Going to go to University of Texas in Austin. Should I study EE or ME?

[Governergrim]

To clarify, I am interested in working with energy transformation and conversion (the power grid specifically). This is the track for EE I found there with an emphasis on Power systems:

http://www.ece.utexas.edu/undergraduate/technical_areas.cfm

These are the areas of study in ME:

http://www.engr.utexas.edu/undergraduate/programs/319-me

I have read on these boards that for power systems one is better off going into ME. But it seems like at UT I'm better off going into EE. Is this correct or am I missing something? Thanks for any and all assistance.

 

[TonyG]

Hello there,

Thank you for your interest in energy transformation and conversion. It's great to see that you're considering both electrical engineering (EE) and mechanical engineering (ME) as potential tracks for your studies.

To answer your question, both EE and ME have a strong emphasis on power systems at the University of Texas (UT). The key difference between the two is the approach they take in studying power systems.

EE focuses on the electrical aspects of power systems, such as generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. This includes topics like power electronics, control systems, and renewable energy systems. On the other hand, ME focuses on the mechanical aspects of power systems, such as designing and maintaining machinery used in power generation and distribution.

Ultimately, both tracks can lead to a career in the power grid industry. It really depends on your specific interests and the type of work you want to do. If you're more interested in the electrical and electronic components of power systems, EE might be the better fit for you. However, if you're more interested in the mechanical aspects, then ME might be the better choice.

I suggest exploring the course curriculum for both tracks and talking to current students or professors in each department to get a better understanding of the focus and opportunities within each program. Additionally, internships and research opportunities in your desired field can also give you valuable experience and help guide your decision.

I hope this helps clarify things for you. Best of luck in your studies and future career in energy transformation and conversion.