Double Major EE & ME: Benefits & Robotics Opportunities

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential benefits and challenges of pursuing a double major in Electrical Engineering (EE) and Mechanical Engineering (ME), particularly in relation to career opportunities in robotics and mechatronics. Participants explore the implications of such a dual focus on employability and academic workload.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that a double major in EE and ME could open new job prospects, particularly in interdisciplinary fields like mechatronics.
  • Others argue that pursuing both majors may not significantly enhance employability, as graduates are typically hired for one specific field.
  • Concerns are raised about the feasibility of completing a double major within a standard timeframe, with some indicating it may take longer than four years.
  • One participant notes that robotics is primarily associated with ME, while another mentions that EE requires substantial dedication and time commitment.
  • Some express uncertainty about the quality of education at state schools compared to more prestigious institutions, with varying opinions on the impact of this on student capabilities.
  • A participant shares their experience of switching to EE after consulting with an advisor, suggesting a preference for the EE program over ME.
  • Another participant describes their commitment to dual majoring while managing a heavy course load, indicating the challenges of balancing both disciplines.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the value and practicality of a double major in EE and ME, with no clear consensus reached. Some believe it is beneficial, while others caution against the workload and potential lack of direct employment opportunities in both fields.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the varying academic pressures and personal experiences that influence their perspectives on double majoring, including prior academic paths and the impact of course loads on graduation timelines.

ktpr2
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Do any new job prospects open if you double major in EE and ME? And isn't that kind of like mechtronics?

I'm a year and a half into ME (taking calc III next semester) and I'm thinking I should've been in EE all along ... but ME has it's interesting points. My passion is in robotics and artifical intelligence/computer vision (which is softer than EE). What would you recomend? I have a 4.0 gpa but it's at a state school (new mexico state u) *shrugs*
 
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Why you say it's at a state school as though that is something bad? or is it? I think the University of Waterloo (in Canada) is good for those inter-disciplinary fields. So yes, Mechatronics is more or less EE & ME.
 
the OP does not think too highly of a state school, because of the general lower quality of students there.

i got straight A's in calc & physics, & circuits at junior college, but it doesn't mean anything. Those classes didn't test or push me to my limit.

i have a 3.85, but i bet people at UC Berkeley EECS w/ a 2.9 would kick my ass on the GRE anyday.
 
I'm finding, that once you get to your junior and senior year, the students get a bit better, so my current view is cloudy because a lot of people will drop out anyway. I have this view because i went through college before, with a previous degree. So state schools aren't bad once your get to the upperclassmen level (in certain fields) But I don't want that to be the focus of my thread :)

Is it realistic to major in ME and EE or is it to hard? It would seem like they'd share almost everything. But I do not know for sure. Also, if I feel that I lean more towards EE anyway, would it make more sense to switch to EE, as ME would add little to my employability? Any opinons? I was told that NMSU was a good school for EE (not the best by any means, but decent).
 
As far as I know, EE requires a lot of dedication. It's not really something you want to devote half of your time on. It may be possible though, but I would suggest taking it slowly and not trying to cram it into 4 years.
 
robotics is primarily an ME topic, at least from what I've seen at my school.
 
Hmm, I'm getting somewhat conflicting answers. I think I'll bring this up with my so-called adviser on campus.
 
Yeah you probably should. Here at UNM there is a BS of Engineering Option of "Manufacturing Engineering and Robotics Option" offered through the ME Deparment. It looks to be an ME degree, but with an extra EE class or two, and some specific ME electives.
 
Well I met with my advisor. it doens't really make sense to major in ME and EE beause Id get hired to do one of those fields, not both. Also, the EE school is a bit better than the ME school (Kilpsch School of EE i guess). I'm meeting with the EE advisor next week and it looks like I'm well on my way to switching to the dark side :)
 
  • #10
I'd say go for the double major...even thought you will primarily be working in one of the two areas of engineering, you will be an invaluable resource if you have some background in the other area. You will be an interface between the two engineering departments.
 
  • #11
well i was told that it'd take a looong time to double major and i'd only be hired for one position related to a major. I might become a manager type and yes that would be useful but that's a long ways off. No one stuides engineering so they can fill their life long dream of being an manager
:)
 
  • #12
Switched to EE. Only have to take two more courses and I also have a good start into the degree program (2.5 years left).
 
  • #13
I am dual majoring in ME and EE, and I am going to do a computer engineering concentration. I would love to get into robotics or mechatronics. However, it is impossible to do it in 4 years, and it is even somewhat hard to do in 5 years, but I am going to stick it out. I will be taking 18 credit hour loads until the day I graduate, even with the extra year. However, I did waste 13 credits on chemistry because I was a chem major briefly, so that put me behind...

When I get done with my dual degree, I will have a grand total of 178 credits. Jesus, it makes me sick just to type that's 47 additional credits beyond the EE degree!
 

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