Grad School Admission Dilemma: Mechanical Engineering vs. Mathematics Background

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a participant's conditional acceptance into a graduate program in mechanical engineering despite having an undergraduate degree in mathematics. The participant is required to take a fluid mechanics course to gain full admission, although they have completed an advanced fluid mechanics course at the graduate level. The conversation explores the rationale behind the school's requirement and the differences between the courses taken.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the relevance of others' agreement with the school's decision, suggesting that the participant should explain their situation to the university directly.
  • Another participant notes the ambiguity of the situation, emphasizing the need to understand the differences between the advanced fluid mechanics course taken and the required course.
  • It is proposed that the required course may focus more on engineering applications, which could differ from the theoretical emphasis of the participant's previous course.
  • A later reply acknowledges the distinction between a physics course with an engineering title and the engineering-focused course, indicating a potential gap in practical engineering techniques.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of the school's requirement, with some suggesting it may be justified based on course content while others feel it may be unnecessary given the participant's prior coursework. No consensus is reached regarding the appropriateness of the school's decision.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the lack of detailed information about the specific courses involved, which may affect the discussion's conclusions. The emphasis on different perspectives in engineering versus theoretical approaches remains unresolved.

member 428835
Hi pf!

I was wondering if any of you can lend your opinion on my situation: I've been conditionally accepted into a graduate school for mechanical engineering although my undergrad was in mathematics. Evidently to gain full admission I am required to take a 300 level course, namely fluid mechanics. However, I have taken, from this university, the advanced fluid mechanics at the 500 level (yes, I received graduate credit for this).

My question is, do you agree with the schools decision? If so can you explain why? If not, please let me know.

Thanks a ton! For the record, yes, I am going to contact the university to make sure they are aware of the situation, but I wanted to seek advice before talking with them.

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I would argue that it is really irrelevant whether or not people on pf agree with the school's decision. All that can be done is you can explain to the school that you've taken advanced fluid mechanics and think that the requirement you take fluid mechanics there is unnecessary.

They will ultimately decide what they decide and then you can choose whether or not to attend.
 
Thanks for the reply, and while you're being logical, this is something I'm aware of. I'm trying to think of reasons why they would enforce this...again, thanks for the reply
 
Without knowing more about the course that you took and the course they want you to take, this is a very unclear situation. You did your undergraduate degree in math, so would I be wrong to assume that the fluid mechanics course you took had a greater emphasis on the theory behind fluid mechanics (i.e. it was a physics course)? If so, maybe they want you to take the course they offer because it offers a greater emphasis on the engineering aspects of fluid mechanics.

If this is in fact the case, the degree to which I would accept taking the course would depend on how comfortable you are with 'an engineer's perspective'. Specifically, I mean knowing the techniques in engineering classes for project planning, making approximations, etc... that sometimes aren't taught in theory oriented classes.

That's my two cents, good luck!
 
That's an interesting thought (your entire post). And thinking about it, yes, I was taking a physics course with an engineering title...thanks, you've given me some thought here.
 

Similar threads

Admissions Graduating a year early anxieties + grad school
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Admissions Sincerely seeking graduate school admission advice
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
Admissions Advice to enhance my profile for grad school
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Admissions Graduate school admission chances
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Graduate School Advice regarding Arvix
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Admissions Research Experience for Graduate School
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
5K
Is a Low CGPA a Deal Breaker for Grad School Admissions?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
5K
Admissions What are my chances of being admitted into good graduate schools?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Admissions How to prove Physics competency to grad school admission committees?
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
Admissions Being Competitive for Top US Graduate Schools
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K