<p>Ok so I wasn't accepted as an Engineer in UCI because, what I believe, is that I have little Math/Physics experience. I am currently taking Calculus AB and I find it to be a little struggling, but that's only because I haven't put in the time to study lately (I used to study daily and understand it). I've had no Physics classes throughout my high school career.</p>
<p>My objective in UCI is to become an Electrical Engineer, so how hard is it going to be to be able to become it (Given my little engineering background)? Can I still acquire Physics classes and such once registration arrives? Should I take the Calculus Placement exam and the Physics test? </p>
<p>I'm ready to work my ass off to become an engineer, but I just wanna know if I'm getting myself into a mission impossible before I make any rash decisions.</p>
<p>Hi I’m a Mechanical Engineering admit at UCI for next year, hoping to dual in Materials Science Engineering or Aerospace Engineering, and have some advice.</p>
<p>Since you are planning to switch from undeclared to electrical engineering, you will need to concentrate alot more on math and physics as you stated. This is not impossible you just need alot of motivation and determination. You need to surround yourself around people who will help you stay on top. </p>
<p>I hope that Calculus AB is only difficult because you don’t place enough effort into it. You will need to place alot of effort during college in mathematics. Electrical Engineering is the MOST mathematically involved field of engineering. Electrical engineering focuses on circuits, electromagnetism, and so on…all of which cannot be understand easily with drawings and objects (unlike mech/aero engineering which is more visually understood). We can’t see electromagnetic waves so instead we use theories, equations, alot of math to understand electrical mechanisms. I highly suggest improving your mathematic skills right now and take the Calculus Assessment Test at UCI so that you are placed into a decent level of mathematics. However, if you get a 3-5 on the Calculus AB exam you will be placed into Math 2A (Score of 3) or Math 2B (Score of 4 or 5) automatically. So you should probably study for that AP exam But whether through the assessment exam or the AP exam placement, as long as you get into Math 2A, you will be okay. But you better absorb all the math during college. Perhaps itll be easier for you during college than in high school. </p>
<p>Now Physics…Since you have had no physics classes, you will begin by taking your intro to physics classes next year. I don’t recommend studying for the physics assessment test for UCI because its just too much. Just get into the intro physics and you’re good, but you need to again work hard and advance quickly. Electrical Engineering involves ALOT of physics, especially concepts involved with electromagnetism so I hope youre prepared to absorb all of that as well. </p>
<p>I can honestly tell you that I detested the electrical section of AP Physics the most because it was way too abstract for me. However, I know many ppl who enjoyed that section the most! I am more of a hands on person but I am really great with understanding mathematical and physical concepts so thats why I am into Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering. I also love drawing and creating diagrams of physical situations while I detest having to do this in solely in complex computer programs for electrical physical situations.</p>
<p>If you believe that Electrical Engineering revolves around too much mathematics, you can always pick another field of engineering that is less abstract. You will still be taking similar if not the same classes during the first year…physics and math and such, but they are applied differently in different fields of engineering. So hopefully you will be able to decide by next year! But really I strongly encourage you to get into some field of engineering! It is VERY exciting and a rewarding lifetime experience :D</p>
<p>The concept of electricity fascinates me. The way it’s so automatic is really a wonder to my eyes, and I would love to know how it all works and how to use it And I usually like to dig into complex material as long as I know what I’m doing lol. Perhaps I might shift around the engineering fields and go to Aerospace, Mechanical, etc., but I really wanna work with what I’m best at and seems really interesting. </p>
<p>The thing that scares me is that, depending on the material, I’m generally a slow learner. In the end, this might all overwhelm me, but I wanna take my best shot at this. I don’t see myself being a doctor, a psychologist, a teacher, or anything. I can only picture myself working with machines and power supplies. </p>
<p>Thank you for the kind advice good sir I wish you the best in your future.</p>
<p>I graduated from UCI as an EE last year and am now at UCLA for my MS/PhD. EE is an amazing field (you can tell how much I love it by what I’m trying to obtain) so get ready for one heck of a ride! </p>
<p>EE is very mathematical. There is a branch called Systems and Signal Processing that is purely math. In fact, some of the pioneers of this field are mathematicians (aka Shannon Claude). But that’s at the high, theoretical level so don’t worry about it too much =P. </p>
<p>Anyway, transferring into EE should be pretty easy granted you get a 3.0+ in your required courses. Stay on track and fight to get into those pre-req courses (physics, math, programming, etc.) and do well in them. Getting right around the 3.0 GPA may be a little risky since competition becomes worse as you move along your four years so make sure to aim high. However, if you get a low GPA, don’t give up. For me, material started making much more sense when I took real engineering courses so I aced them.</p>
<p>Take the placement exams and catch up on math/science ASAP. Practice learning at a faster pace. Practice performing well on tests. This is my advice. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the support guys Perhaps I will see you next year ehvyizcool. Where do you live around? What high school do you currently go to? </p>
<p>And one more general question: jas0n, you mentioned the idea of having to “fight to get into those pre-req courses,” so how exactly do I fight to get them? Harass the counselors? Lol.</p>
<p>I live in LA currently, do you live in LA? :o </p>
<p>I think by fighting for pre-req courses he means get ready to apply for your courses ASAP. Get a catalog of classes and pick all the classes you will be needing to take ahead of time so that during class registration you know which classes you are going to take and you just tell your counselor. You should also have backups just in case the classes are already taken. You should go to the earliest possible SPOP because I think thats when you register. and the catalog you can probably get from UCI website, if not use last year’s it won’t change much. I would do alot of research about classes needed and such… I know I will soon</p>
<p>I live in Orange Country. More specifically, in Garden Grove. </p>
<p>Well I’ll definitely try to sign up for the earliest SPOP date so I can get my classes. I’ll also be taking the Calculus Placement exam soon. When’s the latest I can take that exam?</p>
<p>When I mean fight for your pre-reqs, I mean you’ll have a hard time getting into core pre-reqs like EECS10, physics, chemistry, etc. As a freshman, you will have priority in some of these entry level courses, but sometimes people find it difficult to enroll into these classes if they have a late enrollment window, and because they have a hold on their record/paid tuition late. You might miss a pre-req here or there and have to take it your second year, but it’s a very rare case. For those it happens to, switching majors gets delayed a quarter or so. It should be very easy to get these classes though, so don’t let me scare you.</p>
But whether through the assessment exam or the AP exam placement, as long as you get into Math 2A, you will be okay. But you better absorb all the math during college. Perhaps itll be easier for you during college than in high school. </p>