Why Science Majors Change Their Minds (It’s Just So Darn Hard)

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Trent B

I guess to try and clarify that point. The material is hard, no way around that it is what it is. But it seems like many of the gen ed professors are more apathetic than the ones teaching courses that are in a particular major. Because of this they often aren't as clear on what they are trying to teach, as a result kids get confused do poorly on the exams and start to give up. When this happens and the prof sees people dropping left and right or just not trying anymore, why should they try so hard to teach. Thus we enter the vicious cycle.

I am not sure what the best way out is.

And hey Akash, let me know next time you need a material for your engineering project. Oh wait, everything is made of materials isn't it? (sarcasm)

Your issue might be with the course itself. Our school doesn't run Statics & Mechanics as a gen ed class whereas Fundamentals of Materials is gen ed for all engineering students. I love my statics class, loathe materials.

It really just depends where you are, if you enjoy the material in class in the first place, and who your teachers are.

I thin its also really important that kids from FRC have some idea of real world applications of what they are learning in class. In my case, I absolutely love statics and dynamics because I know where I can apply it to a robot. Lots of things come into play.