So which engineering course is the hardest?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the perceived difficulty of various engineering disciplines, particularly Mechanical Engineering compared to Aeronautical and Electrical Engineering. Participants emphasize that all engineering majors involve substantial math and physics coursework, making no single discipline categorically harder than another. The consensus is that a genuine interest in the subject matter is crucial for success, and students should focus on their passion rather than the perceived difficulty of the courses. Additionally, maintaining a GPA above 3.0 is essential for entry into graduate programs, with a target of 3.5 being recommended for competitive fields like Nuclear Engineering.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of core engineering principles, including statics and dynamics.
  • Familiarity with advanced mathematics, including calculus and differential equations.
  • Knowledge of physics concepts relevant to engineering applications.
  • Awareness of GPA requirements for graduate engineering programs.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the curriculum requirements for Mechanical Engineering and other engineering disciplines.
  • Explore study techniques for mastering calculus and differential equations in engineering contexts.
  • Investigate the career paths available for Mechanical Engineering graduates.
  • Learn about the specific GPA requirements for various Master's programs in engineering fields, particularly Nuclear Engineering.
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Students considering an engineering major, particularly those in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, as well as academic advisors and educators guiding prospective engineering students.

bandit94822
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So I am currently at my Year 1 Semester 1 of my Mechanical Engineering Degree in Malaysia and what I heard the most from my lecturers during my 1st class "introduction" is that Mechanical Engineering is the hardest after Aeronautical Engineering and advise us to change course to other engineering if we are not prepare for it.

So based on ur personal advice, should i change to other Engineering or stay with Mechanical?

>I kinda love physics :-p but not quite good in maths :cry:
 
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It's difficult but not unbearable. Any engineering will be difficult, don't think for a minute if you switch that you're going to have it any easier. Let's say you go to civil engineering, guess what? You still get to take statics, strength of materials, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and heat transfer. Let's say you go to electrical, you still have to take a lot of math and physics courses, on top of your electrical engineering courses which are more conceptual and they aren't easy courses frankly. There's no easy engineering major, so if you're considering switching majors because you think mechanical engineering is too hard you should just do something else besides engineering.
 
hmmm... but are engineering maths harder then pure maths subjects?
 
The hardest engineering specialization IMO is the one that bores you to tears. I'm no expert, but plain old interest is a powerful motivator. You'll strive harder through a lot more maths if you care about the outcome. Speaking of which, what exactly do you hope to do?
 
The math courses are the same. Math majors take calculus 1-3, differential equations, linear algebra and applied math ( partial differential equations, Fourier Analysis,etc) at my school and as a nuclear engineering student I had to take them as well. Stop worrying about the math you'll get better and better with it as you advance in your degree.
 
I wouldn't worry about which is harder. Both require a heavy math load so if you are worried about the math load you should honestly think about another major. Math is to an engineering major as English is to a literature major in North America.

I do not want to sound mean, but I could not imagine getting into engineering without a love, or at least a mild enjoyment, of using mathematics to solve real world problems.
 
There's no engineering major that's the hardest, it's all relative. But seriously EE is the hardest because it's my major.
 
bandit94822 said:
hmmm... but are engineering maths harder then pure maths subjects?

They are about equal to what I did in the second year of my math degree. In fact I did an engineering math subject that covered grad/div/curl, Fourier transforms etc.

In my 3rd year of the math degree there was complex and real analysis, Banach spaces etc. Engineers don't need that - unless they are working on quantum mechanics etc.
 
well, i will try to cope with it i guess, I reali wanted to be an engineer though its hard
 
  • #10
bandit94822 said:
well, i will try to cope with it i guess, I reali wanted to be an engineer though its hard

Engineering school is hard, yes, but the end result is generally worth the struggle.
 
  • #11
Forensics said:
Engineering school is hard, yes, but the end result is generally worth the struggle.

worth... what CGPA should i target coz 3.5 is quite hard i guess? abv 3.0 is good?
 
  • #12
well ,I think Electrical engineering is harder and many people go into Mechanical because it is easier.
anyway,if you are looking for an easy major then switch into something else like Accounting (it is not that easy too).

get your balls together and take the freshman year and see what happens.
 
  • #13
bandit94822 said:
worth... what CGPA should i target coz 3.5 is quite hard i guess? abv 3.0 is good?

Well, if you have a 3.0 you qualify for the bare minimum of entry into some masters programs.

I'm trying to aim for a 3.5 so I will not have issues getting into a MS Nuclear Engineering program. You should just aim for the best you can get! Who knows, maybe you will land a 3.2 to 3.5!
 
  • #14
Forensics said:
Well, if you have a 3.0 you qualify for the bare minimum of entry into some masters programs.

I'm trying to aim for a 3.5 so I will not have issues getting into a MS Nuclear Engineering program. You should just aim for the best you can get! Who knows, maybe you will land a 3.2 to 3.5!

haha i will try =D

anyway until now...i not sure what mechanical eng grad work.. unlike civil the deal with anything related to bulildings, E&E obviously electronics... but mechanical...Machines? :confused:
 

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