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Most Engineering is very broad and you learn the same stuff in the first 2 years before specialising, I think some Uni's might do actual renewable energy degrees (although I cannot quote any without researching first), but perhaps going with an electrical engineering or mechanical engineering degree, as they will underpin a lot of what you'll be doing as a career. what kinda thing did you think you want to od with renewable? As in design new technology? Create it? Build it? As you could argue Civil also has a part to play in this. Or you could go down chemical or molecular and research the chemistry side of renewable, creating carbon capture technology or developing enzymes that eat plastic or whatnot.
Can't really describe all the ENgineering as there's just so much, but they are similar in the first 2 years you do a degree. i would quote a website but again it'll take research for an appropriate one, and also not all the engineering disciplines are shown (mainly just the generic 'dirty' engineering degrees): Mechanical, Electrical (this is a clean one) Chemical, Aerospace, Civil. And sometimes computer engineering. They leave out the newer ones e,g, Biomed or Molecular. But yeah just research around and then we can give you Pros and cons of each one. Sorry for a long winded not a definite answer.
Can't really describe all the ENgineering as there's just so much, but they are similar in the first 2 years you do a degree. i would quote a website but again it'll take research for an appropriate one, and also not all the engineering disciplines are shown (mainly just the generic 'dirty' engineering degrees): Mechanical, Electrical (this is a clean one) Chemical, Aerospace, Civil. And sometimes computer engineering. They leave out the newer ones e,g, Biomed or Molecular. But yeah just research around and then we can give you Pros and cons of each one. Sorry for a long winded not a definite answer.
Your first question deserves a Google, it will come up with more refined and better answers for you than we can.
As for going into energy, Chemical is the best option for that however other disciplines also have their places in Renewable Energy e.g. Mech can go into most areas including Nuclear but excluding Solar and the Electrical side of things, instead going for "how do we turn the generator?" rather than anything afterwards. Aero can do the same but will better prepare you for Wind, Tidal, and Wave in exchange for probably less opportunity to study Nuclear energy though some unis do allow it. EEE will cover solar, generators, and power distribution which again covers basically everything. Civil is important for some things like wind turbine foundations and much more.
As for going into energy, Chemical is the best option for that however other disciplines also have their places in Renewable Energy e.g. Mech can go into most areas including Nuclear but excluding Solar and the Electrical side of things, instead going for "how do we turn the generator?" rather than anything afterwards. Aero can do the same but will better prepare you for Wind, Tidal, and Wave in exchange for probably less opportunity to study Nuclear energy though some unis do allow it. EEE will cover solar, generators, and power distribution which again covers basically everything. Civil is important for some things like wind turbine foundations and much more.
Original post by Max1989
Can't really describe all the ENgineering as there's just so much, but they are similar in the first 2 years you do a degree.
Can't really describe all the ENgineering as there's just so much, but they are similar in the first 2 years you do a degree.
Does that mean that I can choose to change my course to another discipline within the first 2years if the school allows and will not face drastic changes?
Original post by Vinny C
The Sun... or the tides.
Sun!
Electrical Engineering most likely especially the courses that have a focus that's more towards power and energy though Physics is another good subject if you did want to get fusion power research.
Mechanical engineering is still relevant as they would design an efficient physical object such as a wind turbine.
I don't believe any other engineering disciplines would be helpful for this though I could be wrong.
hope that helps
If I got anything please correct me
Mechanical engineering is still relevant as they would design an efficient physical object such as a wind turbine.
I don't believe any other engineering disciplines would be helpful for this though I could be wrong.
hope that helps
If I got anything please correct me
Original post by Helloworld_95
Your first question deserves a Google, it will come up with more refined and better answers for you than we can.
As for going into energy, Chemical is the best option for that however other disciplines also have their places in Renewable Energy e.g. Mech can go into most areas including Nuclear but excluding Solar and the Electrical side of things, instead going for "how do we turn the generator?" rather than anything afterwards. Aero can do the same but will better prepare you for Wind, Tidal, and Wave in exchange for probably less opportunity to study Nuclear energy though some unis do allow it. EEE will cover solar, generators, and power distribution which again covers basically everything. Civil is important for some things like wind turbine foundations and much more.
As for going into energy, Chemical is the best option for that however other disciplines also have their places in Renewable Energy e.g. Mech can go into most areas including Nuclear but excluding Solar and the Electrical side of things, instead going for "how do we turn the generator?" rather than anything afterwards. Aero can do the same but will better prepare you for Wind, Tidal, and Wave in exchange for probably less opportunity to study Nuclear energy though some unis do allow it. EEE will cover solar, generators, and power distribution which again covers basically everything. Civil is important for some things like wind turbine foundations and much more.
chemical engineering is more of transporting the energy while EEE is more of harvesting the energy?
Original post by Qh902130
Sun!
Go for it... the sun powers most life on this planet. There must be better ways to harvest it than solar cells. Well done!
Original post by Qh902130
Does that mean that I can choose to change my course to another discipline within the first 2years if the school allows and will not face drastic changes?
This idea of the common core for the first two years is uncommon and most universities don't have a common core across all engineering disciplines. There are courses labelled as General Engineering or sometimes just Engineering which do use this system and you'll then specialise in your third year (Cambridge, Oxford, Durham, Warwick are the famous ones but other universities offer it too). However at most universities you will be stuck within the discipline you start with. Some others will offer a common core between similar disciplines or subdisciplines e.g. Leeds has a common first two years between Mechanical and Aero. I wouldn't expect any ability to transfer between say Civil and Mechanical or Mechanical and Electrical however unless you're specifically doing a (General) Engineering degree.
Original post by Qh902130
chemical engineering is more of transporting the energy while EEE is more of harvesting the energy?
Not quite. A chemical engineers job within renewable energy could be a lot of different things, but usually more towards higher level design e.g. how aspects of the grid work rather than e.g. designing a wind turbine.
I think harvesting would be a bit simplistic but yes if we split it into harvesting and distribution then Electrical engineers can do both. Mechanical and Aerospace would do harvesting only.
Original post by Qh902130
Also, What would be the best if I want to dive into the energy sector (renewable energy preferably)?
Thanks
Thanks
Renewables is a very broad sector, and many companies involved with it aren't exclusively involved with it, so it's hard to make recommendations. Electrical & electronics is a an obvious one, though, as they are involved with virtually all aspects of the energy industry. For wind, and offshore renewables, civil & structural also has a very large scope. There is also plenty of scope for mechanical, and chemical engineers can get involved too.
It would probably be more useful to pick the discipline you're most interested in, because they all have the potential to be involved with renewables. And there are positions that don't require a specific engineering degree either...
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by Qh902130
Does that mean that I can choose to change my course to another discipline within the first 2years if the school allows and will not face drastic changes?
Probably not, we share some common modules but there would still be too many specific to have a smooth transition without retaking years. I would recommend to not entirely focus on renewables for choosing a degree but rather hold it as a potential area of interest for specialising later, it still remains a rather niche area and you would limit yourself only going for this. In regards to which engineering discipline it depends really because most could be involved in them but each in different forms really and would be important for specific aspects, like I do civil engineering but I would be more focused on the structure etc. of such a design and really I would be able to do that without focusing on renewables.
Original post by Max1989
The uni's I applied to told me this though... So it does come down to where you apply.
Where did you apply to?
Original post by Doones
Where did you apply to?
Imperial,went to Open day for Sheffield, cardiff and Strathclyde. All very respectable places for Engineering.
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by Max1989
Imperial,went to Open day for Sheffield, cardiff and Strathclyde. All very respectable places for Engineering.
I get why Sheffield would say that because that's exactly how their General Engineering degree works. The others don't have anything like that though, except maybe Strathclyde as it's under the Scottish system so they'll be more lenient on moving around after year 1.
Original post by Helloworld_95
I get why Sheffield would say that because that's exactly how their General Engineering degree works. The others don't have anything like that though, except maybe Strathclyde as it's under the Scottish system so they'll be more lenient on moving around after year 1.
True as in Strath you get an extra year which is similar to A2 (although you don't pay for it) so effectively you'll be switching after year 1 of an English Uni degree. And this wasn't for general engineering it was for the mechanical engineering. But yeah it seems a bit strange, but I'm pretty sure that's what they said, although few people actually change across the courses. But hey ho, I'm just an A2 student just going off what I was told at open days, so it isn't 100% fool proof. I should just refrain on commenting on these kind of things without being 100% certain on the facts...Will keep that in mind next time.
(edited 5 years ago)
Actually I get the context of what I said now, the first 2 years are 'similar' as in no matter what course you are doing you learn the same skills. Employers like this and know that you have these, so like they do not really mind what engineering background you come from (unless you are becoming extremely specialized in a certain topic). You can't change courses, that is a lie, I must of thought of two things and put them out of context together. This is what I actually meant, sorry for the mishap on my part. And this is consistent with my original post, don't know where changing courses came from, should stick with my original post, as that is usually the most thought out.
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by Max1989
Actually I get the context of what I said now, the first 2 years are 'similar' as in no matter what course you are doing you learn the same skills. Employers like this and know that you have these, so like they do not really mind what engineering background you come from (unless you are becoming extremely specialized in a certain topic). You can't change courses, that is a lie, I must of thought of two things and put them out of context together. This is what I actually meant, sorry for the mishap on my part. And this is consistent with my original post, don't know where changing courses came from, should stick with my original post, as that is usually the most thought out.
They do care if they are a engineering firm.
Original post by Vikingninja
They do care if they are a engineering firm.
I know of people who have gotten an engineering degree in one speciality and got a job in a completely different speciality, yes it does matter, but in reality most companies like a mix of specialists from different backgrounds so that they can cover all bases, and that's what engineering is about, coming together to tackle problems no matter your background in the subject as its all relevant, It really matters on the company and the position you're applying for. But I'm pretty sure you go to any engineering firm and they'll be a collection of different specialists. But yeah i should start not replying as I obviously haven't experienced it first hand yet, just going of experiences of others.
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