Re:Why Science Majors Change Their Minds
by aswanson on Tuesday November 15, 2011 @11:00PM
(#3241682)
Nah, EE's dont. They get divorced theory and math most of the first few years. When we do actually get to build circuits early on, they are to mintutiae-focused on some slew-rate characteristics of an op-amp at a given frequency rather than systemic perspective thinking that is needed in the real world with real applications. To much focus on analysis, nowhere near enough on synthesis. A modern EE education is geared toward training autistic, perspective-deprived drones.
Re:Why Science Majors Change Their Minds
by Maven911 on Tuesday November 15, 2011 @11:56PM
(#3241858)
Yes incredibly accurate and its a shame. I did have labs working on breadboards and even IC design but it was literally just following a well defined procedure so you dont screw it up
Re:Why Science Majors Change Their Minds
by pnathan on Tuesday November 15, 2011 @08:46PM
(#3241309)
That is a very good point. I am sure that if all I had done was read about programming and see people scribble on a blackboard about it, I would quit and go be a jazz musician. I know I liked the computer as a teen because unlike chemistry, biology, or physics, I could do really cool stuff without putting together a lab. That's an AMAZING advantage of the computer.
The chemistry student I know has been involved in her university's chemistry research labs since freshman year. Mechanical engineer students here frequently do projects, there is a ME lab for them to mess around with. Biology students have some opportunity (unsure how much) to participate in the university's activities.
But, maybe this University is more hands-on than other places.
Re:Why Science Majors Change Their Minds
by scott_s on Tuesday November 15, 2011 @08:49PM
(#3241317)
I think most schools have those opportunities, but it's something the students have to seek out. I could be completely wrong here, I'm basing this observation off of my understanding of what curriculums I did not go through were like.
Re:Why Science Majors Change Their Minds
by wiredfool on Tuesday November 15, 2011 @11:53PM
(#3241849)
As a civil engineer, we were building stuff early on. (and typically destroying it too). I remember towers on the shake table, bridges, and connection testing (including arc welding).
There was still about a 50%washout rate.
Re:Why Science Majors Change Their Minds
by scott_s on Wednesday November 16, 2011 @11:53AM
(#3243854)
Thanks for saying so.
For the record, my CS undergrad had similar attrition, but it was during the dot-com boom. I was a freshmen in '99 and there were 500 other CS freshmen. The typical number of students at a given level is, I think, roughly 1/5 of that now.
I think that CS, CPE and EE are different than the rest of STEM that students get to start playing in their discipline much, much earlier. I know from experience that CS majors are writing code their first semester. Continually creating new things in your discipline sets up a feedback-loop that keeps you interested. I don't think this was true for engineering programs like civil, mechanical or aerospace.
For science, the payoff is much more abstract, since you don't actually do science as a science undergrad. You learn about science.
There are, of course, undergrads who get involved in research projects or extra-curricular activities centered around their major that allow them to actually play around in their discipline early on. But I think those are edge cases.