But this year he picked up a part-time job and he’s looking for internships for the summer, winter and during the rest of the semester if it is not too many hours. Taking extra courses might not work so well combined with internships.</p>