How Hard Are the Science and Technology Fields and What Are Their Job Markets?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perceived difficulty levels of various fields within science and technology, specifically engineering and natural sciences. Participants share their personal experiences and opinions on the challenges associated with each discipline, as well as their job market prospects in different regions of the US and abroad.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Physics is the hardest field, while others argue that Biology involves a lot of memorization, making it challenging in a different way.
  • One participant ranks various engineering disciplines, placing Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering among the more difficult fields.
  • Another participant proposes that Software Engineering is the most difficult due to the complexity of large software systems, while others believe it should be ranked lower.
  • There is a claim that Industrial Engineering is perceived as the easiest among engineering disciplines, with some participants referring to it as "Mickey Mouse."
  • Participants express differing views on the difficulty of Chemistry and Biology, with some feeling that they are not directly comparable to Physics and Engineering.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of personal interest in choosing a field, suggesting that all areas of study are hard and that enjoyment is crucial for success.
  • There is a discussion about the overlap between Electronics Engineering and Electrical Engineering, as well as the distinction between Software Engineering and Computer Engineering.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the difficulty levels of the various fields discussed. Multiple competing views remain, particularly regarding the rankings of different engineering disciplines and the nature of challenges in each field.

Contextual Notes

Participants express personal opinions and experiences, which may be influenced by individual strengths and preferences. The discussion includes subjective assessments of difficulty and does not provide a definitive ranking or resolution.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a major in science or engineering, individuals exploring career options in STEM fields, and those interested in the job market dynamics of various disciplines.

  • #31
I think that in physics, you are deriving your own formulas more, so you only have to remember the basic formulas (and how they are related). I would guess that EE would use more formulas that aren't derived every time so you can choose to remember them, or remember how they are derived.
 
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  • #32
That brings up another general question. Is derivation a lot like proving a mathematical theorem? I'm rather weak in that area, and better at carrying out operations or applying a given formula. Then again, I haven't had a lot of experience with it.
 
  • #33
szarkowj said:
That brings up another general question. Is derivation a lot like proving a mathematical theorem? I'm rather weak in that area, and better at carrying out operations or applying a given formula. Then again, I haven't had a lot of experience with it.

Then you definatly want to steer clear of physics! In engineering, we usually derive formulas and then use them, but If you are a plug and chug kind of person, neither is going to be good for you. You have to understand where the formulas came from in engineering as well as physics.
 
  • #34
Civil Engineering is easy, I mean you know the answer already before you start, Fnet has to equal 0!
 
  • #35
Well, I won't know until I try, but that isn't reassuring. Thanks.
 

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