Engineering?!

[Kasakato]

I am currently a high school student, going into Gr. 10, next Sept. I would like to start to decide on the type of courses I will take, and what I will do in the future. Sure it maybe early, but I would like to get a head start.

What I am interested in, is engineering. Since a little kid I have always enjoyed opening my Christmas presents, seeing how they work, and leaving it a mess :lol:

My problem is I dont know what type of engineering to get into. I like aerospace, and investing problems/problem solving. Maybe aerospace forensics? How does the field of engineering work? Do you do a general course to see what you like, and then get into more specific fields? Any help/guidance from engineers or engineering students is great.

[march9]

right now you should chill and relax, not worry about it.

most courses in grade 10 are compulsory anyways.

also grade 10 you take career which will help you discover your interests and passions.

maybe come back with this question next year this time around.

[jeeva86]

I'm in Engineering at U of T and the courses you'll need in gr 12 is Calculus, Algeo, Chemistry, Physics and English. I think they'll be changing the requirements, not sure. Basically, there are like 9 types of engineering at U of T. Engineering Science branches out to 5-6 more, not sure. Take a look at www.engineering.utoronto.ca to see the different types. It's good that you're planning ahead.

[TurboRegal]

Hmm, you sound a lot like me just a few short years ago :-P

I was the same, always wanted to go into engineering, but I didn't want the "usual" mechanical, civil, architectural, etc etc.

So I basically applied to a few schools out here, UofT for aeropace/engineering science, Ryerson or Carlton for Aerospace, and UofWaterloo for Nanotechnology Engineering. I decided on Nanotech and am loving every minute of it, but be wary, it ain't easy, you have to work! Most engineering at UW seems to be alot of general stuff in the first couple terms, with one or two specific courses to your field, where as nanotech basically the only thing similar you take is calculus, so if you do wanna switch it may be a bit of an issue, but I'm sure you could work something out. Basically IMO there is no replacement for the co-op at Waterloo, simply because it pays for a big chunk of your schooling as your in school, which is always nice... Also I don't think there is any way on earth I could have lived in the GTA (coming from Sask...) so that was just basically out of the questions.

If you have any more questions shoot me a PM or two, I'm sitting around all week, since I'm stuck in rez while everyone else is gone for reading week!

[isom3tric]

There's only 2 universities that offer an aerospace program. Ryerson and Carleton. I'm an electrical engineering student at Ryerson and all I have to say is there are A LOT of aerospace students, a lot are international students. People bash Ryerson a lot because its a baby university, but its an awesome school and I really like it.

But you're in grade 9 going into grade 10 next year and you already know what you're doing? Thats nuts, chillax for a bit. I heard that prerequisites are going to change soon for engineering so keep a look out for that. What I took was the 5 courses that jeeva86 listed EXCEPT I took data instead of algeo (worst mistake ever).

[wushudrew]

im in engineering at UT as well. the courses i took in grade 12 were calc (which might be changed), algeo (i think its called geometry and discrete math), english, physics, and chem. when i applied, english, physics, and chem were required. your second math could either be data management or algeo. there was also a sixth course, which was your next highest after the requirements.

problem solving is a major theme in engineering, so you chose the right field. engineering science at UT has an aerospace option that you can take after second year.

engineering programs at different universities work differently. some have common first (and maybe second) years, after which you go into the discipline into which you applied. other universities (like UT) have you go straight into your discipline of choice, with some common courses.

engineering science at UT is a different program thats split from the others. your first two years give you a very wide perspective of the engineering discipline as a whole. afterwards, you pick a specialization and pursue it for your remaining two years of study.

theres a university fair at the toronto convention centre every fall. most ontario universities have booths there, and you can just go in and pick reps' brains. dont worry about not being in grade 12; nobody cares and will answer your questions regardless. also, there are plenty of freebies being given out!

if youve got more questions, ask away.

[Sylvestre]

You are young, don't worry aout a career right now. Just focus on doing well in all your courses. If you want to consider engineering, take the necessary math & science courses when you get to higher grades.
Apply to any decent university (they are all the same) and you'll quickly find what you are (and aren't) interested in.

You will change your career aspirations at least a dozen times before you hit 20 so don't fret too much now. Just work hard to keep all options/avenues open and you'll be okay.

[toujours]

Maths, Physics, Chemistry (and maybe English and Biology too) can get you into a LOT of courses. Work on those and you will keep your options open.

A foreign language will help too if you want to travel.

[nwwong]

Hmm, you sound a lot like me just a few short years ago :-P

I was the same, always wanted to go into engineering, but I didn't want the "usual" mechanical, civil, architectural, etc etc.

So I basically applied to a few schools out here, UofT for aeropace/engineering science, Ryerson or Carlton for Aerospace, and UofWaterloo for Nanotechnology Engineering. I decided on Nanotech and am loving every minute of it, but be wary, it ain't easy, you have to work! Most engineering at UW seems to be alot of general stuff in the first couple terms, with one or two specific courses to your field, where as nanotech basically the only thing similar you take is calculus, so if you do wanna switch it may be a bit of an issue, but I'm sure you could work something out. Basically IMO there is no replacement for the co-op at Waterloo, simply because it pays for a big chunk of your schooling as your in school, which is always nice... Also I don't think there is any way on earth I could have lived in the GTA (coming from Sask...) so that was just basically out of the questions.

If you have any more questions shoot me a PM or two, I'm sitting around all week, since I'm stuck in rez while everyone else is gone for reading week!



How are the co-op prospects for nanotech? I was just curious and looked up nanotech jobs on Jobmine and found that there were like, NONE. I imagine it would be pretty difficult for you guys to get coop jobs since nanotech is so research oriented right?

[llAPll]

How are the co-op prospects for nanotech? I was just curious and looked up nanotech jobs on Jobmine and found that there were like, NONE. I imagine it would be pretty difficult for you guys to get coop jobs since nanotech is so research oriented right?

nano is a very specific field and therefore the jobs will be less. however, being in nano doesn't mean u MUST work in that field. My buddy who's about to graduate from nano engineering did his internship at ATI/AMD and is moving on to a consulting position for full time.

to OP, as someone else said, u should just chill and enjoy high school, especially if ur planning to come into engineering...

just get good marks and make sure u fulfill the math/science requirements.

[jiuc]

I'm in Engineering Science at UofT, and I'd really recommend it if you want to do a lot of work, and want to learn a lot of cool things in the process. It has several options to specialize in in 3rd and 4th year; Physics, Aerospace, Electrical, Computer, Manufacturing/Industrial, Biomedical, Infrastruture, and Nano. They're also considering adding a ninth, an Energy option.

The program gives you a really broad background in science and engineering in the first two years, and in your third and fourth years you specialize in a field, and learn a LOT about those fields.

Basically, apply for EngSci, it's a great program, and also if you'r enot sure about what sort of engineering you want to be doing, you have two years to figure that out.

Also, it's a well respected program, and you're likely to get into a good grad school/get a good job afterwards.

[diabolical7]

one thing i do not ever understand is why are people so high of uoft engineering, when clearly ryerson/carleton/waterloo/mcgill/alberta all beat the crap out of it and then some...

[MoonDoggy]

If you have any more questions shoot me a PM or two, I'm sitting around all week, since I'm stuck in rez while everyone else is gone for reading week!

I remember those days. While everyone is on reading week, we had midterms. :mad:

How are the co-op prospects for nanotech? I was just curious and looked up nanotech jobs on Jobmine and found that there were like, NONE. I imagine it would be pretty difficult for you guys to get coop jobs since nanotech is so research oriented right?

Your co-op terms doesn't have to be in your field but it would help your career in the future. I was in civil, but my co op terms were more mechanical (manufacturing) and electrical (cad). You just have to be careful early on your co-op career because you tend to get more job offers/interviews from the field you previously had in the earlier co-op terms.

[march9]

I'm in Engineering Science at UofT, and I'd really recommend it if you want to do a lot of work, and want to learn a lot of cool things in the process. It has several options to specialize in in 3rd and 4th year; Physics, Aerospace, Electrical, Computer, Manufacturing/Industrial, Biomedical, Infrastruture, and Nano. They're also considering adding a ninth, an Energy option.

The program gives you a really broad background in science and engineering in the first two years, and in your third and fourth years you specialize in a field, and learn a LOT about those fields.

Basically, apply for EngSci, it's a great program, and also if you'r enot sure about what sort of engineering you want to be doing, you have two years to figure that out.

Also, it's a well respected program, and you're likely to get into a good grad school/get a good job afterwards.


NO, if you are unsure what you want to do, you should go into General Engineering which UofT will begin to offer next year. Eng Sci is for highly qualified people who want to challenge themselves, it is a great program, but it is not for everyone. So many people go into eng sci because they dont know what eng they want to do, and got burned and transfer out...EngSci takes more than hardwork to succeed.

I honestly see no point if you go into engsci and choose electrical,computer(choose ECE instead), manufacturing(choose INdustrial instead),physics(choose physics+math instead),infrastructure(choose civil instead) it is only worth going if you are after those unique programs, I am talking about aerospace,biomed,nano...

[buy.A.gift]

all you need to do is go to the university fair ( i think around Oct ) and get a lot of information from them.