<p>Hey guys, </p>
<p>I wanted your responses on why you chose engineering over the other majors?
Also have a quick question, I am very strong in math, but I lack in science. I have gotten C+'s for chemistry, and physics. This is partially due to laziness. I understand the concepts, but I don't know what to do on a physics problem or a chemistry problem. Now I was wondering which engineering field has the least amount of science needed. </p>
<p>Thanks,
gotmilklol</p>
<p>waste management engineering</p>
<p>no seriously. engineering is basically applied science. good luck with any engineering major.</p>
<p>I would have to agree with Syoware that engineering (at least so far for me) is basically applied sciences. Most of my classes are higher-math-heavy applied in physics or electric systems, which is mostly physics anyway (I’m EE, btw, so this comes from an EE point of view). </p>
<p>You might want to see if your school offers a major in applied mathematics, that might be a much better path for you.</p>
<p>There are several reasons to choose engineering (the cool factor, how easy it is, the glamorous lifestyle, the women…) but the real question is “why are YOU considering it?” You have described yourself as lazy, and noted that although you get the math and the concepts you are unable to apply them - these are all big warning signs for potential engineers!! Applied math may be an answer, and so might computer science, but any real engineering degree sounds like it will be a real challenge for you!!</p>
<p>Anybody else have responses?</p>
<p>Major in Computer Science! It’s not technically engineering but you might consider the Software Engineering we do as engineering. The upper division CS courses are basically applied math. The only science we do is a year of physics (which sucks by the way) but just get over that.</p>
<p>The reasons we chose are not neccesarily relevant - I chose engineering without knowing what it was, and got lucky because it turned out I like it and am good at it. But all engineering is about problem solving. Your post sounds like that might be an issue for you, and I recommend you at least consider other majors. My S has decided that computer science and math are a better fit for him - despite his genes, he would rather play with math equations and do proofs all day. I have friends that stuck it out in engineering, and now are doing non-engineering work in an engineering company - their major helped them to relate to the engineers on the job. So often you can find something that fits you regardless of your major. But you will get more out of college if the major fits.</p>
<p>@skbryan</p>
<p>How exactly is it applied math? I’m very interested.</p>
<p>I chose engineering because I enjoyed problem-solving and critical thinking, and I was also good at Physics and Calculus in high school. Liberal Arts and Business both seemed boring (still do for the most part), and I couldn’t envision myself as a scientist… after that the choices are pretty limited.</p>
<p>I chose my field based on what interested me for a career. I was lucky enough to know what I wanted to do early on.</p>
<p>I liked math and the idea that it could be used to design buildings. I also thought engineering was a more practical degree than piano performance, the other major I considered.</p>
<p>@Intervenient</p>
<p>Well you learn Discrete Mathematics, which has applications to CS. Cryptography, algorithm analysis using equations, plus more that I haven’t got to yet.</p>
<p>“Theoretical computer science includes areas of discrete mathematics relevant to computing. It draws heavily on graph theory and logic. Included within theoretical computer science is the study of algorithms for computing mathematical results. Computability studies what can be computed in principle, and has close ties to logic, while complexity studies the time taken by computations. Automata theory and formal language theory are closely related to computability. Petri nets and process algebras are used to model computer systems, and methods from discrete mathematics are used in analyzing VLSI electronic circuits. Computational geometry applies algorithms to geometrical problems, while computer image analysis applies them to representations of images. Theoretical computer science also includes the study of various continuous computational topics.”</p>
<p>[Discrete</a> mathematics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrete_mathematics]Discrete”>Discrete mathematics - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>I majored in computer science as an undergrad. In addition to discrete math, I also took a course in numerical computing, which illustrated how advanced mathematical concepts could be used to solve various programming problems.</p>
<p>I agree with the above posters - if your strength is math and you are not excited about science, there are other majors you should consider. Comp sci is one, or actuarial science.</p>
<p>[Be</a> An Actuary](<a href=“http://www.beanactuary.org/about/whatis.cfm]Be”>http://www.beanactuary.org/about/whatis.cfm)</p>
<p>The only concern I have (sorry to hijack the topic), is that I’m decent at math, but no where near where I would particularly good at it, and I’m a CS major. I do however, love the logical thinking behind CS</p>
<p>Am I over my head?</p>
<p>Not necessarily intervenient.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I wanted to be the first human to step on Mars.</p>
<p>Here’s my not-so-noble answer for a decision made 30 years ago: because of a good-looking guy and the potential to make money. Do I hear a collective gasp?</p>
<p>Had no clue what it was. I liked math, hated science. Didn’t have calc in HS. Only took 9th grade physical science, then physics in 12th grade because another science was required and that’s what seniors took. Was put in remedial chemistry as an undeclared engrg major and loved it. Ended up majoring in ChE. Lots of science, not all rosy. Worked as an engr for a number of years. Might have ended up in a non-technical part of a technical company but do something completely different now (teach ESL). Not everyone knows what they like at 18 and not everyone follows the same path to figure it out. You may have to be exposed to more subjects/fields to find what you like and many HSs can’t accommodate that. Changing majors is not the end of the world (although you’ll have to consider the financial effect). It’s good that you’re looking for answers but you don’t have to have them all before you start college. Or are things that different in 2011 . . ?</p>
<p>H is a EE (definitely has the engr gene) and he always said it was mostly applied math. </p>
<p>So why are you considering engineering?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Common misperception… you don’t need to be an engineer to be an astronaut. I’ve actually met a Vet that’s been in space with NASA.</p>
<p>Like MainLonghorn, my son agonized between engineering and music performance (made more difficult since he was admitted to several music conservatories!) Anyway, he originally wanted to be an intellectual property lawyer and intended to go from engineering to law school. Then, he realized how much he enjoyed engineering itelf. He ended up going to get his MSME and MBA with a goal of working in a management capacity for an engineering company. Point is this: goals change. You have to just start out somewhere. It is easier to go from engineering to something else as opposed to switching into engineering. If you have any inkling to do engineering, start there. But whatever you do… do your best so that you have many options as you go along. My son decided not to do the music, for example, but he could have. </p>
<p>Re: chem and physics, I think it depends on what engineering major you do. My son really enjoyed math and physics, and they were essential for mechanical engineering. The only chemistry he took was freshman year (lucky, since he didn’t enjoy chem very much.)</p>
<p>I was “good enough” at Math and wanted to make at least decent money without having to do years of school like medicine or law.</p>