Bad state of engineering R-working on empirical data

[marellasunny]

I work as a research assistant in a ceramics laboratory,a very reputed university.I model and analyse internal stress of certain mechanical components,its super-fun.But,the bad part is when I have use the empirical data and fit into an model.Take for example the mathematical modelling of phase transformations during quenching,tempering ...etc(i.e transient heat conduction problems).These models involve beautiful math,but my supervisor doesn't encourage us getting into the mathematics.I work on finite element models and I don't even have the opportunity to make one of my own.Its all pre-defined and boring.Why has engineering research become like this?Its worse in the companies from what I heard.

I want to take up research involving hard-core mathematics,where I can use my brain. Should I try and get a degree in applied mathematics for this?I have a degree in automotive engineering.

 

[chiro]

Hey marellasunny.

This just my opinion, but I think you're going to get more messy mathematics in engineering or something like physics or actuarial science than mathematics. I'm not saying you can't find it, but just that IMO it's more probable to find it the real applied areas.

Maybe I'm misreading you so it might be useful to get from you what hard-core mathematics is: personally I think some of the stuff in some of the engineering disciplines would be a lot more full on than some of the stuff in some of the applied mathematics areas.