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Natural Sciences vs. Engineering

Hi,

I’ve firmly accepted my offer from Durham to study Natural Sciences a couple of weeks ago. However, this Sunday I suddenly realised that the qualification I need for my “dream job” is a degree in engineering… so I started thinking about changing to the Engineering programme. So my first question is whether you think that would be possible or not? I have the grades needed, but it says on the homepage they normally use interviews in the admission process, and I have obviously not been to an interview.

However, that’s not really my most important question (as e-mailing the admission people would be a much better way of getting an answer), my real question is about how Engineering is looked upon in England in comparison to Natural Sciences. I ask because the homepage and peoples’ comments have made me wonder whether Engineering in England and Sweden really is the same thing. In Sweden having studied Engineering means you run a good chance of getting a job (or at least used to run a good chance of getting a job), whereas having studied NatSci basically means being unemployed or studying to become a teacher. Also, getting in to the Engineering programme is quite hard while everybody having studied the appropriate courses in the “gymnasium” (like A-levels) is admitted to the NatSci programme. In short, Engineering is the programme to study if you’re interested in Natural Sciences and want to work in the industry and NatSci is for people who want a career within the university world (not really…but I think you get the point).

Yeah, and one more thing. I'm in love with physics (I know I won't be after about 2 weeks of school...but who cares, righ now I'm in love with physics), I even dream about going to the awful lectures described by RobbyC in the thread "Natural Sciences" just because they're about physics... so how much physics is there within the Engineering programme (stuff that has with circuits to do doesn't count)?

Thanks in beforehand! :biggrin:

Reply 1

Jenii

15

Yes, an engineering degree WOULD stand you n good stead to get a job. Obviously in engineering, but also jobs are available in the financial sector s all numerate graduates are popular.

I think Natsci and engineering from a place like Durham are equally respected. Natural science asks for higher grades, but many snobby people are out their who still see it as a lesser degree because it combines subjects.

If engineering is realy what you want to do, then do it! If I may ask, whats your dream job?

You could snoop around and see if theyd consider you with Natsci if you got a good degree anyway?

Reply 2

scintillo

OP

Francypants

Yes, an engineering degree WOULD stand you n good stead to get a job. Obviously in engineering, but also jobs are available in the financial sector s all numerate graduates are popular.

I think Natsci and engineering from a place like Durham are equally respected. Natural science asks for higher grades, but many snobby people are out their who still see it as a lesser degree because it combines subjects.

If engineering is realy what you want to do, then do it! If I may ask, whats your dream job?

You could snoop around and see if theyd consider you with Natsci if you got a good degree anyway?

Thanks for the reply :biggrin:

. My "dream job" (at the moment, it may change) is to work within ITER, "a joint international research and development project that aims to demonstrate the scientific and technical feasibility of fusion power" (http://www.iter.org/). I looked at their homepage and it said an ideal job applicant has a degree in engineering + some other qualifications… But I don't know... maybe a Natural Sciences degree would do as well.

I've kind of set my mind on Natural Sciences so changing isn't very atttractive, but at the same time it seems as if I need an engineering degree for the jobs I may want later (I guess that even if ITER doesn't interest me anymore when I graduate I will have set my mind on something similar). *sight* I guess I’ve better just try to find as much information as possible on both the programmes and what qualifications they give etc. etc. and then try to make an informed choice. Didn’t that sound boring?

Reply 3

RobbieC

15

Engineering will probably see you get a job more quickly, you will be more in demand. But I don't think it will be as easy to get a pointlessly well paid job... Though either way, your prospects are as the Germans would say: 'sehr gut'.

Reply 4

Eddie K

2

Engineering at Durham is an excellent degree, accredited by all of the UK engineering institutions and backed-up by genuinely world-leading research, especially in Biomedical Engineering. These facts lead to show why it is ranked the fourth best engineering course in the country, just behind Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial.

The physics in the engineering course at Durham is practical and as such actually useful in industry. In the first year alone, we extensively cover solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, electronics and circuit theory and stress analysis. We also do hands-on courses in drawing, CAD, programming, manufacture and design, which provide the coursework elements.

In saying that the physics is practical, it is still fantastically advanced and extremely interesting but the structure of each course is geared around the use of the knowledge in the real world rather than purely aiming to give theoretical expertise. For example, thermodynamics that physicists do in a Natural Sciences degree is taught rather vaguely with no obvious connections (ask Itchynscratchy :p:

) whereas the engineers will learn the theory necessary to, and this is only an example, fully understand the workings of a two-stroke spark ignition internal combustion engine in an Aston Martin DB9 so that we can work to improve it's power output or fuel consumption to make the car faster, safer, more efficient. etc etc. (Now that was a long sentence!).

As for the jobs question, due to Durhams reputation your job prospects in both the NatSci and Engineering field are excellent but I'm pretty sure that the engineers will find it easier to enter into the higher end of industry.

Any other questions, or if my reply has been rubbish, feel free to ask or moan!

:smile:

Reply 5

Itchynscratchy

10

Eddie K

For example, thermodynamics that physicists do in a Natural Sciences degree is taught rather vaguely with no obvious connections (ask Itchynscratchy :p:

)

Reply 6

Mattmoy_2000

9

I've heard engineering described (by an engineer!) as "Physics-lite". If you want to become an engineer, do engineering though.
Trust me, you won't love physics after studying it for as long as I have... :frown:

Reply 7

Mattmoy_2000

9

I've heard engineering described (by an engineer!) as "Physics-lite". If you want to become an engineer, do engineering though.
Trust me, you won't love physics after studying it for as long as I have... :frown:

Reply 8

ssmoose

13

Why have you made 2 identical posts 20 hours apart?

Reply 9

Mattmoy_2000

9

refreshing error. My attempt to raise my post count. who knows? (Hint: first one)

Reply 10

scintillo

OP

Thanks for all the replys! :party:

It sounds as if Engineering in England and Sweden is pretty much the same thing. However, I think I've decided not to change... don't really know why though. ^o)

Also, Mattmoy, are you Norwegian or just a fan of the Norwegian flag?