<p>I’ve completed 2-years of a math + econ double, but am currently going through the motions a little bit, particularly with regards to the economics half. </p>
<p>I feel that much of what I have learnt is not practical, and though mentally stimulating, is not worth remembering. The only classes I believe that have improved me - that is, have made smarter, more articulate, a better thinker, improved my reasoning etc - are introductory logic and real analysis. The rest of it has been all about learning the material in the days before the test, remembering it for sufficiently long enough, and forgetting it afterwards.</p>
<p>For that reason, I’m considering changing the econ part of my degree to engineering of some sort, perhaps computer science.</p>
<p>My question is: do you engineering majors feel the same way with regards to your courses? Do you feel as if your merely ticking boxes to get your piece of paper (aka degree)?</p>
<p>Not at all, interesting you bring that up but I’ll poke at a few examples:
*Physics gives you a peek at how things work, you’ll probably come away from physics with at least one little favorite fact that applies to how/why something works in the real world. Mine right now is about electron gaps having to do with how diamonds are transparent and silicon isn’t. </p>
<p>*Engineering classes specific to your major are mostly about learning stuff and using it to make other stuff - computer science guys can use their knowledge to make real working stuff, it might not be much but it works… I made some little toys in both of my electrical engineering classes so far, and I can’t wait to get into the next few project-related classes I have :D</p>
<p>Really though, it can be pretty heavy on the work and theory, and there always seems to be this looming negativity on the forum about outsourcing and stuff, but it’s fun to learn and work with.</p>
<p>Note, you need both Theory (those learnings) and Application (putting those learnings in action). IMO, engineering schools focus on one or the other, rarely do they do both adequately. This is most likely the case for most majors, and most likely the case for all undergrad programs. My advice, if you like the subject matter but dislike that you aren’t applying it then find a way to apply it on your own. Intership, work study, co-op, etc. are all good ways to further understand what it is you are learning. If you are expecting schooling to give you understanding that you will never have it. You must use your school for what it has to offer, and the suppliment the rest.</p>
<p>It varies. I’ve taken classes that have been useless to me. I went in, memorized as much as possible, took the test, and dumped everything. The knowledge wasn’t useful, and the class didn’t help me become a better thinker or anything. I’ve also taken classes that have been excellent, I learned a lot, I retained what I learned, and it helped me become a better thinker.</p>
<p>I’m dual majoring in Industrial Engineering and Computer Science, and while I have only taken 5 CS classes, I think as a general rule, CS is better at teaching you something useful that you’ll retain than IE. However, a few classes in IE I’ve had have been really great are are immensely useful, moreso than anything I’ve had in CS. While IE is probably the closest match for someone who would have otherwise majored in Econ, CS is definitely worth considering also.</p>
<p>Interesting. Real Analysis always made feel bad because it was kinda hard and useless (though I hear its useful Ph D econ people for some reason …)</p>
<p>IMO opinion cs will probably the easiest to switch to (and its fun!), so try an intro class next semester. Even if you hate it, it probably meets some weird requirement and a class of programming is always good to have.</p>