Advanced Diploma in Electromechanical Engineering Technology: My Journey

[Raizy]

I'm planning on taking a 3-year Advanced Diploma in a college for Electromechanical Engineering Technology. If I do well in this program, then I will transfer to an undergraduate engineering program at some university.

I've been thinking, if the Technology program is equivalent to just some of the basics of engineering, what could I teach myself during the free-time I'll have while in college? It would be so nice if all the self-taught materials will ease off some of the mental stress from the undergraduate program. I know it's going to very stressful based off all the talks going on in the forums, and the fact that I am not gifted in anything. I really have no idea. Do you folks think I should just relax, and just focus on doing well in this course? Maybe spend the time mastering CAD or anything else related to the course, instead of trying to self-teach myself X,Y,Z random topics with no teacher to give me feedback on incorrect understanding?

Here are the topics that I'll be learning:

Term 1
Math (no other details given)
Concepts and Mechanical Applications - CAD1 Applications
Applied Mechanics 1
Health, Work and Safety
Mechanical Drafting Fundamentals
Applied Electricity
Technology: Apocalypse or Eden? (This, I am not sure what it is...)

Term 2
Applied Math
Applied Mechanics 2
Computer Assisted Design for 3D models
Computer Applied Mechanical (??)
Industrial Practices
Engineering Materials and Testing
Practical Circuits

Term 3
Differential Calculus
Mechanicals (??) of Materials
PLC 1
Fundamentals of Robotics
Electro Pneumatics
Fluid Power
Cross College General Education

Term 4
Integral Calculus
Mechanical Power Transformers
PLC 2
Instrumentation and Process Control
CAD/CAM Project
Motors and Controls
Cross College General Education

Term 5
Statistics
Energy Systems 1
Applications Software and Sold Modeling
PLC Applications
Fluid Mechanics
Electronics Devices and Circuits
General Education Elective

Term 6
International Standards
HVAC
Materials and Plant Layout
Systems Integration
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Industrial Management
Projects and Report

 

[djeitnstine]

Most of your work is sophmore standard. There's not much I can say, because junior level work is obviously a little more specialized. Unless you want to read EE Tech books =)

Honestly I think you should relax, cus you'll be hit hard in your undergrad courses.

Oh an master CAD if you like it =D

 

[Raizy]

Oh an master CAD if you like it =D

Yeah, I think I will. I always fantasize about designing random stuff. I'll re-design anything to my imagination's content; too much video games.

 

[uman]

 

[mplayer]

I'm in my junior year of EE and there are a few things that I would suggest at least familiarizing yourself with for later classes.

-make sure to develop good trig skills, it will save time if they are second nature, lots of "phasor" diagrams will be coming your way later

-get a general understanding of how linear algebra is done, it is used very much in DC and AC circuit analysis classes

-we use a CAD program called PSPICE to approach more complex network analysis problems; may want to familiarize yourself with that, it'd be a big advantage to you if you are a whiz at it by the time you get to university...there's a free version of it linked: http://www.eng.auburn.edu/~troppel/91pspstu.exe"

-the program MATLAB is sometimes used to solve large sets of simultaneous linear equations that you set up on paper from a circuit diagram - not often though in my experience.

-get a TI89 with a simultaneous equation solver APP on it, very useful, and in general learn how to use that calculator well and become familiar with the formats: polar form vs rectangular form. Generally, you will want Angle set to Degrees.