Posted by Matt Ryan.
Student on team #69, HYPER, from Quincy Public Schools and Gillette.
Posted on 10/21/2000 9:31 AM MST
What high school courses should I take to be prepared to take a major in either Mechanical or Civil Engineering?
I might also go into Electrical Engineering, so could someone please include a couple of courses for that major, too?
Freshman/Waldo/Matt
Posted by Ken.
Student on team #192, Gunn Robotics Team, from Henry M. Gunn Senior High School.
Posted on 10/21/2000 3:31 PM MST
In Reply to: High School Courses for Mechanical/Civil Engineering posted by Matt Ryan on 10/21/2000 9:31 AM MST:
: What high school courses should I take to be prepared to take a major in either Mechanical or Civil Engineering?
Mathematics (from geometry to pre-cal, maybe even up to BC Calculus) and Physics (maybe up to Mechanics of AP Physics) are the most basic classes. And you want to know English well for Technical writings later… Then other electives will help as well: AutoCAD or drafting classes, any kind of shop classes, engineering technology/industrial engineering classes, and maybe even Statistic class or lab science class to help you understand your experiment results. And finally, just by joining the team, you will be on a much higher ground than any other high school student out there trying to get into Mechanical/Civil Engineering.
Posted by Chris. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Coach on team #308, Walled Lake Monster, from Walled Lake Schools and TRW Automotive Electronics.
Posted on 10/23/2000 1:57 PM MST
In Reply to: High School Courses for Mechanical/Civil Engineering posted by Matt Ryan on 10/21/2000 9:31 AM MST:
As mentioned below, as much math as possible, and physics. Statistics is nice for any engineering discipline.
When taking math, pay special attention to the following (most students learn just enough to pass the exam and forget about these topics):
The only thing I can say: you can’t have enough math. The more the better. And be sure you REALLY understand it.
Posted by Michael Ciavaglia.
Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Interior Systems.
Posted on 10/31/2000 5:45 AM MST
In Reply to: High School Courses for Mechanical/Civil Engineering posted by Matt Ryan on 10/21/2000 9:31 AM MST:
Matt,
It seems that you are not sure which field to go into ( Mechanical, Civil, or Electrical ).
Explore all fields…
But first, take all of the Math and Physics you can. These classes will help you regardless of which field you decide on.
Second, take drafting, electronics, and the other ‘hands on’ classes available. Again, these will give you a good background for whichever field you decide on.
Third, try to get a summer job/internship in each of the fields to have a chance to experience what each is really about.
Lastly, I struggled with the same question when I was in college. I will attempt to generalize these different fields in one sentence. 
Civil: You will build HUGE things that SHOULD never move.
Electrical: What can I say… The light goes on… The light goes off… Enough Said. 
Mechanical: The center of existence.
If the things that FIRST brings to life interests you, then you can’t go wrong with a Mechanical degree with a concentration in Controls.
Just my 2 cents.
Mike C.
Posted by Matt Leese.
Other on team #73 from Edison Technical HS and Rochester Institute of Technology.
Posted on 10/31/2000 4:12 PM MST
In Reply to: Explore the Possibilities! posted by Michael Ciavaglia on 10/31/2000 5:45 AM MST:
As far as the difference between Civil and Mechanical engineers goes let me say this: Mechanical engineers build weapons, civil engineers build targets. To further expand this analogy, electrical engineers make those weapons smart. Yes I have too much time on my hands…
Matt Leese
Posted by Matt Ryan.
Student on team #69, HYPER, from Quincy Public Schools and Gillette.
Posted on 11/1/2000 4:16 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: Explore the Possibilities! posted by Matt Leese on 10/31/2000 4:12 PM MST:
Mr. Leese, yes, you do have way too much time on your hands…but it’s true.
I would like to thank both of you for your help. I found Mr. Ciavaglia’s message humorous (‘Electrical: What can I say…The light goes on, the light goes off ;)’ ). I liked how Mr. Leese put things in perspective (‘Mechanical engineers build weapons, civil engineers make targets, electrical engineers make the weapons smart’).
Thank you again,
-=Matt Ryan=-
TEAM 69 INTELLIGENCE
Posted by Matt Leese.
Other on team #73 from Edison Technical HS and Rochester Institute of Technology.
Posted on 11/1/2000 7:51 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: Explore the Possibilities! posted by Matt Ryan on 11/1/2000 4:16 PM MST:
Mr. Leese? Now I feel old and I only just turned 18. For future reference, I respond to Matt, Matthew, or any variations there of. I really tend not to respond to Mr. Leese. As one of the engineers on my old team put it, ‘he’s my father.’ In general what I’m saying is, stick with Matt.
Matt (there, you can’t see my last name anymore)
Posted by Lora Knepper.
Other on team #419, Rambots, from UMass Boston / BC High and NASA, Mathsoft, Solidworks, Analog Devices.
Posted on 11/1/2000 7:54 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: Explore the Possibilities! posted by Matt Leese on 11/1/2000 7:51 PM MST:
’ I respond to Matt, Matthew, or any variations there of. ’
Don’t forget Evil-Matt!! wink
Posted by Matt Leese.
Other on team #73 from Edison Technical HS and Rochester Institute of Technology.
Posted on 11/1/2000 7:55 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: Explore the Possibilities! posted by Lora Knepper on 11/1/2000 7:54 PM MST:
: ’ I respond to Matt, Matthew, or any variations there of. ’
: Don’t forget Evil-Matt!! wink
That falls into variations thereof. I’ve also gotten Matty and Evil Matty. So there.
(Evil)Matt(y)
Posted by Lora Knepper.
Other on team #419, Rambots, from UMass Boston / BC High and NASA, Mathsoft, Solidworks, Analog Devices.
Posted on 11/1/2000 7:57 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: Explore the Possibilities! posted by Matt Leese on 11/1/2000 7:55 PM MST:
=P And Anti-Matt-er in Rambots Chat!
Ok, I’m going to be quiet now… goes and dives back into sponsorship hunt before someone kills me