I want to major in computer science but I also want to double major in something else. I really like robotics, especially those RC copter drones that are coming out, but I don’t know which engineering major would be the best to choose as my double major. I thought about aerospace because I like those RC drones but I think thats a bit too far, so now I’m stuck between mechanical and electrical. Since I’m doing cs, I thought electrical would be better but isn’t most of of robotics mechancial though? I’m just confused, so anyone have their own opinions?
Why do you fee you need to get 2 engineering degrees?
@boneh3ad because I really like cs but I dont think cs alone could be good enough to actually make hardware things like an rc copter or other stuff similar
Robotics is a mixture of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. You don’t need multiple degrees to work in this area. Any one of those will allow you to do that. If you’re interested in the electronics or the hardware, then a degree in mechanical or electrical engineering might be better suited to you. ME or EE can also give you the latitude to work on the controls side, if you find that you prefer writing code and developing control schemes. With a CS degree, you probably wouldn’t find yourself working on the actual electromechanical systems.
Furthermore, aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering are pretty much the same, aside from a handful of upper level aero-specific courses, at most schools.
If your interest is to “make hardware” then you shouldn’t be in CS anyway. Two degrees is not better than one and ultimately will cost you more time and money and will be at best neutral when it comes to looking for jobs. If you want to do the actual mechanical hardware side of robotics or some of the dynamics and controls, do mechanical engineering. If you want to do controls or electrical hardware, do electrical engineering. If you want to do software, stick with CS. They will all likely involve plenty of programming anyway, just of different sorts.
@hammad22, you may want to read about the concentration Mechatronics. People certainly work in the same areas without the official name on their degree and some debate its validity, but it melds either a bit of EE/CE/CS into an ME degree or a bit of ME/CE/CS into an EE degree. When people think of mechanical things that are electronically controlled, robots often come to mind. Mechatronics covers a much broader range though. Computer printers, artificial hearts, and pipeline mapping “smart pigs” are classic examples. Things that move with electricity and have some sort of “brain” for control are mechatronic devices. It might be what you’re looking for.
sorry to interrupt, but one of my kids is interested in mechatronics but can’t find any schools that offer a degree in it. do you know any? or would you study say mechanical eng and minor in the other areas>
Mechatronics is a concentration of ME or EE. It’s not a major or minor per se. Most engineering disciplines are broad and allow students to narrow their focus. For example, at my son’s school MEs can choose no concentration, HVAC, mechatronics or manufacturing (even though they also offer a BS in Manufacturing Engineering). Good luck.
In my opinion, mechanical engineering would be a good addition. You could minor in it. Also some schools offer CS with a robotics concentration (human intelligence) or mechanical engineering with a robotics concentration. GT is one example