mainetiger LSU Fan Stockton Springs ME Member since Sep 2012 230 posts
Civil Engineering Majors (Posted on 3/6/13 at 8:11 am)
I am heading up to attend the University of Maine Engineering Program this fall. What classes should I take this spring/summer to better prepare myself? Pre-calc definetly seems like a good start. Anything else?
mcneil912 LSU Fan Member since Feb 2013 905 posts Online
re: Civil Engineering Majors (Posted on 3/6/13 at 8:16 am to mainetiger)
Calculus is used in every engineering class in some way or another. That is the most important IMO. Not sure if there are prep classes that deal with forces but you will deal with them throughout your first year in physics and statics a whole bunch. Pretty easy concept to catch on to though so not sure if needed.
Rush2112 LSU Fan Asheville Member since Mar 2008 752 posts
re: Civil Engineering Majors (Posted on 3/6/13 at 8:31 am to Cap Crunch)
quote: Probably a PHYS 1100 equivalent
I second this. A lot of people think you just have to be good at math to be an engineer, but there are many students that are good at math, but cannot apply it. Physics deals with applying the math and is more problem solving oriented rather than just following defined steps, and will get you thinking like an engineer.
re: Civil Engineering Majors (Posted on 3/6/13 at 8:39 am to Rush2112)
No offense, but did you make decent grades in high school? It's been a while since I graduated high school, but almost everyone I knew was taking Calculus there senior year let alone Pre-Calc the summer after. If you've never been exposed to Calculus you definitely need to take Pre-Calc over the summer.
Calculus isn't a tenth as hard as people make it out to be, but it's like a new language. If you go in with no exposure to a college Calculus class (especially if you get some large Calc 101 class with some foreign TA) it can be frustrating for people. Some other thoughts:
-Physics would help as it will expose you to vectors. I don't think it's that important as vectors is just mixing forces with trig, but it might help to see it before going to a Statics class. I will say my freshman Physics class did a shit-ton with circuits and electronics crap that I don't even mildly understand nor did I ever need it as a CE so take that in mind.
-If there are any AutoCad or Excel courses it probably wouldn't hurt to take these depending on your exposure level to each. There was this general Engineering Programming 101 class or something like that my freshman year that dealt with AutoCad half the semester and Excel the other half. It was very beneficial for me as I used these programs alot in school.
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