Demystifying the Hierarchy of Engineering Majors

Hey there, fellow humans! I'm considering going into engineering for college. I've heard that some engineering fields are harder than others, so could somebody please rank the engineering majors in terms of difficulty? Your input would be much appreciated.

Hello! It's essential to understand that the difficulty of an engineering major can be quite subjective and largely depends on an individual's strengths and interests. Therefore, a specific engineering discipline that might be easy for one person might be challenging for another.

However, some common perceptions exist. The following is one possible ranking, based on a combination of factors like perceived work load, conceptual difficulty, and math intensiveness:

1. Aerospace Engineering: Often considered one of the hardest engineering majors, it covers complex topics such as fluid dynamics, and heat & mass transfer, along with intricate coursework in aerodynamics, astrodynamics, flight mechanics, and aircraft and spacecraft design.

2. Chemical Engineering: Known for being heavy on chemistry and mathematics, you'll undertake subjects like transport phenomena, thermodynamics, and chemical reaction engineering, making it a challenging major.

3. Electrical Engineering: With a heavy emphasis on mathematics and physics, this field involves complex subjects such as quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, and systems design.

4. Mechanical Engineering: While somewhat more straightforward than the previous three, this major still demands a strong understanding of physics and mathematics, and requires competency in areas like materials science, thermodynamics, and structural analysis.

5. Civil Engineering: This might be seen as more tangible and intuitive because it involves the design and construction of physical structures and infrastructure. However, it does require a strong understanding of dynamics, structural analysis, and material science.

6. Environmental Engineering: Another potentially more tangible field, but don't underestimate it! It also requires a strong foundation in chemistry, mathematics, and physics alongside courses in environmental chemistry, fluid mechanics, and environmental systems.

7. Industrial Engineering: Some perceive this as the least hard due to its more practical and less theoretical nature. It mixes engineering, sociology, and business, focusing on optimizing processes and systems.

Again, difficulty is highly relative, and this is a general perception. Remember that passion for the specific field you choose often plays a significant role in overcoming challenges. If you love what you study, the hard work you'll put into it will feel more rewarding and less burdensome. Best of luck with your engineering journey!