Should I major in environmental engineering? Is it a difficult major?
In my opinion I don't think your interests should solely be the reason for selecting a major. Times are tough now a days, you have to consider the job market and research if there is a demand for environmental engineers around your area or around where you want to work. Overall, I know there is a relatively lower demand for it worldwide if you compare it with hardware engineering or petroleum engineering. But that was not your question, I just had to let you know. About difficulty, if you're a sophomore then I will be assuming you have taken all the basic math (calculus) and mechanics (statics/dynamics) courses demanded by most engineering schools. Also the insignificant but yet mandatory statistics, logic,etc blah blah blah minute social science courses which have absolutely no purpose for engineering students. If not then those will be your first hurdles, it was kind of hard for me because I was not ready for that level of difficulty. But...once you get over it, the last 2 years of college will really be more interesting rather than hard, especially since you have an interest for it. I did Civil Engineering by the way and the first couple of years were the hardest I had to endure...I had to take some environmental classes and I was bored, I don't know maybe waste water, water supply, or soil pollution etc...weren't really my interests. Bottom line. As an engineering student, you will face all the courses that you have to pass at first, which are more difficult in my opinion, than the ones that actually matter; which will come towards the end of college. The job market should really be your concern though, people choose a field because they "enjoy" it and they end up working minimum wage jobs because the generation has kind of gotten colder and specialists are more in demand than generalists. Also ask your professors and advisers about the matter because it's pretty serious, don't make the decision without thorough research. Have you considered studying database systems, programming, or something in the health industry ( yuck I hate medicine btw...but they're having demands right not). Good luck on your quest.
Civil environmental engineering or bioengineering?
There are plenty of universities that have their own environmental engineering department, that is completely separate from the civil department. You could consider transferring to one of those universities. That said, I have some more thoughts for you: 1. It doesn't matter too much what your degree is in, particularly when you're talking about civil vs. environmental. Most environmental engineering firms won't have a problem hiring someone with a degree in civil engineering, and in fact that is where a lot of civils end up. The same can be said for an environmental engineer that wants to work for a civil engineering firm. 2. You're probably not going to enjoy every class you take. The degree is going to prepare you to go into a wide range of specialty fields (water treatment, solid waste, air pollution in particular, and that's just for an environmental-only degree. If you add civil, it will obviously be a lot more.) The idea is to find one field that you like, and then focus on that AFTER you graduate. 3. My last point: if you're interested in biology, even ecology, then I would say that even a purely environmental engineering degree might not be right for you. Despite the name, environmental engineering doesn't have a lot to do with "the environment" as most people use the word. It's really just more about cleaning up the messes that people make (in fact, the degree of environmental engineering used to be called 'sanitary engineering'; the name was only somewhat recently changed.) Most environmental engineers work with designing landfills, treating wastewater, air pollution, cleaning up contaminated soils, things like that. If you're interested in biology, then a switch to biomedical or agricultural engineering might be a good idea. If you have any other questions feel free to email me.
Bioengineering (UCSD) and Environmental Engineering (UCI) ABET confusion?
In my experience, accreditation is essential to get employment as a professional in any engineering field. Still, one can call oneself whatever one wants, caveat emptor. In general, opinions on the importance of ABET accreditation vary: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engi... Bioengineering is a sound professional field. http://www.google.com/search?q=Bioengine... You would need to check with the uni of interest to find what you would need for any Master's program. UCI's Environmental program is accredited, as you say, and seems a good entrance to that field. http://www.eng.uci.edu/grad/concentratio... UCSD at least has a BS program in Environmental Engineering, as you know, http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=FHf&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&ei=8ebSS5inDILmswP64aWGCg&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&ved=0CAUQBSgA&q=UCSD+environmental+engineering&spell=1 and you really should avail yourself of the opportunity to discuss all your concerns with Professors and other Student Advisers. ♫ All of your respondents will have tried hard to help you. Please assign one of us Best Answer with feedback. Thanks. .
What major should I take at UC Davis, environmental engineering or biotechnology?
The answer to your question should be what do you want to do as a career for most of the rest of your life? Both are good fields, but if you are thinking of working in the US, biotechnology, especially in the area of biogenetics, synthetic biology, bioethics, and bioengineering are interesting future fields. Environmental engineering, on the other hand, is an older science and, my guess is less in demand in the US. It probably has a high demand in countries that need pollution control, like China.It is important you like what you are doing. In my experience, I have seen many young people get a degree and find out in a few months, this was not their cup of tea. Sad, to waste at least 4 years to find out their major was not to their liking in real life. The more you can explore reality, the better. Maybe working as an intern? Work/study program? Even as a summer volunteer might help. In most cases, your first 2 years have about the same classes any STEM major takes except for the electives for your major. The sooner you decide the better, but it is never too late to change.
Civil or environmental engineering?
You might want to look into specializing in Water Resources classes in Civil Engineering as well as minoring in environmental studies. It will be the growth job in the future since the population is growing and the sources of cheap potable water is dwindling. Water is life, a person can die in 3 days without water while people have gone 6 weeks without food and still survived. There are already fights between States over water resources and it will get worse as the population grows and the water sources are polluted.
Civil & Environmental Engineering or Environmental Engineering: same thing?
Environmental Engineering is a discipline within Civil Engineering. Generally a college curriculum covers many broad topics within the Civil Engineering "major". If the environmental is what you would like to focus on you will be able to choose a few classes that are more geared towards that aspect. i.e. water resources vs. concrete design. The discipline becomes more important when you sit for your license. You will need to decide within Civil Engineering what you want to do. Transportation, Structural, Environmental, etc. I hope that helps answer your question. Good luck.
UCSD v Harvey Mudd for Bioengineering or Engineering?
I'm thinking about majoring in bioengineering, and I know that UCSD has a top-ranked program for that. I loved everything about the campus and since I am in-state I would have cheaper tuition. I also like the small college feel within the big university. Am I stupid to not want to go to Harvey Mudd? I haven't visited, but I like small schools and personal relationships with my teachers, so it sounds like it would be a good fit. Does anyone who goes to either of these schools have any input? Pros and cons of each? Thanks for any help!!