Electrical, Mechanical, and Computer Engineering Combination

[Alma]

Hello everyone,

(First, I hope this is the right subsection of PhysicsForum for this type of question. I was unsure if this should go into the ME or EE section)

To start, I am trying narrow down my Engineering Interests down to somewhat specific areas to solidify what majors to pursue in college.

Starting college, I struggled with what I really wanted to do for a career. I always have been interested in drawing, building things from random parts, learning how things work, etc. I really like to create things and coming up with new concepts by drawing them out, and then attempting to build them out of cardboard, gears, plastic, whatever I can get my hands on. I also love computers, have not worked with much programming, but want to get more into it in the near future. I also have a big interest in flying.

Having attempted to narrow my interests, I have realized that I love the mechanic’s behind a machine, the electrical connections behind that mechanical machine, and also have been fascinated in the programming that controls and “tells” the electrical wires connecting to the mechanical parts to say, “lift the arm”. In a nut shell, I am very interested in the concept of robots and the mixture of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Engineering that would make a robot “function”. I also am very interested in getting something to fly, but I know this might be stretching the Engineering Fields to far for one profession ( and maybe I will just work with people in this field on various projects).

This is where I struggle. Trying to find a good combination of these three fields of EE, ME, and CE. But in any case, maybe specialize in “Robotics for CE” and “Robotics and Control Systems for EE”;I am still in the process of looking around. Or possibly study the topic of Mechatronics, as I believe it deals with these three areas of interest. I thought these to be possible Engineering combinations:

1.Double Major in ME and EE with a minor in Computer Engineering(specializing in Robotics)

or

2.Double Major in Engineering Physics and Computer Engineering

My questions are:
a.From my interests, would either combinations of 1 or 2 be an adequate mix of Engineering fields? I’m open for suggestions.

b.How does Engineering Physics compare to separate EE and ME majors?

c. Is Mechatronics a good combonation of EE, ME, and CE? I am new to the subject, so please elaborate.

d.Anything you may want to add, or if you’re in these types of fields already, just your general input would be appreciated.

Thank you all very much for reading my post. Your thoughts and input would be greatly appreciated.

-Alma

 

[viscousflow]

a.From my interests, would either combinations of 1 or 2 be an adequate mix of Engineering fields? I’m open for suggestions.

If you are really interested in controls, your best choice is #1

b.How does Engineering Physics compare to separate EE and ME majors?

With respect to controls:
-Engineering Physics is more space oriented with some some space related controls. (I am not aware of an EP course with a focus on controls-someone correct me if I am wrong). Even if there is one it would most likely be space application oriented, not mechatronic oriented.

-ME will give you an excellent base in the dynamics of mechanical control systems
-Likewise EE will give you the necessary base for electrical control systems

c. Is Mechatronics a good combonation of EE, ME, and CE? I am new to the subject, so please elaborate.

This is exactly what mechatronics is, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechatronics

 

[Alma]

Thank you for the reply viscousflow,

If I may ask you a few more questions:

i. So would you say there is a disadvantage/advantage to taking EP in comparison to EE or ME separately? I would assume that EP cuts out some EE and ME classes to make it manageable. Just from researching the different fields, I came into the subject of controls, but am still unfamiliar with it.

ii. Did you choose choice "1" because separate ME and EE go more in depth on controls?

iii. Would a CE minor go well with this combonation? And would you think the three fields are manageable and useful together?

Thanks again,

Alma

 

[viscousflow]

I'll keep my comparisons to mechatronics since that is what you mentioned in your first post.

i. So would you say there is a disadvantage/advantage to taking EP in comparison to EE or ME separately? I would assume that EP cuts out some EE and ME classes to make it manageable. Just from researching the different fields, I came into the subject of controls, but am still unfamiliar with it.

I cannot say anything all encompassing about EP degrees, however, I will tell you what I know from my experience within my university. They start out with the same basic track as most engineering curriculum (ME, EE, Civil E, AE, etc...) however, they start leaning towards a conventional physics degree however with applications and design. That doesn't leave much room for controls, especially mechatronics.

ii. Did you choose choice "1" because separate ME and EE go more in depth on controls?

ME and EE will go explicitly into the dynamics, design and implementation of controls, mechanical and electronic respectively. Also, if I remember correctly EE degrees can have a mechatronics focus (Maybe I am confusing this with CE). Basically what I am saying is, you'll be experiencing controls more in depth (mechanical and electrical) with these degrees for sure as opposed to a lucky fly by in EP.

iii. Would a CE minor go well with this combonation? And would you think the three fields are manageable and useful together?

I think if you did those three, you would then have a near perfect tri-fecta to tackle anything in controls you would ever want to be involved with.

Hopefully someone else on the board can share more insight into this as I am mainly aircraft controls oriented as opposed to mechatronics.