Preparing for engineering degree

[aurao2003]

Hi everyone
I would really appreciate advice on a few things bugging my mind. I intend to start an engineering degree in 2012. I wonder on the advantage of sitting the AEA and STEP Mathematics. Since I am studying independently, I don't want to place an extra burden on my academic workload. But I really love mathematics and will love to stretch myself. I also intend to sit M4 and M5 in June. Most universities advise potential engineering students to do as much Mechanics modules as possible. But it seems most students don't even atttempt M3. Do you think this would provide a good advantage on my potential engineering course? Or should I opt for the more popular S1 and S2 courses.

By way, I only intend to sit Step 1 and 2.

Finally, I am torn betweem studying Physics and Electrical Engineering. I adore Professor Walter Lewin from the MIT and can visualise myself in his lectures. I only recently bought introduction to Physics and slightly amazed at the mathematical content of a Physics degree. So, I seem to veer towards a Physics degree. But I subscribe for the IET and IEEE magazines and can barely put them down. This is even in the toilet. I do love teaching and will like to follow in the footsteps of 'Walter'. But I can't believe I am living through the 'energy' debate. The idea of developing renewable energy systems is mouthwatering!
Please advise.

 

[CheckMate]

Just don't procrastinate. You seem to have a good determination and a passion for your subject. You are going to enjoy it, don't worry. If you do your homework, understand the concepts, know how formulas came to be and so on, you'll get a great GPA.

I suggest you to be able to know all of Calculus I and classical physics. The rest is built up on that. You can study independently, it's up to you some people can't.

 

[aurao2003]

Thanks a lot. Do you think doing Mechanics modules 1-5 is advantageous over statistics modules? I have both options for my A2 exams in June. And what's the content of mechanics in a Physics or EE degree?

 

[Shaun_W]

If maths is what you love, then do maths.

Engineering is not maths, and step is completely worthless for engineering. I don't think you fully understand what engineering before you're asking this question.

 

[aurao2003]

If maths is what you love, then do maths.

Engineering is not maths, and step is completely worthless for engineering. I don't think you fully understand what engineering before you're asking this question.

I think you have mixed up the tools with the job. I love maths but not all aspects. Mainly Mechanics. Maths is the language of engineering. But I am sure you know that.

And I am doing STEP because I want to be challenged. If their was an engineering equivalent, game on. But there isn't. But thanks for your kindly advice.

Just out of curiosity, how will you define engineering?

 

[Shaun_W]

I think you have mixed up the tools with the job. I love maths but not all aspects. Mainly Mechanics. Maths is the language of engineering. But I am sure you know that.

And I am doing STEP because I want to be challenged. If their was an engineering equivalent, game on. But there isn't. But thanks for your kindly advice.

Just out of curiosity, how will you define engineering?

No, maths is definitely not the "language of engineering" - every engineer that I know would say that is utter rubbish. But I guess someone who hasn't even finished his A-levels knows more about engineering than these guys.

Maths is a tool sometimes used by engineers to solve problems. To complete an engineering degree you have to be fairly good at a limited range of maths - namely, applied maths. In many design and R&D engineering jobs you also have to be good at it. So overall it's important for engineers to be good at a very narrow range of maths, but it's definitely not the "language of engineering".

I'd define engineering the way it's supposed to be define.

About Step: that's fair enough. Just don't be under the illusion that it's in any way relevant to engineering and that engineering recruiters will actually give a damn about it.

 

[aurao2003]

No, maths is definitely not the "language of engineering" - every engineer that I know would say that is utter rubbish. But I guess someone who hasn't even finished his A-levels knows more about engineering than these guys.

Maths is a tool sometimes used by engineers to solve problems. To complete an engineering degree you have to be fairly good at a limited range of maths - namely, applied maths. In many design and R&D engineering jobs you also have to be good at it. So overall it's important for engineers to be good at a very narrow range of maths, but it's definitely not the "language of engineering".

I'd define engineering the way it's supposed to be define.

About Step: that's fair enough. Just don't be under the illusion that it's in any way relevant to engineering and that engineering recruiters will actually give a damn about it.

I appreciate your advice. However, there is no need to get personal about my post. You are not under obligation to respond. I asked for advice and still seeking it. Please answer this, if maths is not the language of engineering, then what is? I am also not looking as far as engineer recruiting. My focus is on my degree. So, some of your statements are like preaching to the converted. You seem really dismissive, angry and vexed. If I upset you by my post I apologise. But if not, you need to consider what you type. Have a good day and thanks for your advice.

 

[Shaun_W]

I appreciate your advice. However, there is no need to get personal about my post. You are not under obligation to respond. I asked for advice and still seeking it. Please answer this, if maths is not the language of engineering, then what is? I am also not looking as far as engineer recruiting. My focus is on my degree. So, some of your statements are like preaching to the converted. You seem really dismissive, angry and vexed. If I upset you by my post I apologise. But if not, you need to consider what you type. Have a good day and thanks for your advice.

I think you should do some more research into what engineering really is, then.

If you like maths enough to do Step you'll like studying an engineering degree, but you'd probably prefer physics since that's more mathematical, and you'd definitely prefer a proper maths degree.

 

[Denurry]

aurao2003

I want to do mech. eng. too. I do lilke physics and math etc. Same as you are i do my studies on my own (didn't give a hack when was in school). What is AEA and Step mathematics? can you just roughlly explain to me what you study? and how it is related to you getting into an undergrad program?
tanx

 

[Shaun_W]

aurao2003

I want to do mech. eng. too. I do lilke physics and math etc. Same as you are i do my studies on my own (didn't give a hack when was in school). What is AEA and Step mathematics? can you just roughlly explain to me what you study? and how it is related to you getting into an undergrad program?
tanx

http://www.admissionstests.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/adt/step/about" is an exam primarily used for admissions into a maths BA at Cambridge. Some other universities also ask for it as part of admissions into their maths degrees. It's a very difficult exam designed to select only best of the very best students for the toughest maths degrees and is completely irrelevant for engineering.

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/aea/9801/Pages/default.aspx" is... well I'm still not quite sure since I didn't do A-levels.

This is why I am convinced that aurao2003 does not fully understand what engineering is about. If he likes maths enough to want to sit Step then he should study maths. He'll get a shock when he joins engineering and sees everyone taking apart engines and stuff in their spare time and not really like maths nearly as much as him. He'll also get a shock when they hand in much better projects than him, too.

 

[aurao2003]

http://www.admissionstests.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/adt/step/about" is an exam primarily used for admissions into a maths BA at Cambridge. Some other universities also ask for it as part of admissions into their maths degrees. It's a very difficult exam designed to select only best of the very best students for the toughest maths degrees and is completely irrelevant for engineering.

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/aea/9801/Pages/default.aspx" is... well I'm still not quite sure since I didn't do A-levels.

This is why I am convinced that aurao2003 does not fully understand what engineering is about. If he likes maths enough to want to sit Step then he should study maths. He'll get a shock when he joins engineering and sees everyone taking apart engines and stuff in their spare time and not really like maths nearly as much as him. He'll also get a shock when they hand in much better projects than him, too.

:!) I really like you. And you are quite correct. I am not sure what is involved in an engineering degree. I am applying for a placement with an engineering firm and a trainee program with National Grid. I am also volunteering as a STEM (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics) ambassador and involved wit simple engineering projects. Are you an engineer yourself?

 

[Shaun_W]

That's great then. Not only will a placement give you real life engineering skills and give you a clear idea of what engineering is, it'll also give you a boost over other applicants when applying for a place at university. Plus, you'll earn some dosh.

Try and see if you can get a placement at a design house or something like that, because they'll inevitably be using a lot of maths and physics principles in their designs. Sometimes engineering can be extremely boring and unmathematical, although there is a shade more money in operations and management than proper design engineering.

I'd imagine that you'd be doing this over the summer, yes? Have you ever considered http://www.yini.org.uk/" ? You'd be working for a whole year, which you could then save up for university, and you'd gain some valuable experience. I've also heard that the yini counts as a year's worth of proper experience regarding chartership.

 

[aurao2003]

That's great then. Not only will a placement give you real life engineering skills and give you a clear idea of what engineering is, it'll also give you a boost over other applicants when applying for a place at university. Plus, you'll earn some dosh.

Try and see if you can get a placement at a design house or something like that, because they'll inevitably be using a lot of maths and physics principles in their designs. Sometimes engineering can be extremely boring and unmathematical, although there is a shade more money in operations and management than proper design engineering.

I'd imagine that you'd be doing this over the summer, yes? Have you ever considered http://www.yini.org.uk/" ? You'd be working for a whole year, which you could then save up for university, and you'd gain some valuable experience. I've also heard that the yini counts as a year's worth of proper experience regarding chartership.

I am not applying for the Yini program till next year since my degree will start in 2012. I never thought I was inclined towards engineering. But everyone seems to feel so. lol. Thanks for all the advice. I will keep you posted.

 

[pongo38]

An engineer is someone who makes things out of stuff.