<p>If so, why?</p>
<p>What if your spatial reasoning ability is modest? How much would that hurt you?</p>
<p>Disclaimer: I am a senior in chemical engineering, so I can only answer with regards to undergraduate chemical engineering, which is much less ``hands-on’’ than most engineering majors.
Spatial reasoning, which I interpreted as ability to imagine multidimensional systems easily,'' is not strictly needed. Skill with mathematical methods can carry you through the engineering science courses: thermo, transport, separations, reactions. It turns out that the physical component of problems in those courses is fairly trivial (e.g.,the flow of a circular fountain can be simplified to its radial component''): people tend to get stuck on the math, which requires little to no ``spatial reasoning.'' Of course, if you get into courses like statics (which, as a ChemE major, I have not done), it may help somewhat.</p>
<p>tl;dr ODEs + PDEs + transforms (Laplace, Fourier) are really all you need for engineering science courses \ldots\ everything else is accounting (if you can invert a matrix, you are good to go for accounting). The instructor will likely explain how to translate physical systems to mathematical systems in lecture.</p>
<p>You don’t need it but it would certainly help. Having a firm grasp of the math is important, but it is, in my opinion, easier to do that if you have a decent ability to visualize what is actually going on.</p>
<p>It’s pretty important in structural engineering. And my spatial reasoning ability is VERY modest. It has really been a handicap. When I’m trying to visualize complicated roof framing, I struggle. I’ve done some 3D drafting (using Revit), and that was hard, too, although at least when I finished a model I could tell what it looked like!</p>
<p>I’ve learned not to panic. I take a deep breath and look at a drawing like it’s a puzzle, and take it apart piece by piece.</p>
<p>Play lots of video games - it helps. In some aspects of engineering (EE or ChemE) it’s not important. But try Civil or Mechanical… it’s very useful. Architecture, even more so.</p>
<p>Having 3D tools helps once you get the hang of them. My architecture student daughter thinks in 3D (Rhino, Revit, 3DS Max) and most of the time she starts not with sketches but with sketch models. I was like her in my youth but there was no 3D CAD back then…</p>
<p>Spatial reasoning is not my best skill, but I did ok in engineering classes. The intro design/drawing class (all by hand at the time) was harder for me than some classmates, but I got through it. As explained above, ability to gut out math/calc is critical.</p>
<p>I could have written what colorado-mom wrote. My engineering graphics class was harder for me than for others in the class. I remember overhearing conversations that were beyond me as I was still trying to figure out how the parts all fit together. (and yes, all drawing done by hand.) I actually enjoyed the class even though it didn’t come as naturally to me as to others. With practice though, you can improve on it. I now do quite a bit of 3-D modeling, and this “deficit” hasn’t held me back. Work on the weaknesses and continue to develop your strenghths.</p>