<p>I am working to major in Civil Engineering, specifically Structural Engineering. I am taking AP Physics and Pre-Calc as a Junior (wasted a year on AP Statistics, otherwise I would be taking AP Calculus). I was just wondering if my thoughts on the major was accurate. I envisioned Structural Engineering to be like an Architect but on a larger more industrial scale. I expect to be using CAD to create building designs as well as drafting some designs myself, is Structural Engineering like that, if not what major is? My intentional interest was with Architecture, which i still very much like and I'm thinking about double majoring, but something about that seems pretty redundant, i don't know.</p>
<p>Architecture is very different than structural engineering. Here is a link that does a good job of explaining the two fields: [The</a> difference between an architect and a structural engineer - by John F Mann - Helium](<a href=“http://www.helium.com/items/1028268-the-difference-between-an-architect-and-a-structural-engineer]The”>http://www.helium.com/items/1028268-the-difference-between-an-architect-and-a-structural-engineer)</p>
<p>“Architects are responsible for design of the building shape, layout and appearance. Structural engineers are responsible for design of the building elements (foundations, columns, beams) that support all other building elements.”</p>
<p>I like to think of a building as a person. The structural engineer designs the “bones” of a building so that it can stand up. The MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) engineer designs the central nervous system, the organs, the blood vessels, etc of the building so it can function. The architect manages the design of the whole body, with help from the engineering consultants, so that it can function and be aesthetically pleasing.</p>
<p>You will most likely not come up with the general concept / design of a building as a structural engineer. You will take somebody else’s dream and make it a reality.</p>
<p>Sorry for repeating myself for the seasoned posters, but this might help the OP. </p>
<p>You really need to think about your strengths to decide which field to go into. I am really good at math and science. Art, not so much (to put it mildly!). As an Architectural Engineering major (which I did because I was interested in structures, not general civil engineering), I had to take two semesters of architectural design. I had almost all straight As in engineering. I really struggled in those studio classes, though. </p>
<p>First semester I squeaked by with a B, and second semester I got a C, even though I’d worked REALLY hard. It would just freak me out when we’d get an assignment such as, “Design a hotel and build a model.” We’d be given a few more specifics, but not that many! That was pure torture for me. But I was on cloud nine when asked to analyze a ten-story building on the computer and size all the structural members!</p>
<p>I used to be in the same position - in High School, I was going into Architecture but changed my mind to Structural because I believed it would be more mathematical. Not to mention architecture is a pain in the ass. </p>
<p>If I were you and want to see what it “entails” just download the NCEES FE Exam handbook (for free) and browse through the Mechanics/Dynamics sections. Pretty much the types of calculations you’ll be looking at.</p>