<p>Recently I've determined I want to go into Engineering in college because I'm so interested in math and physics. Unfortunately I can't decide on a field I want to specify in. My parents are being extremely nagging about it, and I just can't come to a consensus. I really enjoy calculus and physics mechanics.</p>
<p>Maybe mechanical engineering? Also, have you taken any other courses that you did NOT enjoy or is there anything else you might have an interest in, to narrow the choice down?</p>
<p>Generally, if you like mechanics, mechanical, aeronautical or civil engineering would be good choices as they are based mostly on pure mechanics with only a little bit of other things thrown in. Materials science has a lot of mechanics in some branches mixed with a lot of chemistry.</p>
<p>mechanical engineering is on my list to look into. My Dad is a Civil Engineer so I’m spending a day with one of his friends whose a Mechanical Engineer this summer. I’ll be really happy if it encompasses everything I like.</p>
<p>Oh and for your question, I HATE chemistry with every fiber of my being.</p>
<p>So what stuff do you like that you are hoping it encompasses? I can try and help you there given that my BS is in Mechanical Engineering.</p>
<p>I am hoping that I can use my studies in calculus and newtonian mechanics to apply in a major. is that on the right track for mechanical engineering?</p>
<p>Duuuh…</p>
<p>^There’s no need for that.</p>
<p>Yes, Chell77, Calculus and Physics are used extensively in many engineering fields. Normally, most engineers take a sequence of Calculus 1, 2, and 3; Linear Algebra; and Differential Equations. They also take basic Physics, Chemistry, and in some cases Biology courses. After that they specialize within their chosen field. Very exciting!</p>
<p>Well you would use some degree of classical mechanics in any of the three I mentioned before, and even a lot of the more advanced stuff will be based on things like F=ma, just on steroids. For example, the equations governing fluid motion (Navier-Stokes equations) are technically a fancy way of writing F=ma.</p>
<p>If you are really interested in pure mechanics, doing mechanical or aerospace engineering or even applied mechanics may be a good choice.</p>
<p>Petroleum Engineering</p>
<p>Always more job positions available than graduates.</p>
<p>Highest starting salary of any Engineering discipline ~ 85,000 Entry in some states + Bonuses</p>
<p>Most PE work 3 weeks and then get 3 weeks vacation. Its a cycle.</p>
<p>The Academics of PE are not as difficult as other abstract fields like Electrical and Computer engineering where its difficult to understand concepts because you can’t actually see them, its difficult to conceptualize at the quantum level. With petroleum engineering because its at a Macro level concepts are more straightforward.</p>
<p>In EE and CE you kinda have to “trust” that whats being taught is how its actually going to be.</p>
<p>Petroleum Engineering is very interesting Academically for those who like Physics Sciences such as Geology.</p>
<p>The most profitable and largest companies in the world are Oil & Gas companies.</p>
<p>And tons of other reasons why you should pursue Petroleum Engineering.</p>
<p>If you have any other questions feel free to ask.</p>
<p>Also, in the end choose what you love. Except for Civil Engineering.</p>
<p>Civil engineering is not a good Engineering discipline to be in due to unemployment.</p>
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<p>Picking a major based on starting salary is a really bad way to decide.</p>
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<p>That is irrelevant given the fact that the OP will just be starting college presumably in the Fall of 2011. Seeing as how he/she won’t actually graduate with his/her degree until 2015 or 2016, you would imagine that the effects of this recession would have worn off sufficiently to allow someone to pursue civil engineering if that is what they really wanted.</p>
<p>Finally, in all your effusive praise of petroleum engineers, you forgot to mention the drawbacks, such as the incredibly long hours out in the field where you may be working 24 hour shifts. Trust me, it is an interesting and important career, but jobs like that aren’t for everyone.</p>
<p>Furthermore, petroleum engineering, as you yourself admitted, is fairly light on physics and calculus compared to most other forms of engineering, which are two things the OP expressed interest in using.</p>
<p>You know, if you like physics and math, other majors to consider would be physics and math.</p>
<p>That being said if you like mostly classical mechanics (a point of etiquette: don’t say Newtonian mechanics unless you specifically mean F=ma… there are other formulations of classical mechanics which are pretty neat) then physics as a major probably isn’t great (too much physics), and math probably isn’t either (not enough physics). Since you don’t like chemistry I would be a little on the cautious side of CivE, as I think that of the three - MechE, AeroE, CivE - CivE has the greatest potential for requiring chemistry stuff (cement?).</p>
<p>It makes me happy when people say they like mechanics.</p>
<p>Hey, mechanics explain a great deal about the universe around us. We should all love mechanics. =)</p>
<p>If you like physics and math, consider aerospace engineering. Anticipating lots of retirement among aerospace engineers in the future so there will be lots of jobs in this. Also, even though NASA is being forced to discontinue the shuttle, they will continue to look into aerospace ventures to other planets. Also, nowadays there are lots of new jobs with private aerospace companies. My son will be majoring in aerospace engineering starting this fall… He is very optimistic about his job prospects… it is a pretty cool engineering major…</p>
<p>That it is, but jobs are concentrated on the edges of the country, in large metro areas generally.</p>
<p>Most engineering programs will have you take: Calculus I, II & III, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Physics I, II & Modern Physics and Intro to Programming within the first two years anyway. By that time, you can decide which area of engineering to pursue. Depending on the school, waiting until 2nd semester sophomore or 1st semester junior (to select an engineering major) “may” extend your undergrad to 4.5-5 years, but who cares if you end up picking the area you like.</p>
<p>My parents say absolutely no to Aerospace engineering…and unfortunately I must listen to them. I’m hoping mechanical works out, and if not applied physics, or even a physics teacher. I love mechanics and calculus, I’ll be taking AP Calculus BC and AP Physics B and C next year, hoping to place out of intro courses.</p>
<p>thanks for all the good advice! :D</p>
<p>Mechanical engineering is prime because if you play your cards right you could even dance your way into an AeroEng job. Of course the reverse would be true as well, but since AeroEng is off the table, there you go.</p>
<p>I would warn you that physics may or may not have much to do with mechanics at your institution. I know at mine we did mostly quantum. Applied physics is probably a little better, though, but it’s worth checking!</p>
<p>If you are interested in aerospace but “aren’t allowed” to go for it, definitely look into mechanical. You are making the right choice in doing that. I was very interested in aerospace but did mechanical instead because you can do a lot of the same things if you play your cards right, plus the ME degree is more broad so should the aerospace industry go into a slump, you are more marketable outside of the industry.</p>
<p>I did ME as an undergrad and am now working on my PhD in aerospace. There is definitely plenty of overlap.</p>
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<p>If I read this right, you’re taking Physics B AND C next year? Is there any reason you are taking Physics B? Seems quite pointless to me.</p>