Change in career direction - biomedical science to Engineering

[Scatterbrains]

I am currently in my honours year of a biomedical science degree in Australia, currently working on my thesis. Recently I've decided I would like to study Aerospace engineering or electronic engineering but have a few problems. Firstly I feel at 23 years of age I am somewhat behind and feel like I may be making a mistake by changing career direction.

I understand math is required to gain entry into such degrees and when I was at school (in the UK) I got away with only studying biology and chemistry at A-level. My brain was incapable of figuring out math and physics and I didn't study them. Now I feel things have changed and I am capable of understanding such concepts, but lack the knowledge and qualifications in math/physics to gain entry into engineering. What would be the best and quickest way to remedy this situation? I have sound knowledge in chemistry and biology which is probably totally irrelevant!

Also, I am not sure where the best place would be to apply for an engineering degree. I originally had plans to move to the Netherlands at the end of this year to do a PhD and would still like to move there as I used to live there aswell. There are 2 technical universities there in Delft and Eindhoven, Delft is from what I understand a reputable university and they offer aerospace engineering. Does anyone know about this programme?

Ultimately I would like to work at the European space agency or anywhere relevant to space vehicles.

Thanks for your time.

 

[leright]

I am currently in my honours year of a biomedical science degree in Australia, currently working on my thesis. Recently I've decided I would like to study Aerospace engineering or electronic engineering but have a few problems. Firstly I feel at 23 years of age I am somewhat behind and feel like I may be making a mistake by changing career direction.

I understand math is required to gain entry into such degrees and when I was at school (in the UK) I got away with only studying biology and chemistry at A-level. My brain was incapable of figuring out math and physics and I didn't study them. Now I feel things have changed and I am capable of understanding such concepts, but lack the knowledge and qualifications in math/physics to gain entry into engineering. What would be the best and quickest way to remedy this situation? I have sound knowledge in chemistry and biology which is probably totally irrelevant!

Also, I am not sure where the best place would be to apply for an engineering degree. I originally had plans to move to the Netherlands at the end of this year to do a PhD and would still like to move there as I used to live there aswell. There are 2 technical universities there in Delft and Eindhoven, Delft is from what I understand a reputable university and they offer aerospace engineering. Does anyone know about this programme?

Ultimately I would like to work at the European space agency or anywhere relevant to space vehicles.

Thanks for your time.

I am from the states, so I am not sure about the educational systems in Europe. The term "A-levels" means nothing to me. In the states a student that is a bit behind in math could enroll in a community college for a year or two and then transfer to a university. The community college will have all of the necessary courses to get a student up to speed in mathematics and the cost to go to such a school is very low. Perhaps there is a similar option in the UK.

 

[karenlau]

I suggest you finish your degree. I am afraid you will regret it someday if you jump here jump there.

 

[Defennder]

Yeah I believe so too. Since you're in your last year you might as well finish up your degree. Unless of course you're bound by laws whereby government tuition fee grants only apply for your first degree and you're worried about funding.

Have you thought about going into a related engineering field such as biomedical engineering or bioengineering?

 

[Scatterbrains]

Thanks for the replies.

I intend to finish my degree so there's no problem there. I had considered biomedical engineering however wanted to keep my options open. Perhaps an electronic engineering degree and then later specialise in the masters years or something.

Mainly the prpoblem I am facing is lack of physics and math credentials which I guess I could remedy somehow.

What is people's opinion on Australian or Dutch engineering degrees?

In regards to your reply leright, "a-levels" are just the UK high school standard for the final year, a bit like TEE in australia or IB.