wowww

So after summer I'll be starting my senior year. I decided on taking some advanced classes to get a grip on being an electrical engineer

AP Physics and Pre Calculus

I've always earned B's in my mathematics, although last year my teacher sucked horribly and passed me with a 70 along with 3quarters of the class. The physics class I took last year where teacher was actually decent, I walked away with an A+

Well today my parents received a phone call from the school telling me that I need to choose a LOWER level physics course and basically abandon all hope. They I'm not "good" enough.

These mofos are always praising kids to go above and beyond the skill set, although when I try, they attempt shutting me down. Hypocrites!

Just felt like ranting

Wow, some school you must be attending. I hope its not a private school, thoes remarks you should not have to pay for.

Tell them you want to take it. If it's a public school they have to allow you to take the course if you've met the prerequisites.

Also, Pre Calculus is NOT going to be an advanced class for going into engineering. Most people go into engineering have already taken Calculus in HS.

If you are going to be an EE then you really don't need physics too much...I am going into my senior year of college and going to be graduating with a bachelors degree in EE.....just wait until you get to signals and EM fields classes....and yes math is a huge part of this major....

Sucks that your school is telling you to take lower level classes....I would not even listen to them as long as you are dedicated to do it...and you sound like you are...

i've heard from 3 EE I know that physics is as important as math. always nice hearing from another person too

ha screw what they say, idc what a peice of paper says im capable of

My fiance graduated with a math degree (which is only a couple classes different from engineering) and she only took two physics classes in college......, but lots of math classes.

jol102001 wrote:

My fiance graduated with a math degree (which is only a couple classes different from engineering) and she only took two physics classes in college......, but lots of math classes.

I'm not sure where you heard a math degree is only a couple classes different from an engineering degree but I HIGHLY doubt it.

Lets look at the two big engineering classes, ME and EE. Does a math degree take thermo? systems analysis? fluid dynamics? structural design? machine design? What about analog circuit design? digital circuits? electro mechanics? signals? EM fields?

At Purdue there was only 5 semesters of math; Differential Calc (commonly called Calc 1), Integral Calc (commonly called Calc 2), Multi-variable Calc, Linear Algebra and Ordinary Differential Equations, and Partial Differential Equations.

Here's a link to the full class breakdown for Purdue undergraduate ME:
https://engineering.purdue.edu/ME/Academics/Undergraduate/map2007.pdf

And here's a link to the class breakdown for Purdue undergraduate ECE:
http://posserver.ecn.purdue.edu/eceugo/pos.asp?degree=bsee&option=1

Take the word "couple" with a grain of salt. I didn't literally mean two classes. What I meant was math degrees and engineering degrees take the same maths/computer sciences/physics/basics/etc.

jol102001 wrote:

Take the word "couple" with a grain of salt. I didn't literally mean two classes. What I meant was math degrees and engineering degrees take the same maths/computer sciences/physics/basics/etc.

ok, I thought you meant they were only off by 2 or 3 classes.

**** it. just don't try, so if you don't suceed, you won't be dissapointed.

JSewell wrote:

i've heard from 3 EE I know that physics is as important as math. always nice hearing from another person too ha screw what they say, idc what a peice of paper says im capable of

I have my EE, and I can tell you that math and physics classes are VERY important. There is more emphasis on the math, but engineering is the practical application of physics.

If you are seriously planning on going this route, do yourself a favor and buy the book called "The Art of Electronics". It starts with the basics and goes all the way through the advanced stuff. It is pretty good about explaining technical concepts, that are "invisible" for the most part, with tangible example. For example... Voltage is similar to how much water you have in a tank and current is like the water flow through a hose.

After you finish school... you'll find out that "working" EE's don't do longhand math. We have simulator and tools that do the number crunching. You basically have to go through all the pain get a good understanding of the concepts at hand - which is the most important part.

Having a EE will open up a lot of opportunities for you. I've been able to travel quite a bit internationally in my job... China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan and Israel. You will probably even come up with several innovative applications through the process of your work and apply for patents. It takes forever for them to go through (~5 years) but its a pretty good feeling to get one or two of those under your belt.

Good luck!
Cartman

JSewell wrote:

Well today my parents received a phone call from the school telling me that I need to choose a LOWER level physics course and basically abandon all hope. They I'm not "good" enough.

F-that! Do you have a community college or something nearby? A lot of high schools will accept credits from CC courses. Just make sure they agree that is the case before you do it. And make them put it on paper.

My high school told me the same thing, I ended up having to make my parents go in and talk to them and say that they supported my decision, and finally they let me take the courses I wanted.

Def. take pre-calc in high school, my college required it from all students (Worcester Polytechnic).

EE (again, from WPI) tend to know enough CS that they can do some stuff in that field as well. ME can do some CE stuff, and vice versa...

Degrees are over-rated.

Don't let your HS tell you what classes to take. You are def going to want to take the math and physics class. I have always been pretty bad in math, but decided on the engineering route as well. I made it through with some studying and help from friends. It can be done.

JSewell wrote:

So after summer I'll be starting my senior year. I decided on taking some advanced classes to get a grip on being an electrical engineer AP Physics and Pre Calculus I've always earned B's in my mathematics, although last year my teacher sucked horribly and passed me with a 70 along with 3quarters of the class. The physics class I took last year where teacher was actually decent, I walked away with an A+ Well today my parents received a phone call from the school telling me that I need to choose a LOWER level physics course and basically abandon all hope. They I'm not "good" enough. These mofos are always praising kids to go above and beyond the skill set, although when I try, they attempt shutting me down. Hypocrites! Just felt like ranting

You will become what you want and get what you want out of it....don't let anyone tell you differently.

Thanks for the links PwrRngr

I'll be buying the Art of Electronics ASAP

And on Tuesday when I'm off work I'm going to the school myself to tell them how dumb they are

I had no idea there were EE's on this site, that's badass, any help is always a help