If you're already experimenting with programming and circuits, you're probably ahead of most applicants. The majority of my fellow first years are good at Maths and Physics but have never really encountered practical electronics.
It depends what sort of areas you're interested in but I'd recommend getting an Arduino or something similar. It's a very affordable way of getting into programming and circuit design.
Oh ok thanks! I recently got an arduino, and was enjoying learning about microelectronics. Just wondering, how would you know you would prefer electronic engineering (and not another engineering course) if you hadn't ever tried it?
I'm aiming for oxbridge or just below that, so don't you think the other applicants would have a fair bit of engineering experience prior to starting? I heard they tend to focus on grades mostly at first though.
I went on a broad-based headstart course and it was very helpful, definitely apply for one of them. For things to do you could find some circuit projects to complete- either following instructions online or buying kits (I bought a couple two years ago at maplin, but there's some online to buy too).
Books wise you could try 'The Art Of Electronics by Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill' and 'Electronics: A Systems Approach by Neil Storey' for electronics. You also might want to look into some engineering maths books.
Other stuff you could do is watch some lectures (if you can find any related to the course) at any universities, watch documentaries on tv or read science magazines. For computer science specifically you'll be wanting to do some programming, assuming you haven't already.
I wouldn't worry too much though, you have another year before you have to write it and a lot of the personal statements on here seem to be either really poor or outstanding. Plus, grades are the most important thing.
Firstly, did you know that you wanted to study electronic engineering before you went on the headstart course? As in i'm not completely sure which field of engineering I want to study - did this help decide - and do you therefore think the broad-based headstart course is a better option for somebody in my position? Also, do you know if it's possible to do multiple headstart courses if they are on different weeks - or do they only allocate one per applicant?
I've basically done all the other things but i'll check those books and any others out.
Oh ok thanks! I recently got an arduino, and was enjoying learning about microelectronics. Just wondering, how would you know you would prefer electronic engineering (and not another engineering course) if you hadn't ever tried it?
I'm aiming for oxbridge or just below that, so don't you think the other applicants would have a fair bit of engineering experience prior to starting? I heard they tend to focus on grades mostly at first though.
I guess it depends on the person but for me, I just did a lot of research into the various engineering fields and then chose the one that I found most interesting. When I think about a car, building or computer, for example, I'm much more drawn towards learning how the computer works and is made than the other two. A-level Physics can be a good indication of whether you'd enjoy it as well, assuming you took it. If you hated the electricity and magnetism parts of the syllabus, for example, you're probably not going to like studying EEE.
I can't really speak for Oxbridge, but I wouldn't worry too much about getting experience before applying. My university could probably be classed as 'just below Oxbridge' but like I said before, the majority of us knew next to nothing about electronics when we started. The lecturers also base their teaching on the assumption that this is the case so they certainly don't expect you to have any experience.
Firstly, did you know that you wanted to study electronic engineering before you went on the headstart course? As in i'm not completely sure which field of engineering I want to study - did this help decide - and do you therefore think the broad-based headstart course is a better option for somebody in my position? Also, do you know if it's possible to do multiple headstart courses if they are on different weeks - or do they only allocate one per applicant?
I've basically done all the other things but i'll check those books and any others out.
Thanks for the help
Had an idea of doing electronics, but thought I'd have more luck getting into a Broad-based course and wanted to double check that electronics was for me. Since we did a mechanical crane project which I didn't enjoy it certainly crossed mechanical engineering off the list. Then I did some soldering of a heart-rate monitor and I really enjoyed it, but the headstart course didn't complete confirm what I wanted to study. I was still thinking about Civil and Computer Science and it was only when I went to see open day introductions to them and EEE, that I decided fully what I wanted to do.
So if you're not sure what field you want to go in I'd recommend a Broad-based course. The course is also useful to decide if engineering is for you; I know lots of my group decided they would rather apply for economics, physics, etc... as they didn't enjoy the course.
Headstart courses are only one per person, so you won't be able to do multiple courses. Though, I don't know if you would be interested but you might want to look at 'Year in the Industry' by the EDT. Personally, it wasn't for me, as I want to do a sandwich year at uni instead.
Yes. First year. Did some googling and found an explanation that made sense. But my diagram looked a bit ****. Still submitted on time tho. You're a an MEng student right?
The key to solving a cube circuit (with equal resistance values) is to notice that a lot of the corners will be at the same voltage and so they can be condensed into a single point.This is explained in more detail here:
Yes. First year. Did some googling and found an explanation that made sense. But my diagram looked a bit ****. Still submitted on time tho. You're a an MEng student right?
What's the best university in my signature for EEE and why?
1st place is definitely Bristol, as for the rest, league tables should help decide. Bristol is a top university, and is renown for engineering disciplines.
Hey, so I'm in the first year of electrical engineering and so far it is pure theory which is to be expected. I was wondering when will I reach the breakthrough moment where I'll actually be able to design and make things and where everything I learn will click together? Also when will the hands on aspect of the course kick in usually?
Hey, so I'm in the first year of electrical engineering and so far it is pure theory which is to be expected. I was wondering when will I reach the breakthrough moment where I'll actually be able to design and make things and where everything I learn will click together? Also when will the hands on aspect of the course kick in usually?