Need help choosing course!

Hi,

I am in year 13 (2014-2015) doing Art, Maths, Physics
(and thinking of picking up AS photography).

I had my ideas planted in Architecture and Structural Engineering / Structural Engineering but for a career i would like to keep art an important part of my life as it is a major part of my life (Predicted A* in A2).
Even so Maths and Physics are enjoyable.

I would like a course which combines these in (near) equal parts but are there engineering courses which i can design + number crunch?

Thanks

Reply 1

Ponoyo

You sound a lot like me. An engineering course isn't going to involve 'artistic design' but design in the sense you will make calculations to determine what design parameters (eg geometry of an aircraft wing). If you definitely want your career to involve 'artistic design', engineering most likely won't satisfy this, and you would be better off doing architecture/product/industrial design. However, these professions will not utilise much in the way of maths or physics or number crunching, as these will be left to the engineer. It basically hinges on whether you want to design the aesthetics of something and have a vague idea of the technicalities (maths and physics) or you want to design the functionality of something and not concerning yourself too much
with the aesthetics.
I was like you in enjoying and being good at maths, science and art but came to the conclusion that the part of art I liked was in physically creating something which can be seen. This basically entails engineering, so I went with engineering.

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Reply 2

Defizzed

Original post by PapaTotoro

Have a look at the Product Design and Manufacture BEng/MEng at Nottingham Uni ...other Unis have similar courses.

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Reply 3

Ponoyo

If it's mainly buildings that interests you in terms of design, Sheffield and I think a few other unis do a joint architecture and structural engineering course in which you do the majority of the modules of both courses (enough to be accredited), and can decide which one to specialise in after the first or second year.

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Reply 4

clareyyyyyyy

Original post by PapaTotoro

]
I had my ideas planted in Architecture and Structural Engineering / Structural Engineering but for a career i would like to keep art an important part of my life as it is a major part of

Original post by Ponoyo

You would be better off doing architecture/product/industrial design. However, these professions will not utilise much in the way of maths or physics or number crunching, as these will be left to the engineer.
I was like you in enjoying and being good at maths, science and art but came to the conclusion that the part of art I liked was in physically creating something which can be seen. This basically entails engineering, so I went with engineering.

I, too, was in a similar situation four or five years ago, in that I loved art/design etc but also enjoyed mathsy/physicsy number-crunching-ness. After getting work experience in both these fields (which is definitely a good idea if you're undecided!) I realised that actually there was enough numbers in architecture to keep me happy. I'm about to start my third year of Architecture at Sheffield in September and love it!

Architecture courses vary in their level of artistic-ness. Each school of architecture will be either geared more towards the conceptual, artistic side of architecture (such as UCL, Sheffield etc) whereas Bath is much more technical, and the course is part of the civil engineering department (i think!). So it could be a case of finding a school that is more grounded in the technical aspects. That said, we study a 'structures' module each year which encompasses predominantly the theory of why buildings stand up, and less so the numbers. You'll find a lot of numbers in 'building services' modules too, calculating U-Values, air duct sizes etc.

Original post by Ponoyo

There are a few engineering and architecture courses out there. I have friends who are on the architecture and engineering course at Sheffield and love it. I know Nottingham offer something very similar, but they're the only two I've ever come across that are jointly accredited. At Sheffield, the course is 4 years rather than 3, and in first year the course is predominantly engineering based, with only the architectural theory modules. In second year, you'll start studio projects with the first year pure architecture students, who you'll work alongside for 2nd, 3rd and 4th year. As far as I've seen, the course tends to be more architecture based as you progress, but ultimately leads to accreditation as both an architect and an engineer. People have chosen to drop out to just just architecture, or just engineering, or even engineering 'with' (not and!) architecture which is predominantly engineering with only the architectural theory modules. Courses like this could be worth looking into if you really can't decide! :smile:

Reply 5

PapaTotoro

Original post by clareyyyyyyy

I, too, was in a similar situation four or five years ago, in that I loved art/design etc but also enjoyed mathsy/physicsy number-crunching-ness. After getting work experience in both these fields (which is definitely a good idea if you're undecided!) I realised that actually there was enough numbers in architecture to keep me happy. I'm about to start my third year of Architecture at Sheffield in September and love it!

Architecture courses vary in their level of artistic-ness. Each school of architecture will be either geared more towards the conceptual, artistic side of architecture (such as UCL, Sheffield etc) whereas Bath is much more technical, and the course is part of the civil engineering department (i think!). So it could be a case of finding a school that is more grounded in the technical aspects.

There are a few engineering and architecture courses out there. I have friends who are on the architecture and engineering course at Sheffield and love it. I know Nottingham offer something very similar, but they're the only two I've ever come across that are jointly accredited.

Thank you for you reply! I went to the Sheffield Open day and i loved it! Both the Architecture and engineering departments were amazing!

While in the Arts tower i heard that the dual arch. / structural eng. course is a lot of work? I want to do this course but i am worried about sacrificing my social life :/ Which is a key part of the student experience. This really is one of the major factors in my decision as i am worried about missing out in other aspects of Uni life.
So, how do you friends find the workload? And is there adequate support in the department if you do get behind?

The theory interests me but i do like to able to back that up with numbers so even though the arty side appeals i am looking for a deeper understanding of structures in terms of both design and mathematical theory.
But it is hard to find such courses! Thanks for the Nottingham info. I have ordered a prospectus ^.^

Reply 6

Emilin

It it sounds like Architecture and Engineering.

Can you not do a joint degree? Art and Maths. I don't even know if that kind of course exists though!

Reply 7

clareyyyyyyy

Original post by PapaTotoro

Yeah, you're right in that the Architecture/Engineering course is hard work - but my friends study it are all organised and never have a problem with the workload. Obviously the architecture side does involve a lot more hours than many other courses, but it's a different sort of work. Lots of people are concerned about missing out on the 'social side' of the student experience, but architecture courses tend to have a strong 'studio culture'. Everyone in my year gets on really well and even when we're all holed up doing work, we'll still have a good time - stick a movie on one of the projectors, head to the pub to blow off some steam etc... I definitely didn't feel like I missed out on the 'social side' at all. There's still time for societies, hanging out with your flatmates etc if you want there to be! :smile:

There is adequate support from both departments (as far as I've seen!). The nature of working closely with your tutors in architecture means that it's very supportive, and all the tutors will be happy to help you should you struggle. I know there is also support in place from the engineering department in the form of personal tutors, but I don't know much more about this, sorry! One of my friends had some family issues earlier in the year, and staff from both departments were very quick to step in and help her. She ended up having an extension on her portfolio deadline and one of her assignments which meant she was able to deal with all the issues at home and still do well. :smile:

As far as the course is run, you'll study core engineering modules alongside the 'core' studio and theory modules in architecture. Whilst you won't be required to attend workshops for other modules on CAD, hand drawing etc, you'll still be very welcome :smile:

I assume you've already looked at this but if not it's probably v useful... Especially this. :smile:

Reply 8

PapaTotoro

Original post by clareyyyyyyy

I assume you've already looked at this but if not it's probably v useful... Especially this. :smile:

Ah yes! I have seen :smile:

It is my first choice (Both course and Univeristy).

I am glad to hear all this! It has been a lot of help as these were questions that went unanswered when i went to the Open day, due to lack of time.
I accept that it is going to be tough, but it's all a means to an end. One thing i didn't realise though is the studio time is not straight up work all the time - it sounds like the social aspect is a major feature.

Are there any books/ blogs/ websites you recommend checking out for the architecture side of things? Anything relevant would be appreciated :biggrin:

Reply 9

clareyyyyyyy

Original post by PapaTotoro

Are there any books/ blogs/ websites you recommend checking out for the architecture side of things? Anything relevant would be appreciated :biggrin:

ArchDaily is usually good for a little browse through. There's usually something of interest on there, and it's always nice to know what's out there :smile:

Equally, the RIBA website is usually pretty interesting :smile:

In terms of doing reading etc pre uni, I'd mainly just suggest having a bit of a read around what interests you the most at the moment. A lot of architecture books are pretty heavy going, and I wouldn't read a lot of them for fun now, let alone before applying. I did really enjoy 'Atmospheres' by Peter Zumthor and 'The eyes of the skin' by Juhani Pallasmaa when I read them at the beginning of first year though. For now, I'd just enjoy getting out and seeing buildings - take your sketchbook and just draw what you find interesting around you. The links I posted above are probably your best bet in terms of 'keeping up to date' on all things architectural :smile: