Engineering

[Beardo]

I need some synopsis on the following engineering departments:
- Electrical
- Civil
- Mechanical

And also, if someone could provide me some very BASIC and GENERAL synopsis of Physics.

I'm contemplating a major career change in my life and I want to do as much research as possible before delving into it.

Jazakumullahu Khair SO MUCH in advance. Your duas requested, PLEASE.

[tango92]

as a newbie engineer consider my advice a newbs advice

electrical - sometimes known as electrical and electronic engineering - from what i hear is tough as bones. i got some bros doing it ill ask them about it 4 u.
civil - real easy apparently - you learn about how to make stuff like bridges, roads, buildings, tunnels. super cool stuff.
mechanical - the "general" engineer. im doing this currently. its a bit of everything. a mech eng can go into engine design, machine maintenence. civil eng is a branch of mechanical engineering.

according to my sources (almost every1 at uni) aero engineering and electrical engineering are the hardest. also many engineers simply go into finance/banking becuase they have a maths based degree.

i think most pure sciences dont offer very good job prospects

[Life_Is_Short]

Medicine. :p

[sister herb]

Have you though about environmental engineering? I know one brother from Gaza whose is studing this field right now.

Any way; world without engineers in general looks... complicated:

(Sorry a little joking :statisfie)

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[Muhaba]

Try the website Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov and research the careers you want to consider.

[Tyrion]

I can't say much about engineering as a major/career, but there is one thing I can say... Make sure you're really really into it... I can't tell you how many engineers I know of who, after 2 years of studying (regardless of whether they did it for themselves, the money, or their parents), realize that they just aren't as interested in engineering as they once were... And they realize that they really don't want to spend the rest of their lives doing it. At that point though, they've pretty much taken nothing but the engineering prerequisite classes, and they're left with no choice but to continue the engineering path. It's quite sad really.

[Yanal]

:sl:

I am also thinking on which career I should think about,so far Engineering is on the list,so this thread will be beneficial for me too,insha'Allaah.

[tigerkhan]

:sl:
it depend on the country situation as well..... eg if u are in pakistan i suggest go on Civil........ one bcz there are v.less univeristies offering this pgm...so low no of civil engineers....low competition...univeristies dont offer this bcz to establish labs for civil engineering is bit difficult...2nd u can establish ur own business by making a contruction company and earn 1000 more than u earn in jobs.... so see these parameters in ur country...then choose the field...
professional already in field guide in a better way...and obviously right descion in right time is v.important...and its only experienced professional who can guide better.....
:wa:

[tango92]

:sl:
it depend on the country situation as well..... eg if u are in pakistan i suggest go on Civil........ one bcz there are v.less univeristies offering this pgm...so low no of civil engineers....low competition...univeristies dont offer this bcz to establish labs for civil engineering is bit difficult...2nd u can establish ur own business by making a contruction company and earn 1000 more than u earn in jobs.... so see these parameters in ur country...then choose the field...
professional already in field guide in a better way...and obviously right descion in right time is v.important...and its only experienced professional who can guide better.....
:wa:

yes i agree. im hoping to do that with mechanical aswell. anyway civil is defo really cool

[أحمد]

:sl:

Electronics & Electrical Engineering is very easy, I'm not sure about the others. Physics isn't as easy as Electronics, but its manageable.

Sample Electronics Y1: Includes simple single/double circuit device project and two tests. You need to know very little or nothing on the subject to get started. I would recommend any Electronics practical/project book to give you some background knowledge. If you know anything about computers; its an advantage, as computers do run on electricity.

As the sample I've given is a bit old; I'll paste current real module information below. Click links for details:

Electrical Engineering:

Year 1

• Computing for Electronic Engineering
• Digital and Analogue Electronics
• Principles and Circuits
• Electrical Systems Engineering
• Transition Mathematics
• Engineering Mathematics
• IT & Communications Skills
• Introduction to Business Management

Year 2

• Digital and Programmable Systems
• Communications Systems Engineering
• Electronic Systems Analysis
• Electrical Systems Engineering
• Themed Design Project
• Value-based Strategy
• Professional Studies

Year 3 - Optional placement year

Final Year

• Individual Final Year Project
• Digital Systems Design

Specialist electives including:

• Digital Transmission
• Internetworking
• Optical Communications Systems
• Radio Systems and PC Networks
• Optoelectronics
• Digital Systems Architecture
• Signal Processing
• Project Management
• Advanced Control Systems
• Electroheat

Undergraduate Study of Physics at Cambridge


Science students in Cambridge read for the Natural Sciences Tripos, which covers all the Physical and Biological Sciences, but is separate from Medicine, Engineering, and Mathematics. In their first year (Part IA), they will typically divide their time between three experimental sciences and mathematics (about 400 students take physics). In the second year (Part IB) and third years (Part II) about 150 physicists concentrate solely on physics and mathematics and they can graduate at this point with a BA degree. Most of our students (around 120) choose to continue to a fourth year (Part III) where they take a range of masters level courses in physics and related disciplines, do an advanced project, and graduate with an MSci degree.
The teaching term is short and intense (three terms of eight weeks) and in the first three years most of the assessment is by end of year examination. Since we do not teach pre-meds or engineers, almost all of our teaching is to students who are excited by the subject.
The Department of Physics in Cambridge offers both three- and four-year courses in physics, which form the two basic routes to a first degree with specialisation in physics. The four-year course is designed for students who wish to pursue a professional career in physics, for example, in academic or industrial research. The three-year course is designed for students with a deep interest in the subject but who may not intend to become professional physicists. A very wide range of career options are open to graduates from either course. The three-year course leads to an honours degree of Bachelor of Arts, B.A.; the four-year course leads to an honours degree of Master of Natural Sciences, M.Sci., together with a B.A.
An important objective of the three/four-year course is to develop an understanding of 'core physics' at successively deeper levels, each stage revealing new phenomena and greater insight into the behaviour of matter and radiation.

• Part IA (Year 1)
• Part IB (Year 2)
• Part II (Year 3)
• Part III (Year 4)

Overview of the undergraduate Physics courses (PDF) in the Natural Sciences Tripos, including aims and objectives, Tables of the courses for the each term for each year-group, and a flow chart showing various route through the undergraduate physics course.
The Physics Course Handbook (the so-called "Blue Book", as PDF) gives details about all the physics courses available for undergraduates. All students receive an updated copy each year. The table of contents is clickable in order that you can access any section of the guide. Either use the reverse key to recover the table of contents for further navigation, or click on the bookmark for the table of contents.
Important revisions of the course, started four years ago, are now (2005-6) continuing in the fourth year (Part III): this guide supersedes earlier guidance.
Further information

• Details of the NST Part II and Part III Astrophysics courses, which are taught by the Institute of Astronomy.
• The Natural Sciences Tripos web site (with information for both current and prospective students).

Resources

• Learning aims and outcomes (NST website, external link)
• Examination classing scheme (NST website, external link)
• Classing scheme for Parts II and III

:wa:

[tango92]

so i talked to a fellow paki doing physics. he said the first 2 yrs are basically general physics like what you would learn in high school. obviousy more advanced. you also do quantam mchanics etc. 3rd and 4th yrs become much more specialised.

as for your career prospects, physicists can go into a very broad line of employment. anything engineers can go into physicists can do aswell. ofcourse probably after postgraduate study/ a training course. theres always research as with any science degree, but i hear it has pretty poor pay. i guess its for the "passionate" people.