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I believe the author is correct that old-time engineers had a better grasp of basics. When I was starting out, engineering degrees were pretty much ALL fundamen

I believe the author is correct that old-time engineers had a better grasp of basics. When I was starting out, engineering degrees were pretty much ALL fundamental principles and calculus. Everyone was required to (be able to) derive everything from first principles. Modern engineering degrees focus very strongly on use of tools, and contain a modest amount of first principles, and a an almost trivial amount of calculus. A engineering student could do well today with insufficient knowledge to understand the course their seniors undertook. The modern approach is a different way of doing things, with advantages, but not entirely superior.

ltbarcly3 4y ago
>> When I was starting out, engineering degrees were pretty much ALL fundamental principles and calculus. Where did you go to school? There is (and always has been) a huge difference between what an engineering program at a top school and at some 3rd tier school require of their students. I think you probably went to a fairly competitive program and are comparing what was expected of you and your peers to what is expected of someone to get a degree from a noncompetitive school.