Should I Minor in Polymer Science or Computer Science for a Career in Aerospace?

[blynxGT]

Hello,

I am currently a sophomore at Georgia Tech as a Mechanical engineering major. My ultimate goal is to do advanced research for aerospace but a bit more on the mechanical side (propulsion, structures, etc). I was wondering if getting a minor in polymer science/ material science would be a good decision. I have a an interest in chem and I think that now more than ever materials are key to aerospace vehicles. But also I am debating on whether or not to do a minor in computer science. My thinking behind this is that computers are here to stay and knowing atleast some theory and programming skills will be necessary. My problem with this is that people tend to pick up programming/ computer hardware skills as more of a hobby and that there is enough material out there to gain sufficient skill without going through a dedicated program. I do not have any programming experience beyond having to do MATLAB but I am interested in getting into IT. Can someone help me out? Can i find a way to do both? I have a co-op so atleast after work I have time to try new things. Thanks!

 

[RandomGuy88]

I think if you are interested in materials/polymer science you should at least take the courses to learn the material. I don't know if formally getting the minor would benefit you or not but I doubt it would hurt. As far as the computer stuff goes I don't think you need to get a minor in computer science unless that is what you are really interested. I was a mechanical engineer undergrad and now I am a graduate student in aerospace engineering. I work on the experimental side of things but I use MATLAB a lot and I have picked up enough through my one undergrad course and then just using it over the past several years. If you are interested in chemistry and computers maybe you would like computational research in propulsion and combustion.

 

[viscousflow]

I'll add to what Random Guy said and say that if you like the propulsion track, Material Science can indeed help. However, the CS minor won't do you much unless you want to do computational research.

Also I'm a similar case to RandomGuy88. My uni only gave us 2 weeks of Matlab before they switch over to an all MATLAB program (unlucky me). However, with only those 2 weeks and years of experience with it, I cannot tell you how many people want me to do something for them in MATLAB and I'm only a senior AE about to do my masters.

In a nutshell don't stress over the CS minor unless its something you want to do.

 

[PETER.PHIL]

Mechanical engineers are f***in epic. They do EVERYTHING. So most companies will probably bump you up on the hire list if they see it.

 

[blynxGT]

Thanks viscous flow and RandomGuy. That was helpful. I think it would be better to just stick to what I enjoy the absolute must instead of trying to spread myself thin. I think polymers and mech eng will be the way to go and computers will be a hobby. Sorry for the late reply guys.

@ PETER.PHIL lol! I guess that is true. But then again work experience will be just as good if not have more weight than simply doing a minor