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What engineering major uses most math?
What engineering major uses most math? Which one is right for me?
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7 answers
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Husseina’s Answer
Hi Vincent,
Electrical engineering is the most math heavy of the engineering disciplines. You rely heavily on differential equations when dealing with advanced circuit analysis and electromagnetism is basically a physics and math course. In a close second is mechanical engineering, which uses dynamics a lot. Chemical engineering is in last probably. Differential equations are used a lot, but that is true of all the engineering disciplines. Industrial engineering often has a lot of economics built in, which of course uses mathematics.
What is best for you is solely based on what you are capable of doing or interest you while in high school. And use your career counselor to assist you.
Electrical engineering is the most math heavy of the engineering disciplines. You rely heavily on differential equations when dealing with advanced circuit analysis and electromagnetism is basically a physics and math course. In a close second is mechanical engineering, which uses dynamics a lot. Chemical engineering is in last probably. Differential equations are used a lot, but that is true of all the engineering disciplines. Industrial engineering often has a lot of economics built in, which of course uses mathematics.
What is best for you is solely based on what you are capable of doing or interest you while in high school. And use your career counselor to assist you.
Updated
Glenn’s Answer
Many engineering disciplines use a lot of math. It matter as much about the level of your degree and the career path that you chose once you get your engineering degree. In school, the math course requirements are about equal, you take basic classes that also require the use of higher level math. You can choose some level of technical electives that allow you to take more math course or apply the math knowledge that you have already learned. Advanced engineering degrees will also require heavier usage of mathematics.
I think the real answer about how much you use math daily in your career is what you are really seeking as an answer. If you have a Masters degree or PhD, you will more likely get into a career path that will allow you to use your math skills on a more regular basis. These jobs tend to be more in analysis or research in my experience or advanced development.
Some degree paths to consider is Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering. etc.
My suggestion is to determine which discipline aligns best with your aptitude and interest, then look for ways that you can drive your career into a path that also includes deep knowledge and application of mathematics.
I think the real answer about how much you use math daily in your career is what you are really seeking as an answer. If you have a Masters degree or PhD, you will more likely get into a career path that will allow you to use your math skills on a more regular basis. These jobs tend to be more in analysis or research in my experience or advanced development.
Some degree paths to consider is Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering. etc.
My suggestion is to determine which discipline aligns best with your aptitude and interest, then look for ways that you can drive your career into a path that also includes deep knowledge and application of mathematics.
Thanks for the advice. I will look into those majors and hopefully decide which one interests me the most.
Vincent
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
If you are interested in majoring in engineering, the most important question should be in which area of engineering you would like to develop your career. There are a whole range of engineering disciplines stretching from mechanical, civil, electrical, physical, chemical, nuclear, and so on.
Mathematics is the language of science and engineering. There is no limit to the amount of mathematical knowledge you may want to acquire if you want to be good at a particular area and make contribution in the area.
At the minimum, you would need Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Linear Algebra, Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial Differential Equations, and Numerical Analysis. You should plan on taking additional mathematics courses such as Abstract Algebra, Real Analysis, and other available courses to strengthen your understanding of mathematics, which is the language of your professional endeavor.
Mathematics is the language of science and engineering. There is no limit to the amount of mathematical knowledge you may want to acquire if you want to be good at a particular area and make contribution in the area.
At the minimum, you would need Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Linear Algebra, Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial Differential Equations, and Numerical Analysis. You should plan on taking additional mathematics courses such as Abstract Algebra, Real Analysis, and other available courses to strengthen your understanding of mathematics, which is the language of your professional endeavor.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Vincent
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Hello Vincent, That's an interesting question, and you might need several different engineers to help you find an answer.
Let's first list the major engineering disciplines: mechanical, electrical, civil, and chemical. Some other branches related to these "classical" disciplines are aerospace, nuclear, petroleum, manufacturing, computer, robotics, environment and ....?? Everything else. If it moves, flies, stands like a building or a bridge, makes toothpase, burns fuel or coal, generates electricity......whatever. Engineers are involved in the design, construction and operation of it.
Now, about the math: Surprise! All disciplines use lots of math, especially differential equations and algebra, trigonometry, vectors and whatever else is needed to solve a problem. Oh, don't forget Statistics! hemical engineering is a bit different because you need to understand the chemistry plus the physical aspects of controlling ingredients and reactions and the condtions that affect the reaction like pressures and temperatures and whatever else may be important.
One interesting thing about engineering is that all these disciplines use mathematical models of physical situations. So, there are unique equations that each branch uses, and they keep track of different things and use different symbols to represent things - like pressure, temperature, velocity, current, volts, stress, etc. So the terms and units are different, but they are all similar equations applied to these different things like bridges, engines, bridges, airplanes and spaceships. So, Vincent, name your poison.....What intrigues you? Electrical circuits? Software? Electric cars? Settling Mars? It's all there waiting for you to get involved.
In essence, Engineering is like being an Accountant, except that, instead of keeping track of money, you keep track of these physical parameters that are important - like pressure in a cylinder, the stress in a beam, the current in a ciruit or a transistor element, and so on. Then it gets tricky - like when you have to optimize one thing agains one or more other parameters. Like, for instance, drive an elecitric car a certain distance with limited battery capacity.
Take every math course you can. Learn how to make a drawing of a physical thing or how to recognize a physical thing from a sketch or drawing.
Learn how to contribue as a team member. you will do lab exercises together and maybe do group reports.
Develop your communication skills. Write. Speak. Draw. Build models. You want to be able to express your ideas to team members and your instructors, and, most importantly, your future boss.
Let's first list the major engineering disciplines: mechanical, electrical, civil, and chemical. Some other branches related to these "classical" disciplines are aerospace, nuclear, petroleum, manufacturing, computer, robotics, environment and ....?? Everything else. If it moves, flies, stands like a building or a bridge, makes toothpase, burns fuel or coal, generates electricity......whatever. Engineers are involved in the design, construction and operation of it.
Now, about the math: Surprise! All disciplines use lots of math, especially differential equations and algebra, trigonometry, vectors and whatever else is needed to solve a problem. Oh, don't forget Statistics! hemical engineering is a bit different because you need to understand the chemistry plus the physical aspects of controlling ingredients and reactions and the condtions that affect the reaction like pressures and temperatures and whatever else may be important.
One interesting thing about engineering is that all these disciplines use mathematical models of physical situations. So, there are unique equations that each branch uses, and they keep track of different things and use different symbols to represent things - like pressure, temperature, velocity, current, volts, stress, etc. So the terms and units are different, but they are all similar equations applied to these different things like bridges, engines, bridges, airplanes and spaceships. So, Vincent, name your poison.....What intrigues you? Electrical circuits? Software? Electric cars? Settling Mars? It's all there waiting for you to get involved.
In essence, Engineering is like being an Accountant, except that, instead of keeping track of money, you keep track of these physical parameters that are important - like pressure in a cylinder, the stress in a beam, the current in a ciruit or a transistor element, and so on. Then it gets tricky - like when you have to optimize one thing agains one or more other parameters. Like, for instance, drive an elecitric car a certain distance with limited battery capacity.
Dennis recommends the following next steps:
Thanks for the response, I was thinking about some type of engineering that may use more math and physics, so maybe designing in industries. I'll look at the recommendations for next steps and keep them in mind.
Vincent
Vincent, I will add another "To Do" for you: Get acquainted with engineers - in your neighborhood, perhaps, or at some local businesses. If you can, shadow their job for a day or so. Ask questions. Join an engineering/science club or your school's Robotics team if there is one. There must be manufacturing plants near you . See if you can do a plant tour. Check for local engineering societies - SAE, ASME, IEEE. See if you can get invited to a meeting. This is Engineer's Week, so there should be activities available if you just look a little bit.
Dennis Taylor
Updated
Ramesh’s Answer
Problem solving skills learned in Mathematics curriculum is applicable in many Engineering disciplines. While Computational Mathematics is heavily used in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, etc. you will likely use Computational Fluid Dynamics tools, Circuit Simulation tools, etc. to do the Computational Math required. An Engineer will benefit from having good intuitions from Advanced Calculus etc. when using the tools.
As Glenn's response suggests figure out the Engineering area that appeals to you and focus on it. Some areas seem to require MS/PhD to make head way in the field, e.g., Aerospace.
One area you might add to the list is Financial Engineering aka Quantitative Finance. This field hires Applied Mathematicians, Physicists, Computer Scientists, Data Scientist etc. for their Computational Mathematics and Statistics skills. The area where Computational Mathematics is most directly used is Data Science.
The world is your oyster with good Mathematics skills. Good luck.
As Glenn's response suggests figure out the Engineering area that appeals to you and focus on it. Some areas seem to require MS/PhD to make head way in the field, e.g., Aerospace.
One area you might add to the list is Financial Engineering aka Quantitative Finance. This field hires Applied Mathematicians, Physicists, Computer Scientists, Data Scientist etc. for their Computational Mathematics and Statistics skills. The area where Computational Mathematics is most directly used is Data Science.
The world is your oyster with good Mathematics skills. Good luck.
Updated
Edgar’s Answer
This is the main question I asked myself when deciding what to major in. I looked in my local universities and my favorite was Financial Engineering. The math level needed to be a financial engineer is one of the highest amongst all engineering paths and also very useful since it combines math with programming and finance which are great for business right now. You could even work for the government since it involves economics as well.
Furthermore, you could also consider majoring in math since it has a lot of space to move. Top companies worldwide need people who can develop complex math models.
Furthermore, you could also consider majoring in math since it has a lot of space to move. Top companies worldwide need people who can develop complex math models.
Updated
Luke’s Answer
My university required Calculus 1-3 plus Differential Equations, so 4 courses total. Beyond that, the courses in the main engineering curriculum for most disciplines will include principles of mathematics. I say that to indicate that you shouldn't choose your major in engineering based on how much math there will be because most of them will be math heavy.
Think about it this way, if I want to calculate the flow of water going through an orifice, then I'd use an orifice specific equation but arriving at the solution still requires knowledge of math and algebra.
Think about it this way, if I want to calculate the flow of water going through an orifice, then I'd use an orifice specific equation but arriving at the solution still requires knowledge of math and algebra.