More fun ? mechancial vs. electrical

In summary, electrical engineering may be more "fun" for someone with an interest in mathematics, while mechanical engineering may be more "fun" for someone with an interest in physics.
  • #1
Ralff
8
0
More "fun"? mechancial vs. electrical

I am currently a student at a university finishing my last semester completing a BS in mathematics and a concentration in physics (engineering emphasis). After I graduate, I am going to pursue a BS in engineering before going to graduate school for engineering. I am struggling with the decision of whether I should pursue mechanical or electrical engineering. I have taken related courses outside of my math degree such as

- Statics
- Dynamics
- Thermodynamics
- Circuit Analysis
- Engineering Physics I & II
- Electromagnetism
- Modern Physics
- General Chemistry I & II
- Intro to computer science (C++)

I am not interested in making a choice based on salary. In the future, I would like to create something practical and useful and start a company with a friend, who is currently going to graduate school for mechanical engineering. I would like to take my math degree into consideration when making my decision, but ultimately, I want to choose what I will enjoy most.

I have been struggling with the decision greatly, and I believe more insight on both fields would help me a lot.

Essentially, why do you think mechanical will be more “fun” than electrical engineering, or why do you think electrical will be more “fun” than mechanical engineering?

Also, what advice might you have for making this decision considering my mathematics background?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2


First and foremost, what you think is fun is really subjective. From a general standpoint, I would presume you may find electrical engineering more "fun" primarily based on your background. Electrical engineering is a lot more mathematics (signal processing, control theory etc.) than physics; although there is plenty of physics involved.
 
  • #3


I apologize if I am not clear. I am just curious to hear what other engineers and engineering students personally find most fun in their respective area of engineering whether it be electrical or mechanical.

I appreciate your comment; it does seem that electrical is much more mathematical than mechanical.
 
  • #4


Ralff said:
I apologize if I am not clear. I am just curious to hear what other engineers and engineering students personally find most fun in their respective area of engineering whether it be electrical or mechanical.

I appreciate your comment; it does seem that electrical is much more mathematical than mechanical.

I am about to graduate in ME and I have taken electrical courses for 4 semesters (Circuits, Electric Machines,Electronics, Digital Logic Fundamentals). EE mathematics is very easy compared to mathematics in Mechanical Engineering and I can say that with 100% confidence. We have taken 6 math courses (Calculus,ODEs & linear algebra,Vector calculus,PDEs & Fourier Analysis,Numerical Methods, Probability & Statistics) and during all these courses, I found their application in mechanical engineering much more than EE. Pick any advanced mathematics book and you will find problems related to modeling of flow, structural analysis, geometry which are all studied in ME much more than problems related to EE. Try to look into Finite Element Method and you will realize the level of mathematics involved in ME
 
  • #5


It depends on your interest. I choose EE because I wanted to know how a computer worked. After getting into EE my interests branched out into other EE fields, but the computational/algorithmic side of things always was the most interesting to me. Figure out what interests you and what field that is in...

Math wise you can get really deep no matter if you go mechanical or electrical. In fact, in many cases the math is very similar between some mechanical and electrical areas. For example, Laplace's equation and all the methods involved in solving it are used for electrostatics, steady-state heat conduction, and incompressible fluid flow. The same methods of Fourier analysis used to study mechanical vibrations are used for signal analysis. Even finite element analysis is used in both fields: for antennas, microwave circuits etc for EE and heat transfer, stress problems, etc in ME. One of the cool things about the physics behind both is that the equations that describe two totally separate things are so similar.

If you choose to get away from the mathematical/physics base, EE has more area to cover. Areas such as communication theory primarily rely on probability and statistics and areas such as computer architecture can involve little physics based math.
 
  • #6


I am very interested in the computational/algorithmic side of things too. One of the most interesting classes I've taken is numerical analysis. I am not so interested in fluid dynamics and heat transfer.

I feel that the overall course work for electrical engineering seems more interesting than mechanical engineering, but looking at curriculums from different universities, I find the course on mechatronics to seem the most interesting, which is a mechanical engineering class more on the electrical side.

I am afraid if I pursue electrical engineering, I will never learn how things work mechanically. For example, if I took apart a watch, RC car, or some small mechanical/electronic device, would I be totally lost as an electrical engineer?

I don't mean to seem ignorant, but I am trying to make a decision, which will affect my future career, and I really want to be doing something that I enjoy. I appreciate the comments; they are definitely helpful.
 
  • #7


Something like mechatronics might be a good compromise. One of the main attributes you should have when you graduate is the ability to teach yourself what you need to know (including other engineering areas besides your own).

For example, one project I worked on I created a Simulink model of a hydraulic system to test control algorithms. Going into it I knew almost nothing about hydraulics except a very high level view of the components involved. But you get a couple of books/papers and start crunching through the math behind how servo valves, pumps, and actuators operate and build up a model. I still am not a hydraulic expert but I probably know as much as someone who has taken a couple of undergraduate classes in it.
 
  • #8


Ralff said:
I am very interested in the computational/algorithmic side of things too. One of the most interesting classes I've taken is numerical analysis. I am not so interested in fluid dynamics and heat transfer.

I feel that the overall course work for electrical engineering seems more interesting than mechanical engineering, but looking at curriculums from different universities, I find the course on mechatronics to seem the most interesting, which is a mechanical engineering class more on the electrical side.

I am afraid if I pursue electrical engineering, I will never learn how things work mechanically. For example, if I took apart a watch, RC car, or some small mechanical/electronic device, would I be totally lost as an electrical engineer?

I don't mean to seem ignorant, but I am trying to make a decision, which will affect my future career, and I really want to be doing something that I enjoy. I appreciate the comments; they are definitely helpful.

Go for electrical engineering all the way! Certainly not all, but a huge portion of mechanical engineering is building HVAC systems including all the duct work! Maybe that's your thing...maybe its not.

As far as not understanding mechanical...that's impossible! All engineering ties together in some type of way.

As far as an RC car for example...yes I get the electrical...but I certainly get the mechancial as well. I may not be able to write differential equations for it...but I understand it has a axles, rims, tires, bearings, steering with tie rods, suspension with springs and shock absorbers, it has a main frame...etc. And if i really put my mind to it I probably could write a differential equation for the shock abosorbers and so forth. Engineering is engineering.

Same thing goes if you were mechanical...you would at least understand the electric part of the car fairly well...maybe not as good as an EE...but close enough!
 
  • #9


Thanks. All the comments have been very helpful.

psparky, I will take that into consideration for sure; HVAC, duct work doesn't sound like fun to me.

I have been doing a lot of thinking, and currently, I am a math major, and I enjoy it a lot. So, it makes sense find an area in engineering where I can make use of it. Numerical analysis and advanced calculus, the more algorithmic type of courses, are the most interesting to me.

Looking at the different technical areas of engineering, I feel like dynamic systems and controls seem the most interesting for me. I do not know a lot about them, but it seems like they have a very mathematical aspect, and I notice that in a lot of different curriculums, controls are sometimes in mechanical and sometimes in electrical. So, could this be a good middle ground? What do people in dynamic systems and controls study in mechanical or electrical engineering?
 
  • #10


Mechanical engineers in dynamics labs frequently study non-linear vibrations. Really neat stuff. You get to do fun math.
 

1. What are the main differences between mechanical and electrical fun?

The main difference between mechanical and electrical fun is the source of energy used to power the activity. Mechanical fun involves physical forces and movements, while electrical fun relies on electricity to create movement or stimulation.

2. Which type of fun is more popular?

This can vary depending on personal preferences and cultural influences. Some people may enjoy the hands-on experience of mechanical fun, while others may prefer the convenience and versatility of electrical fun. Ultimately, both types of fun can be equally popular.

3. Are there any safety concerns with electrical fun?

Yes, there are some safety concerns with electrical fun. It is important to follow proper instructions and precautions when using electrical devices, especially around water or in wet conditions. It is also important to use devices with proper insulation and to avoid overloading electrical circuits.

4. Can mechanical and electrical fun be combined?

Yes, it is possible to combine mechanical and electrical elements to create a unique and fun experience. For example, a mechanical ride at an amusement park may incorporate electrical lights and sound effects to enhance the fun.

5. What are some examples of mechanical and electrical fun?

Examples of mechanical fun include rides at amusement parks, sports activities such as biking or rollerblading, and hands-on crafting or building projects. Electrical fun can include video games, virtual reality experiences, electronic toys, and musical instruments.

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
1K
  • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • STEM Career Guidance
2
Replies
47
Views
5K
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
568
  • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
3
Views
794
Back
Top