Aerospace engineering vs mechanical engineering

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the difficulty comparison between aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering, asserting that each field has its unique challenges rather than one being categorically harder than the other. Participants emphasize that coursework in aerospace, mechanical, and electrical engineering can be comparably rigorous, with overlapping principles in areas like fluid mechanics and structural engineering. Aerospace engineering is described as a specialized branch of mechanical engineering, particularly in applications like jet engines. The conversation also highlights the importance of personal interest in choosing a major, suggesting that enjoyment of the subject matter is crucial for success. Ultimately, the consensus is that the perceived difficulty should not be the sole factor in deciding on an engineering discipline.
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Is Aerospace engineering harder than Mechanical and Electrical engineering?
 
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I don't think you can say one entity of engineering is 'harder' than another! Each has its own type of difficulty. I think your question is too broad to answer, even though I am not in the forementioned engineering fields (yet). As far as I know, aerospace engineering is very similar to mechanical engineering in terms of material.
 
z-component is correct.

How hard or difficult an engineering course/curriculum is depends on the rigor.

I majored in nuclear engineering and I took required courses in Mech E, EE, as well as Aero E (as a grad student). The course work difficulty was comparable.

Aerospace engineeing is really a specialized area of mechancial engineering. Jet engines are basically turbomachinery power plants whether they produce electricity on the ground or propel aircraft. The aerodynamic flow around an aircraft is fluid flow, as is wind flow around a building or bridge. One could take fluid mechanics/dynamics in mech or aero engineering departments and cover essentially the same material.

Structural engineering applied to aircraft is essentially no different to structural engineering applied to any terrestrial vehicle or structure. Same mechanical principles.

Avionics is an aerospace/electrical engineering hybrid.
 
Don't listen to Astronuc. Aerospace is much much harder...just kidding. If you are woried about it being hard than maybe sociology would be an nice option.
 
Focus on only what you enjoy. You couldn't possibly do any Engineering if you don't enjoy maths.

If you enjoy money, you are probably better off doing Commerce or something. You will be bored in your job, but have cash. This is what I did, but now wish I hadn't!

If you enjoy wiping your bum with expensive bits of paper, then a sociology degree would be handy.

Basically, what you enjoy is easy...in a challenging kind of way.
 
jaap de vries said:
Don't listen to Astronuc. Aerospace is much much harder...just kidding. If you are woried about it being hard than maybe sociology would be an nice option.

I agree. If you're going to decide your major based purely on which is "harder," (and if you are seeking the easy way out) you should probably switch to psych or management/etc business. However, if you -want- the harder option, then I wish you luck in AE, but I'm sure you'll do fine in that case.
 
Due to the constant never ending supply of "cool stuff" happening in Aerospace these days I'm creating this thread to consolidate posts every time something new comes along. Please feel free to add random information if its relevant. So to start things off here is the SpaceX Dragon launch coming up shortly, I'll be following up afterwards to see how it all goes. :smile: https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacex/
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