Starting college as an engineering major and kind of unsure about which courses are considered essential. Could anyone share some insights into which ones are must-takes?
Here's a list of courses that are generally taken by engineering majors, regardless of their field of specialization:
1. Calculus and Higher-level Math: Engineering is math-intensive, so you'll need a solid foundation in calculus and possibly calculus II, III, and even differential equations, depending on your specific field of engineering.
2. Physics: This will cover basic mechanics, electricity, and magnetism which is vital in understanding the underlying principles of engineering.
3. Chemistry: This is important, particularly if you're going into chemical or materials engineering, though even other engineering fields would still need at least a fundamental mastery of chemistry.
4. Engineering Graphics or CAD: This is where you learn how to visualize and draw out your designs with precision and according to industry standards.
5. Introduction to Engineering/Engineering Systems: These courses provide an overview of engineering and its subfields and help you understand how to approach problem-solving from an engineering perspective.
6. Coding/Computer Studies: Familiarity with coding, algorithms and data structures, and proficiency in at least one or two high-level programming languages is extremely useful in engineering.
7. Engineering labs and Design courses: Hands-on practical courses to apply what you learn theoretically.
Remember, this is a general list and the specifics will depend greatly on the field of engineering you're interested in, so be sure to consult with your academic advisor to design a course schedule that best suits your needs and the requirements of your engineering program.
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