<p>engineering preparation? - aside from the actual core Physics courses which I will be taking next year. I am at least intuitively familiar with a lot of engineering concepts, and I want to go into the courses only needing to fully refine mastery of the courses, and, of course, gain experience by repetition, etc.</p>
<p>SCHAUM'S OUTLINE SERIES
THEORY AND PROBLEMS OF
PHYSICS
FOR ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
circa 1983</p>
<p>I have a couple Schaum's books and I think they're good supplements for extra problems to practice, but shouldn't really replace a textbook.</p>
<p>If you're eager to start studying some engineering concepts this summer, I'd get textbooks instead so that you can understand the actual concepts, instead of just how to solve the problems. More specifically, I've found Halliday and Resnick to be a great intro. physics text and Chemistry: The Molecular Science by Moore, Jurs, etc. to be good for chem. Also, it might be helpful to look up which textbooks you need for next year and start going through those.</p>
<p>Actually, now that I think about it, I do have a Schaum's Engineering Mechanics book. If I can find a Schaum's Engineering book of Thermodynamics, Strength of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, etc., I'll be alright.</p>
<p>If you really want to get a feel for engineering, instead of studying all the stuff that you're going to learn with everyone else anyhow, I recommend you read some more colloquial books about engineering. Here are some civi-flavored ones to check out:</p>
<p>The Art of Construction by Mario Salvadori
It's actually a kids' book, but it isn't written as such. It can be read by adults as just a quick read. It's a fantastic book written so that anybody can understand how buildings work, and what sorts of forces come into play. Amazingly written, amazingly illustrated... It's the book that first got me interested in structural engineering when I was about eight.</p>
<p>Why Buildings Stand Up by Mario Salvadori
Here's Salvadori's book for adults. I like his other book better, but it's a fantastic tour of the ideas involved in engineering. Basically, it's structural analysis and mechanics of materials packaged so that the normal, everyday dude on the street doesn't freak out and run away.</p>
<p>Why Buildings Fall Down by Matthys Levy and Mario Salvadori
"To the memory of my mother-in-law, Judith Bookman, who, upon receiving on her ninety-second birthday the first copy of Why Buildings Stand Up, said matter-of-factly: 'This is nice, but I would be much more interested in reading why they fall down.' -Mario G. Salvadori"</p>
<p>A Visual Dictionary of Architecture by Francis D. K. Ching
I keep this one on my bookshelves at work. It's a lot of fun to look at, but it's also incredibly informative for remembering what the difference is between joists, girders, girts, beams, stringers, headers, and what-have-you.</p>
<p>Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down by J. E. Gordon
The New Science of Strong Materials: Or Why You Don't Fall Through the Floor by J. E. Gordon
I haven't gotten to these two yet, but I've got 'em on my shelf. Stay in structural/civil engineering long enough and your relatives will buy all these sorts of books as presents for you eventually. These two look interesting, I just haven't had time to read them yet.</p>
<p>I know I'm being a little pedantic. I just want to have a high GPA. I actually have A Visual Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction Illustrated. I've skimmed through those books before, but there's just SO much information in them.</p>
<p>The point is that too much emphasis in engineering is placed on technical superiority. Instead of reading books with equations and tons of information, try reading some books about engineering, engineering theory, etc.</p>
<p>The truth is, these days, technical knowledge is only going to get you so far. Almost everyone's going to know their thermo/Maxwell/mechanics equations and know how to solve for x and optimize whatever.</p>
<p>Engineering is much more systems oriented...too many times, people get bogged down by the details and fail to take a holistic look at things. It's the system-oriented thinkers, those who can manipulate the environment in which they work, that are promoted into higher positions and management.</p>
<p>And in your design class, knowing equations and mastering the technical detail is not solely going to get you a high GPA. It's that systems-oriented approach that makes design difficult.</p>
<p>I'd recommend to read anything by Petroski as a good place to start.</p>
<p>Ditto the recommendations to read anything by Petroski. His books are great.</p>
<p>Good post, Cherrybarry.</p>
<p>"Engineering is much more systems oriented...too many times, people get bogged down by the details and fail to take a holistic look at things. It's the system-oriented thinkers, those who can manipulate the environment in which they work, that are promoted into higher positions and management.</p>
<p>And in your design class, knowing equations and mastering the technical detail is not solely going to get you a high GPA. It's that systems-oriented approach that makes design difficult."</p>
<p>Which books can I read that will help me do just that?</p>
<p>That's kind of like saying, "Which books can I read that will help me be a concert pianist?"</p>
<p>It's something that takes reading articles, reading non-textbook books (like those Salvadori and Petroski books we've mentioned... also, anything by Feynman), and keeping your eyes and ears open. Gawk at construction sites. Talk to other engineers. Read everything you can get your hands on, especially when things don't go correctly. Sometimes we learn more about systems and structures when things go wrong than when things go right.</p>
<p>So, watch for things. Think about things, throughout your entire education. That's pretty much the only thing that will help you get an overall view of what's going on.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Sometimes we learn more about systems and structures when things go wrong than when things go right.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I knew my somewhat morbid curiosity of aircraft accidents would pay off someday...</p>