4 ms·

Ironically, an engineering degree is also like a math degree.

by hugs 9y ago

NTDF9 9y ago
Electrical engineering surely is.
auxym 9y ago
Meh, at least my (mechanical engineering) degree wasn't. Sure, you learn some mathematical tools that can help you solve some very practical problems, but it stops about there. I was not taught anything close to creative mathematical thinking. I was never taught the fundamentals of things: the axioms and the theorems on which the tools we "learn" are based on. I can guarantee you no one in my graduating class could read a proof of even modest complexity, let alone write one. Granted, I did go to a school with a good reputation, but one of a very practical/applied program. Still, I'm pretty convinced that math and engineering are very, very different fields, even if all engineering programs include a handful of math classes.
- WalterBright 9y ago
  My engineering classes (Caltech) were nearly all applied math classes.
  - umanwizard 9y ago
    “Applied math” isn’t very similar to what you learn in a reputable math degree, so the point stands.
fjsolwmv 9y ago
An applied math degree
umanwizard 9y ago
No it is not. I studied math and the engineers only went as far as differential equations, basic (non proof based) complex analysis, and so on. There were zero engineers in theoretical classes.
- Bromskloss 9y ago
  > non proof based What's that about? Does the lecturer just state theorems without proving them, or does it mean that the students aren't required to be able to prove them?
  - closeparen 9y ago
    It means the activity of the class (lectures, homework, exams) is to compute numeric and algebraic solutions according to the methods and procedures you're taught. The outcome of a class is generally that you're able to solve a new kind of equation. This describes 99% of the math that most Americans (including engineering students) who are not math majors will ever encounter. Proofs may be presented as curiosities, and students may even be quizzed on them, but students would not be expected to come up with proofs they haven't seen before.

Ironically, an engineering degree is also like a math degree.

by hugs 9y ago

Ironically, an engineering degree is also like a math degree.

NTDF9 9y ago

Electrical engineering surely is.

auxym 9y ago

Meh, at least my (mechanical engineering) degree wasn't. Sure, you learn some mathematical tools that can help you solve some very practical problems, but it stops about there. I was not taught anything close to creative mathematical thinking. I was never taught the fundamentals of things: the axioms and the theorems on which the tools we "learn" are based on. I can guarantee you no one in my graduating class could read a proof of even modest complexity, let alone write one. Granted, I did go to a school with a good reputation, but one of a very practical/applied program. Still, I'm pretty convinced that math and engineering are very, very different fields, even if all engineering programs include a handful of math classes.

WalterBright 9y ago
My engineering classes (Caltech) were nearly all applied math classes.
- umanwizard 9y ago
  “Applied math” isn’t very similar to what you learn in a reputable math degree, so the point stands.

fjsolwmv 9y ago

An applied math degree

umanwizard 9y ago

No it is not. I studied math and the engineers only went as far as differential equations, basic (non proof based) complex analysis, and so on. There were zero engineers in theoretical classes.

Bromskloss 9y ago
> non proof based What's that about? Does the lecturer just state theorems without proving them, or does it mean that the students aren't required to be able to prove them?
- closeparen 9y ago
  It means the activity of the class (lectures, homework, exams) is to compute numeric and algebraic solutions according to the methods and procedures you're taught. The outcome of a class is generally that you're able to solve a new kind of equation. This describes 99% of the math that most Americans (including engineering students) who are not math majors will ever encounter. Proofs may be presented as curiosities, and students may even be quizzed on them, but students would not be expected to come up with proofs they haven't seen before.