Architectural Designs

Engineering .......Do you know anything about Engineering?

I would like to become an engineer/architect because Im interested in the fact of designing things, houses or bulidngs to improve our lifestyle. I love to design. Im in high school. The only thing is Im not so great in math, but I am improving. I want to be an engineer or an architect so badly, but I dont want my math skills and scores to destroy my dreams...What can I do? All I can really do is try...but I dont want to struggle once I am a real engineer/architect. * Another question...I am a girl, what field is best for me? I was going for Civil engineer or architectual engineer. Just your opionion... THank u Agricultural Engineering Architectural Engineering Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering Ceramic Engineering Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Industrial Engineering Manufacturing Engineering Mechanic Engineering Metallurgy and Materials Engineering Mineral and Mining Engineering

Public Comments

1. I am a Unix Engineer, and i was weak in Math skills back in school. Its not that bad, all you have to do is study hard, and dont let ANYONE tell you that you cant do something
2. Unfortunately you better get your Caculus skills up Calc Statistics math Chemistry Math Physics required Architects are baby engineers covering chemical, mechanical, ectricial, structural and civil engineer disciplines to a degree (they employe actual engineers to help them do their work). The basic thing is the thrust of their work. An engineer builds a building like a box and says "what can we take out to make it stand and cost less to build" The Architect says What do we need to add, no matter the cost, to use Italian Marble over the entire front in a Art Deco motif and make sure this building stands for 400 years or more.
3. Hang in there! Keep practicing your math and you will get stronger. I work in a large engineering firm that designs/builds power plants, and consults on alternate energy sources. There are architects who specify the color of the carpet, walls, type of flooring, etc. that requires minimal calculations. The civil and mechanicals require more math and apply formulas to figure out torque and pressure and particles in the air, etc. It is typically male-dominated, but there are more women coming out of colleges these days. Most female engineers are in civil or mechanical fields, which are very broad and give you lots of opportunities. Yes, there is math involved, but when it is applied to a specific task rather than the formulas/other monotony involved in the classroom, it is different. Try getting an internship in an engineering company... or go to an "engineers without borders" meeting and meet some to mentor you. Whatever you do, you need to have passion for it. Good luck!
4. I am a female engineer... 10 years into my career. Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking ... it's a male dominated field and engineers are not forward thinkers .... it's kind of old-school male dominated ... it's been tough at times but I am enjoying it now. I got my degree in environmental engineering but I've worked in civil for over 8 years. the environmental angle is tough - there are a lot of people with environmental science degrees that compete for the same jobs and they don't require same pay ... so you get underpaid in environmental. architecture may be a better choice if you really are not too strong in mathematics. you can test it out by working your way up to calculus and see how that goes. Also the engineering class "dynamics" is a good test. A lot of students change majors after not being able to get through that class. I failed Calculus the first time I took it and had a wonderful teacher who encouraged me - I just didn't have the study skills to do it right... I missed classes, refused to do homework, I used pen to do my work and didn't even own a calculator!!! suffice to say, I changed all that. The most important factor to succeeding is perserverance..... I work with architects a lot and I respect what they do... but you will have to have an eye for design.... you have to be able to imagine what things will look like and all that.... I think you can keep both options open until you learn more about yourself and what your strengths are..... Good luck!
5. Engineering and architecture are different, outside the building or inside the building. unless you have the exceptions like unusual structural or landscape architec. A dual major would be nice, but hard. Pick one and go for it. (you can always switch majors later) math is important, and it is easier if you take it on in smaller steps. lastly, being a girl is not a factor. everyone will be equally qualified after they get the degree.
6. I know the difference between tolerance and clearance! Try these engineering fields: Social Engineering, Space Engineering, Military Engineering, and Nano Engineering! And of course Design Engineering!
7. First off, don't set yourself up for failure before you get started. There are plenty of women in the field and aspiring to be in the field and there's no reason for you to not be there with them. The main thing is figure out what you want. As you noted, there are a lot of fields in engineering and when you get into the field you will see even more direction and specialty within a given area. Research the fields and see what's most appealing to you. When you are passionate about something then you will see yourself succeed in ways you never thought possible. I am a Water Resources Engineer but my degree is in Biological Systems Engineering. I picked my degree b/c I had a love for the environment and wanted to improve it. I also loved the water and aquatic activities when I was younger so it ended up being a perfect fit for me. Stick with it kiddo and you'll make it. The math, physics, chemistry, etc... is tough but they are weed out classes. Once you get into your major and you network with your classes you work as a team on assignments and things become a lot easier. In the end, it'll be worth the struggle and sacrafices you've made. That's what employers look for mostly is the dedication to make ti through tough times. Good luck and keep your head up.
8. Get a GOOD math tutor. I used to tutor math and was surprised to find students who at first hated math ending up loving math -- once they understood it. Some said it was like doing a puzzle, surprised that it could b sort of fun. This is where you want to get to. Some schools get funding to offer FREE tutoring (the government pays for it). So ask at your school if this is available. If not, ask your parents if they can pay for a tutor to come in once a week. I used to charge $20/hr, so maybe that is what you can find one for (but check out free help first !). And, if you get a tutor but aren't learning after a couple sessions, change to a different tutor! Students don't get to switch teachers if they don't understand stuff, but that doesn't hold for tutors -- you should keep searching until you find that person who can explain things so you can understand. Then math will be fun, and you will be able to do it on your own without a tutor !
9. I am an electrical engineer, and I have been around many Civil and Architectural. When it comes to math avoid electrical or computer, as an electrical or computer you take at least 3 more credit hours in math. When it comes to math, most universities, want you to take, Calc 1, 2, 3 and a subject known as Differential Equations. Out of all of those, calculus 2 is the toughest. You will have to take stat, which is a joke, and many of the science classes you will take will be based heavily upon calculus. When it comes to if you want to be a Civil or Architectural, from what I have seen it depends on what you like to do. Most architectural engineers I know, spend 5 years in college, and then 4 more as an intern. They spend most to if not all of their lives in a studio doing nothing more than just building their designs into scale replicas. As a Civil on the other hand, you focus on bridges, and structures made of concrete.