<p>So I’m interested in going into engineering (I’m thinking mechanical), but I’ve heard that at a lot of schools, the first two years are really math and physics heavy, and you don’t get to do the real world connections until junior and senior year. Is this true for most schools? I was never amazing at math and science, so I think it would help me if I were also learning how the topics related to engineering at the same time. I’m applying to Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Dartmouth, University of Michigan, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Purdue, SUNY Buffalo, UVA, and UC Boulder. Are any of those less math and physics heavy initially? Are there other schools I should add? Thank you!</p>
<p>I am sorry to tell you that any ABET accredited Engineering program is pretty much the same in the first two years. One course in Calculus or Differential Equations each semester plus 2-3 physics courses in the first two years. In addition you will need to take Chemistry for at least 1-2 semesters (more for Chemical or Biomedical Engineering). The good news is that in most Mechanical Engineering programs you will start having some engineering courses in the second year and a few programs have an introductory engineering course in the first semester where you can get a basic exposure to engineering principles.</p>
<p>Your ONLY chance is computer science and ONLY at a handful of schools. Many CS programs require for Math:</p>
<p>Calculus I
Calculus II
Linear Algebra
Discrete Math</p>
<p>That is still one Math course per semester during your first two years. Some schools may not have the Probability/Statistics requirement (which comes in handy in network courses). Where the select handful colleges differ is that they MIGHT allow another science like Biology to fulfill the science requirement, instead of Physics. I stress though…that is few.</p>
<p>Comment above nailed it on the head. You don’t want a degree that isn’t accredited, but part of the accreditation requires the heavy math and physics understanding before undertaking the actual engineering classes.</p>
<p>ABET accredited engineering and CS majors will require at least a year’s worth of math and science (“year” meaning 1/4 of the total number of courses or credits for the degree, typically 30-32 semester credit units).</p>
<p>As noted in post #3, there exist non-ABET-accredited CS majors which have fewer math requirements and fewer or no science requirements. These can still be good quality CS majors (although there also exist poor quality non-ABET-accredited CS majors, so check carefully). ABET accreditation for CS is only really important for the patent exam, unlike for engineering where it (or mutually recognized accreditation of foreign engineering degrees) is generally considered essential for most engineering majors.</p>
<p>Any decent engineering major will start out with math and physics (and chemistry if needed for the major), as an understanding of those subjects is a necessary prerequisite to most engineering courses.</p>
<p>Its impossible to understand any “real world connections” until you have taken the math, chemistry, and physics.</p>
<p>Is suggest getting yourself comfortable with mathematics and science, particularly physics, rather than looking for a program that is light on math and science. Those subjects are the foundation upon which an engineering education is built. If that seems too much then maybe consider engineering technology instead.</p>
<p>Like others have said, you won’t be able to avoid heavy math/science requirements anywhere for an engineering/cs degree. However, you might thrive at a school like Cal Poly SLO that emphasizes “learning by doing.” You’ll still have theory-based classes, but it might be more manageable with hands-on labs/projects as well.</p>
<p>“So I’m interested in going into engineering (I’m thinking mechanical)” - Tell us more about what intests you. It’s possible that an engineering tech program would be better since less math intensive.</p>
<p>OP, perhaps you don’t really want to be an engineer but want to be a technician or a mechanic. There is nothing wrong with that. </p>
<p>These are much more hands on and don’t require as much math and physics. You want to look for schools with engineering technology programs. </p>
<p>Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston might be just the ticket. </p>
<p>[Mechanical</a> Engineering and Technology Programs : Wentworth Institute of Technology](<a href=“http://www.wit.edu/mechanical-engineering/programs/index.html]Mechanical”>http://www.wit.edu/mechanical-engineering/programs/index.html)</p>
<p>You could do a 3+2 program at a liberal arts college. That might be less intense initially.</p>
<p>Re: #10</p>
<p>Wentworth Institute of Technology is hardly the only school with engineering technology majors, although engineering technology majors appear to be only about a third as common as engineering majors.</p>
<p>Rochester Institute of Technology (which offers both types of majors) has a comparison page: <a href=“http://www.rit.edu/emcs/admissions/academics/majors/engineering-tech-or-engineering[/url]”>http://www.rit.edu/emcs/admissions/academics/majors/engineering-tech-or-engineering</a></p>
<p>Re: #11</p>
<p>3+2 programs still require taking math and science from the beginning; some limit your major at the “3” school to a math or science major, which means that you take *more<a href=“and%20more%20advanced”>/i</a> math and/or science in a 3+2 program than just going directly to an engineering major.</p>
<p>I know a local student who went to CSU (Colorado State University, Fort Collins), originally in Civil Engineering. He did not like all the calc etc. He switched to Construction Management and loved it. <a href=“http://www.cm.colostate.edu/[/url]”>Department of Construction Management;
<p>(CSU is just an example. Other colleges would have similar programs, maybe with different titles).</p>
<p>You might investigate a manufacturing-based degree, or something where you can spend time in a machine shop.</p>