Civil Engineering/Power Engineering combination question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision to change majors from Electrical Engineering (EE) to Civil Engineering (CE) while maintaining coursework related to Power Engineering. Participants explore the implications of this combination, particularly in relation to infrastructure, electrical system design, and the potential for working in "Green building" designs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a strong interest in infrastructure and believes that combining CE with EE coursework will be beneficial for future career opportunities.
  • Another participant suggests that an EE degree typically offers higher starting salaries compared to a CE degree, indicating a potential financial trade-off in the decision to switch majors.
  • Concerns are raised about the necessity of having a Professional Engineer (PE) license in EE to approve electrical system designs, with references to local regulations affecting this requirement.
  • Some participants discuss the relevance of electrical knowledge in civil engineering, especially in the context of sustainable construction practices.
  • There is mention of civil engineers who collaborate with EEs for projects like transmission line designs, suggesting a potential overlap in responsibilities.
  • One participant warns that much of the energy research hype may not align with the typical training of civil engineers, advocating for a strong foundation in physics and chemistry.
  • Another participant reflects on their own career path, indicating a desire to branch into areas that combine civil engineering with energy-related research.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the value of combining CE and EE coursework, with some advocating for the switch and others cautioning against it due to potential salary differences and the nature of work in each field. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best path forward for the original poster.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that local regulations may influence the ability to sign off on electrical designs and that the job market for civil engineering is subject to change, which adds complexity to career planning.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a dual focus in civil and electrical engineering, professionals exploring interdisciplinary applications in infrastructure and energy, and those interested in the implications of educational choices on career trajectories in engineering fields.

theman408
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I've decided that I am going to change my major from EE to Civil Engineering and will continue to take my EE classes that only and i repeat only lead up to Power Engineering classes.

In addition to the Civil Eng. degree i will have coursework in Electrical System Design, both commercial, residential and industrial areas(wiring design etc.) and ilumination engineering design experience.

I am fascinated with anything related to infrastructure and seeing how in a couple of years, every building design or green building design and i think this coursework experience will help me a lot.

What do you guys think about this??

Also, if i get my license as a civil engineer, can i still do electrical work if i know how to do it?? Wiring design etc?
 
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theman408 said:
I've decided that I am going to change my major from EE to Civil Engineering and will continue to take my EE classes that only and i repeat only lead up to Power Engineering classes.

In addition to the Civil Eng. degree i will have coursework in Electrical System Design, both commercial, residential and industrial areas(wiring design etc.) and ilumination engineering design experience.

I am fascinated with anything related to infrastructure and seeing how in a couple of years, every building design or green building design and i think this coursework experience will help me a lot.

What do you guys think about this??

Also, if i get my license as a civil engineer, can i still do electrical work if i know how to do it?? Wiring design etc?

I would stick with EE unless you just really love CE because you will on average make more money as an EE.

I believe you'll need a PE stamp to actually approve electrical system designs and since PE's are discipline defined you'll probably need to take the EE PE exam which means you'll need an ABET accredited BSEE or TAC accredited BSET degree. All of this will of course depend on where you live so check with your local PE board.

CS
 
can i do an electrical system design and have a EE PE sign it?

I thought this could be real useful in the new "Green building" designs.
 
no more input?
 
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm#earnings

See table 3 and compare civil to electrical.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
What's wrong with my combination though?

It's not like I am going to have two degrees. Just overall infrastructure experience.
 
theman408 said:
What's wrong with my combination though?

It's not like I am going to have two degrees. Just overall infrastructure experience.

Sounds like you've made up your mind. I didn't even make an argument. I just pointed out the fact that in the US the electrical engineering degree, off the bat, is worth over 10% more than the civil degree.

Typically, electrical engineers design infrastructure technology while civil engineers install it.
 
i know a civil engineer who designs transmission lines and has an EE sign the plans.
 
theman408 said:
i know a civil engineer who designs transmission lines and has an EE sign the plans.

If an EE is signing them then the civil engineer is doing electrical engineering and would be better off with an electrical degree. I'm not trying to argue with you. There's nothing wrong with the civil degree. Just know that you are giving up some money to do a different type of work.

The master's degree starting salaries are probably more representative of people who graduate with a particular degree and stay in that specific field. EEs make $18k/yr more than civil engineers out of grad school (yes this is skewed by demographics, but it's still telling).

Some people love civil, and there are always a range of salaries in any field.
 
  • #10
Yea i understand, don't worry i know ur not arguing hehehe.

THe thing i want to know is that in terms of hands on work and practice. How useful can electrical knowledge be to a Civil Engineer with the upcoming "Green Construction"

At least at my college, they allow Civil/Mechanical engineering students to take Electrical System Design and Ilumination Design courses that lie under Power Engineering.
 
  • #11
theman408 said:
can i do an electrical system design and have a EE PE sign it?

I thought this could be real useful in the new "Green building" designs.

Yes as long as a EE PE approves it. He'll be on the hook for it and not you.

CS
 
  • #12
Most civil people design beams, columns, and slabs. If you like that kind of work, then choose CE.
 
  • #13
I don't think anyone here knows exactly what I am trying to do? lol
 
  • #14
Regarding future career, you won't know for sure what's going to happen. So just study the field of your interest and do well.
 
  • #15
comp_math said:
Regarding future career, you won't know for sure what's going to happen. So just study the field of your interest and do well.

Agreed. But seeing how the Civil Engineering market is right now, a lot of designs will be related to energetic concerns.
 
  • #16
I can only tell you much of it is hype. Real energy research is mostly done by people who are really well versed in physics and chemistry. To be honest, most civil engineering people lack training in such areas. There are exceptions of course (perhaps people who are doing environmental engineering, whose background are strong in chemistry). My background is civil engineering and I am trying to branch off into other areas. You better stick with your EE in your undergraduate and learn some real physics.
 
  • #18
All I'm saying is join a program that will provide you with the real skills and knowledge to tackle problems. Don't follow any hype or job market conditions because they change quickly.
 
  • #19
i've always had the problem deciding, i love infrastructure but then again I've always liked technology. It seems that the bridge between those two is Mechanical Engineering.
 
  • #20
comp_math said:
I can only tell you much of it is hype. Real energy research is mostly done by people who are really well versed in physics and chemistry. To be honest, most civil engineering people lack training in such areas. There are exceptions of course (perhaps people who are doing environmental engineering, whose background are strong in chemistry). My background is civil engineering and I am trying to branch off into other areas. You better stick with your EE in your undergraduate and learn some real physics.


Why are you trying to branch off into other areas ?
Is not environmental engineering close to civil ?
When it comes to energy related to issue, does biomechanic provide any good background ?
 

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