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What are different types of engineering paths are there #Fall24?
I am taking and planning to take a lot of AP Math courses right now. Do I need a lot of science courses as well like AP Bio, Chem, or Physics for foundational knowledge for this pathway as well? #Fall24
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Sheila’s Answer
Hi Ivan,
Thanks for the great question. It is great to hear of your interest in engineering. A great foundation for this career is math and science classes. In high school, I was very good at math and science, and I remember it being recommended that I go into engineering. I really did not know much about engineering. I attended a week-long summer program offered at a university in our State. It was for high school girls who wanted to learn more about engineering and science-based careers. So, I signed up for the program. I found that there were many different types of engineering and many types of roles which you could do as an engineer. I was inspired and went on the engineering route.
I am a mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineering is a fantastic foundation for many roles. I currently lead a company which helps businesses operate more efficiently using software tools and artificial intelligence aids. Prior to this, I led a team for the Advanced System Integration of defense/military vehicles and projects. In addition, I had many other roles in my career in the automotive industry including thermal engineer, design/release engineer, vehicle systems engineer, system safety engineer, and a variety of engineering leader roles. The engineering foundation enabled me to have a successful and wide variety of career experiences.
There are many types of engineering – Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Software, Industrial, Manufacturing and more. For mechanical engineering, there are also many sub-focus areas, so you can pick the area(s) that you find the most interesting. Some examples include: Thermal systems/fluids, Mechanical Structures, Materials, and Automotive design.
At University, many people enter programs which offer co-op/internships. For these, you can work a few of your school terms. This enables work experience, different career areas to experience, and an opportunity to earn money along the way. This allows you to explore different types of engineering work and may help you identify in what area you initially want to work. For these university programs, it could take 5+ years.
Best wishes to you as you explore your future career.
Thanks for the great question. It is great to hear of your interest in engineering. A great foundation for this career is math and science classes. In high school, I was very good at math and science, and I remember it being recommended that I go into engineering. I really did not know much about engineering. I attended a week-long summer program offered at a university in our State. It was for high school girls who wanted to learn more about engineering and science-based careers. So, I signed up for the program. I found that there were many different types of engineering and many types of roles which you could do as an engineer. I was inspired and went on the engineering route.
I am a mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineering is a fantastic foundation for many roles. I currently lead a company which helps businesses operate more efficiently using software tools and artificial intelligence aids. Prior to this, I led a team for the Advanced System Integration of defense/military vehicles and projects. In addition, I had many other roles in my career in the automotive industry including thermal engineer, design/release engineer, vehicle systems engineer, system safety engineer, and a variety of engineering leader roles. The engineering foundation enabled me to have a successful and wide variety of career experiences.
There are many types of engineering – Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Software, Industrial, Manufacturing and more. For mechanical engineering, there are also many sub-focus areas, so you can pick the area(s) that you find the most interesting. Some examples include: Thermal systems/fluids, Mechanical Structures, Materials, and Automotive design.
At University, many people enter programs which offer co-op/internships. For these, you can work a few of your school terms. This enables work experience, different career areas to experience, and an opportunity to earn money along the way. This allows you to explore different types of engineering work and may help you identify in what area you initially want to work. For these university programs, it could take 5+ years.
Best wishes to you as you explore your future career.
Updated
Bryan’s Answer
Hello!
This really depends on what field of engineering you're going into.
For my college (Iowa State), every engineering major had to take Chemistry, and at least 1 physics class (most had to take 2). On top of this we had to take a verity of math classes (It wasn't uncommon to see engineering majors with a math minor as well because it was only 1-2 more classes).
If you want to go into engineering, find out what type you want to be.
Computer/Electrical/Software/Mechanical Engineer: You don't need AP Bio (AP Chemistry might get you out of chemistry in college)
Chemical Engineer: You would want to take AP Chemistry but maybe not AP Bio
Physics and Math will probably help you the most out of the ones you listed.
This is a very broad explanation of what a small subset of engineers need. If you have questions about specific engineer professions, I would recommend seeing if others ask more specific questions on this site. Taking AP classes is not a bad idea, just make sure they'll count where ever you decide to go to school.
Hope this helped a little!
This really depends on what field of engineering you're going into.
For my college (Iowa State), every engineering major had to take Chemistry, and at least 1 physics class (most had to take 2). On top of this we had to take a verity of math classes (It wasn't uncommon to see engineering majors with a math minor as well because it was only 1-2 more classes).
If you want to go into engineering, find out what type you want to be.
Computer/Electrical/Software/Mechanical Engineer: You don't need AP Bio (AP Chemistry might get you out of chemistry in college)
Chemical Engineer: You would want to take AP Chemistry but maybe not AP Bio
Physics and Math will probably help you the most out of the ones you listed.
This is a very broad explanation of what a small subset of engineers need. If you have questions about specific engineer professions, I would recommend seeing if others ask more specific questions on this site. Taking AP classes is not a bad idea, just make sure they'll count where ever you decide to go to school.
Hope this helped a little!
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Hello Ivan!
Your state has several state universities to choose from. Contact one or two of them and find out what requirements they have for accepting students in their engineering programs. Your HS counselor can help you do that. I get the sense that you are less interested in science than math. OK. Here's the deal: most engineering disciplines relie on the use of math and also a good understanding of physical phenomena: motion of bodies and systems, electricity and electronics, magnetism, flow of fluids, heat transfer, etc. In fact, most engineering methods are based on the concept of a mathematical model of the physical phenomena. Do you see where I am going with this? You can't have one without the other. So, yes, you need a good background in physics, and possibly chemistry and biology.
You can take AP courses in these subjects. Or, you can take AP-level in you English and language courses. Either way, if you qualify, you gain some flexiblity in what courses you can elect at the college level. But don't worry. If you are accepted, there will be lots of courses for you to choose. That's a good thing. Most engineering schools have some basic courses that all engineers must take or test out of. But, don't skip taking a course if you barely made it through the AP version. But, you may have an advantage if you re-take a course, even if you passed the AP version.
(Let me put a personal aside in here: my HS did not have any AP courses. the highest math I had was plane geometry and trigonometry. But, the Calculus courses (1st and second year) were designed to meet the needs of the courses we had in physics, strength of materials, thermodynamics and so on.
Remember, you are training yourself for what you will be doing for the rest of your working career. You want to have a strong foundation in the topics that are the basis of your engineering discipline.
Make use of any course advisors at your high school and at any universities you have interest in. These people want to help you make the right decisions. Let them help you. Good luck, Ivan.
Your state has several state universities to choose from. Contact one or two of them and find out what requirements they have for accepting students in their engineering programs. Your HS counselor can help you do that. I get the sense that you are less interested in science than math. OK. Here's the deal: most engineering disciplines relie on the use of math and also a good understanding of physical phenomena: motion of bodies and systems, electricity and electronics, magnetism, flow of fluids, heat transfer, etc. In fact, most engineering methods are based on the concept of a mathematical model of the physical phenomena. Do you see where I am going with this? You can't have one without the other. So, yes, you need a good background in physics, and possibly chemistry and biology.
You can take AP courses in these subjects. Or, you can take AP-level in you English and language courses. Either way, if you qualify, you gain some flexiblity in what courses you can elect at the college level. But don't worry. If you are accepted, there will be lots of courses for you to choose. That's a good thing. Most engineering schools have some basic courses that all engineers must take or test out of. But, don't skip taking a course if you barely made it through the AP version. But, you may have an advantage if you re-take a course, even if you passed the AP version.
(Let me put a personal aside in here: my HS did not have any AP courses. the highest math I had was plane geometry and trigonometry. But, the Calculus courses (1st and second year) were designed to meet the needs of the courses we had in physics, strength of materials, thermodynamics and so on.
Remember, you are training yourself for what you will be doing for the rest of your working career. You want to have a strong foundation in the topics that are the basis of your engineering discipline.
Make use of any course advisors at your high school and at any universities you have interest in. These people want to help you make the right decisions. Let them help you. Good luck, Ivan.
Updated
David’s Answer
No matter which engineering discipline you're aiming for, you'll find that most programs kick off with the same core classes in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Your need for Biology will vary based on the specific engineering field you're drawn to. But don't worry, even a basic understanding of biology can help you better comprehend and appreciate the world around you. It's not a waste, even if your chosen engineering field doesn't heavily rely on biology. The math classes you're currently taking are laying a solid foundation for any engineering field you might venture into in the future. Adding physics and chemistry to your knowledge base will only strengthen this foundation.
Enrolling in AP classes is a great way to get a taste of the challenges you'll face in college-level courses. This early exposure can be very beneficial when you eventually start college. Plus, AP classes offer the chance to earn college credits, giving you a head start on your college degree. This could also potentially lower your overall college costs, if that's something you're concerned about.
As other responders have suggested, don't hesitate to reach out to your guidance counselor for advice on engineering program prerequisites. They're likely to have college course catalogs on hand, or they can point you towards helpful websites for you to explore.
Enrolling in AP classes is a great way to get a taste of the challenges you'll face in college-level courses. This early exposure can be very beneficial when you eventually start college. Plus, AP classes offer the chance to earn college credits, giving you a head start on your college degree. This could also potentially lower your overall college costs, if that's something you're concerned about.
As other responders have suggested, don't hesitate to reach out to your guidance counselor for advice on engineering program prerequisites. They're likely to have college course catalogs on hand, or they can point you towards helpful websites for you to explore.