Best engineering college?

StupidLikeAFox

Im thinkin ill be an engineer after i do my leaving in June. I was jus wondering what would be the best college for engineering?

It wont be civil or structural engineering, probably mechanical/electrical/electronic or along those lines?

I know its a matter of opinion but any suggestions?

Molly

For electrical/electronic it's apparently ucc. For mechanical i have no idea.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

blondie83

electronic/electrical in UCD have very good facilities. As well as that the department gets a fair bit of money from the college - so there's always a few scholarships going around. It is a very tough course, but you are listened to if you have aproblem, and you have all the facilities you need to do it.

Chimaera

This may be a little biased as I am a UL graduate, but from what I've heard UL does seem to be the best place for Mechanical/Aeronautical Engineering. That said, I don't know enough about other colleges to comment definitively.

Dave

Just a side note, if you're thinking of doing electronic or mechanical engineering, the two are poles apart, infact one has nearly got nothing to do with the other. Also, I'm doing mechanical eng at the moment in UL, but having nowhere else to compare it to, I don't know which college is better. I do know that UL is the only university in the country to do Aero Eng.

Stoner

I did electrical engineering in Kevin Street, it was very difficult and had a huge failure rate, alot of the stuff was out dated, however i had some great and some crXppy guys teaching me, but more good then bad, i dont know if its worth the hastle though 35 hours a week!!!, Trinity seemed bad when i went to a buddys classes , kind of like kevin Street dated etc, i hears it has improved, they were nearly thrown out of the IEI about 25 years ago.I also graduated from DCU and its a lovely place and alot handyer to do. I guess different colleges work for different people, what i can say is that very few people give a sh1t where you went when it comes to interview stage. There are some very easy to get qualifications out there, but they dont really turn out good engineers, so be romantic about the thing and go for a hard one it'll raise your game at the end of the day be anti dumbing up in Engineering!!!!!

Dman_15

for mec eng, Queens belfast, without a doubt. I have a friend doing the meng course there.

Stoner

I have met a few Mec/Elec engs from Queens in business and yes they were very good from a building services point of view, dont know about the rest of it though!!!

StupidLikeAFox

Thanks lads, this all helps a lot, sound men (maybe women too)

Delta_ie

Hi I'm also thinking of doing mechanical engineering and electrical, but have a bigger bias to mechanical. Just wonder want are people experiences of the courses in UCD, Trinity and DIT.
Thanks if you can help.

commited

My dads a mech and hires people all the time and he says the best come from UCD

theCzar

I'm final year Electronic Eng in UCD, and i've found the course good, it gives you a better background to the core elec eng subjects, more than DIT (or so i gather from talking to their students) but less hands on experiance. The facilities are excellent and the faculty are interested in what they do, and glad to help.

Personally, I don't rate the TCD E&E course much, from what friends have described, it sound very impractical and out of date.

I know nothing of UL/UCC/Queens, what with being a Dub, i'm afraid I never looked that far afield...

No matter where you do it, it's going to be 4 years hard work.

Red Alert

I'm in third year Elec. in ucd at the moment. It's a hard course to be honest, and they really are interested in teaching you the fundamentals. The maths can be a bit tricky too - and there's lots of it. Most of them i've come across tho' are quite eager to help, so don't let the difficulty of it put you off. The course is quite practical in that a lot of more modern developments are touched on every now and then.

i heard some awful things about Trinners' elec eng... best avoided IMHO.

popinfresh

(maybe women too)

Don't expect to do much "pulling", there's never any women in engineering. Oh and Maynooth (Wooot)

HomesickAlien

i'm a trinner myself, so beware of bias, but the staff here are really sound about explaining stuff when ya dont understand.
also, if you havn't decided which engineering you want to do, in trinity you wait 2 years before deciding what course to do, whereas in others you only have 1.

theCzar

HomesickAlien wrote:

in trinity you wait 2 years before deciding what course to do, whereas in others you only have 1.

That's a blessing or a curse, you get a better picture of the different branches of eng, but if you've made up your mind, you end up spending half your uni career having to worry about materials and essays on cement composition as well as your chosen speciaility. I would think a single common year would suffice for fence sitters, and that way you get on with what you want ASAP.

But then i'm biased as well
:rolleyes:

David19

theCzar wrote:

That's a blessing or a curse, you get a better picture of the different branches of eng, but if you've made up your mind, you end up spending half your uni career having to worry about materials and essays on cement composition as well as your chosen speciaility. I would think a single common year would suffice for fence sitters, and that way you get on with what you want ASAP.

But then i'm biased as well
:rolleyes:

I agree with this. I dropped out of engineering in trinity last year. I did find it silly to be doing stuff that i didn't need. It was very broad. One year would be enough i think.

popinfresh

Common engineering in Maynooth encorperates Mechanical, Computer and Communication engineering for the first 2 years. They're interlinked so that's a good thing

theCzar

popinfresh wrote:

Common engineering in Maynooth encorperates Mechanical, Computer and Communication engineering for the first 2 years. They're interlinked so that's a good thing

how does mech get interlinked, is it a mechatronics thing, or what?

Glenman

My best advice to you is not to go near a university yet. Do your Dimloma in an Institute of Technology first and then transfer inot 3rd year of the university degree course, that way you will learn a lot more and still have a highly regarded university degree. I know that the Electronic/Electrical courses in an IT don't get much respect due to the fact that you only need 150 points to get into them, but they are hard, worthwile and more benificial than a university. In tolal it takes 5 years rather than 4 but its worth it. The people who transferred from IT's into my course had much more practical knoweledge and as a result much more interest in the course than us. Smaller classes means a friendlier atmosphere at IT's and as a result a better learning environment. I'd recommend, GMIT or Letterkenny IT for Electronics.
Glenman

Delta_ie

Is there any one that has experience of the mechanical eng in UCD or DIT

decdoc

theCzar wrote:

how does mech get interlinked, is it a mechatronics thing, or what?

no, they don't have any mech course in maynooth, they only do electronic, comms and computer engineering, with all the streams being the same in 1st & 2nd year whatever course you choose, in 3rd and 4th year, you have about 3 common modules in each semester and then the rest of your modules are specific to your chosen discipline

*Angel*

popinfresh wrote:

Don't expect to do much "pulling", there's never any women in engineering. Oh and Maynooth (Wooot)

How would you know? I'm hoping to do civil engineering next year, why do guys think it's just a job for them?

theCzar

Well i hope you do become an engineer cos the facts speak for themselves.

80% men, 10% women, 10% undecided. (facts made up)

We don't think it's a job just for men, it just seems like Women do!

[token chauvinistic remark]Get back in the kitchen![/token chauvinistic remark]

blondie83

theCzar wrote:

[token chauvinistic remark]Get back in the kitchen![/token chauvinistic remark]

only messing!

Angel guys dont really think its just a job for them. Neither do the girls think its just a job for guys. If you do go into engineering you'll find that people either don't care, or find it amusing that so few girls do it! In my class its about 15% girls, (8 out of a class of 50), but no one really makes a big deal about it cos we all get on pretty well :cool:

Cool Mo D

Well I'm doing chem eng in UCD, and i'd have to say the department seem pretty good. All the engineering courses are a lot of work (i hope you like maths) but, from what i've heard bout some other colleges you could do a lot worse the UCD

Borzoi

Delta_ie wrote:

Is there any one that has experience of the mechanical eng in UCD or DIT

Graduated out of Bolton St (DIT) almost 10 years ago now. Like every college it has it's plus and minuses but I liked the very hands on practical approach taken by the college, particularly with respect to major projects. In most cases they leave it up to you to select projects, rather then giving a list of titles to work off, IMO this gives the student better ownership, and helps develop initiative.

These days I do get to do hiring of engineers,and to be honest it really doesn't matter what college they went to. My experience in recruiting and interview candidates from every college has lead me to this conclusion. I still have a slight bias towards DIT, but mainly because it was the underdog in comparison to the 'real' universities when I was there

Intel

Cool Mo D,

Im currently in 1st Civil and Im going to transfer to Chem Eng. Whats your low down on the whole course. Do you find it interesting, as most if the 1st Chems seem to find it boring?

What are the options in UCD in the 3rd&4th years to specialise in?
And finally, what are the job prospects?

Any help would be appreciated!

Tar.Aldarion

i chose nuig for my electronic and computer eng!

theCzar

Tar.Aldarion wrote:

i chose nuig for my electronic and computer eng!

why is it always NUIG, and not UCG or GU or something? NUIG sounds stoopid.

oh nevermind

ClareBear

theCzar wrote:

why is it always NUIG, and not UCG or GU or something? NUIG sounds stoopid.

oh nevermind

I've always wondered why NUIM and NUIG are that way. Why are those two National Universities of Ireland and the others are University College Dublin etc....

Tar.Aldarion

its because Nuig,NuiM etc qualify to have the N lol.they were ucg etc but now there are different specifications.Nuig etc have very high standards for irish etc with their lecturers.just recently a professor who speaks fluent irish was denied a promotion because of their standard of irish---ridiculous . but i think getting the 'N' before their name and having it there gives them like grants and bonuses etc or something to that effect. plus doesnt N-U-I-G roll off your tongue,then again GU has its charms lol.anyway current location NUIG :P

*Angel*

Intel wrote:

Cool Mo D,

Im currently in 1st Civil and Im going to transfer to Chem Eng. Whats your low down on the whole course. Do you find it interesting, as most if the 1st Chems seem to find it boring?

What are the options in UCD in the 3rd&4th years to specialise in?
And finally, what are the job prospects?

Any help would be appreciated!

Is the Civil course any good in UCD? or are you only changing because you don't like the material, cos I want to do the civil course next year.

Nukem

I have the luxury of bein a picky b*tch. Primarily because im taking the long way around for my MECH Eng Degree. Spent 3yrs in CIT (Cert&Dip) its good but one thing that blazed through is the straight degree students new more in terms of theory but in a work shop or CAD(and the like) Cert Dip students would come out better.

In UL im finishing my degree - nice place lot different to CIT. CIT is 9-5/6 everyday with role call and manditory labs but in UL its up to you and you have bout 60% less work but way more work IMO.
All depends on how you see yourself working,better on your own at night or flat out all day.

Elec i have heard UCC is the way.

Cool Mo D

Intel wrote:

Cool Mo D,

Im currently in 1st Civil and Im going to transfer to Chem Eng. Whats your low down on the whole course. Do you find it interesting, as most if the 1st Chems seem to find it boring?

What are the options in UCD in the 3rd&4th years to specialise in?
And finally, what are the job prospects?

Any help would be appreciated!

Well,

I wouldn't worry bout the first years, they only do 1 chem eng subject, and the rest are the same as the rest of the engineers (least thats the way it was last year) The course is intersting enough, the problems are a feckload of labs and assignments all year. If you stick your head into eng 125 its full of chems, slaving away over hot computers and moaning. Some of the subjects are bastards though, like physics and thermodynamics, watch out for them.

There are NO options in 3rd or 4th year (im pretty sure..) You will do all your classes with all the chems the whole way through. When you finish, chances are youre gonna be workin in a chemical plant of some description, or designing chemical plants. If the thought of sexy chemicals gets you all hot and bothered, chem eng is for you! As far as I know the job market is good, and the pay is also good.
Anyway, I recommend doin chem eng, cos its where all the cool kids are at

Intel

Sound Cool Mo D,

Really helpful, you must be in 2nd year so?

yeah physics and thermodynamics have already gotten on my nerves! :rolleyes: but I checked the physics syllabus and its all pretty much all radioactivity and nuclear physics which I'm v.interested in.

<<If the thought of sexy chemicals gets you all hot and bothered, chem eng is for you! >>

theCzar

eurrgggg, Chemistry is icky

Intel

*Angel* wrote:

Is the Civil course any good in UCD? or are you only changing because you don't like the material, cos I want to do the civil course next year.

Well first year is very general and the only 'true' civil subjects I'm doing are Materials Science, Fluid MEchanics and Graphics(Draughtsmanship &AutoCAD)

Basically the reason I'm changing is cos I only found out when I came to UCD that there was such a course as Chem eng. I really enjoyed Chemistry for the LC so thats why I did it.

If ur thinking of coming to UCD i would suggest doing undenominated, as you decide which discipline to go into at the end of 1st year. You get to go to the labs of the others branches,enter competitions and go on trips etc...which the others(the people who entered a course straight) are excluded from.

*Angel*

Intel wrote:

Well first year is very general and the only 'true' civil subjects I'm doing are Materials Science, Fluid MEchanics and Graphics(Draughtsmanship &AutoCAD)

If ur thinking of coming to UCD i would suggest doing undenominated, as you decide which discipline to go into at the end of 1st year. You get to go to the labs of the others branches,enter competitions and go on trips etc...which the others(the people who entered a course straight) are excluded from.

Thanks for the help! I know for sure that I want to do Civil although I do have undenominated as my 2nd choice on my CAO as a backup (I think it's more points though) The subjects really seem like my kinda thing so that suits me.

One more thing, is there an option of doing a language with an engineering course, it says nothing about it in the prospectus.

blondie83

Oh you can yeah. when I was in 1st year - back in the day (God I feel old!), it was mandatory to do one. Now i think you have to do a language in 1st year if you didnt get an honour in a language in your Leaving cert. At any rate you have the option of doing a language in both 3rd and 4th year - just for fun like, it has no bearing on your final grade, and you can drop out any time. I did Japanese level1 last year and really liked it! Would have done level 2 this year except it conflicted with training would definitely recommend it though, easy enough to learn and looks good on your CV!

*Angel*

Sounds good, thanks!

StupidLikeAFox

Right, just to update considering i started the thread!
I put down mechatronic eng. in DCU as first choice on the CAO. It seemed very broad and also the work placement seems logical. I also quite like DCU. So thanks anyways for those who helped

2tel1

Engineering is VERY long and VERY boring. Luckly I dont do full electronic eng. and eng. science, there just an annoying part of my course but let me tell you, you'll have long hours. Be prepared for a sausage fest too. If you lazy you wont enjoy the course. Be prepared to chat to f*ck all women too. I'v seen classes with a 100% male populatoion...

So many people rush into this course just because it sounds good, and drop out after a year. It pays well in the end, sure, but you really have to have a good head on your shoulders.

Intel

One more thing, is there an option of doing a language with an engineering course, it says nothing about it in the prospectus.

The best thing about UCd ,imo, is the applied language centre. They offer a wide range of languages. I just completed Chinese1 yesterday evening and I would highly recommend it.
The courses are subject to demand but any undergraduate can do an open module language course. Unfortunately there's no Chinese 2, but there's Japanese1&2,Spanish1&2, Czech1&2etc I think there website is www.alc.ie or www.alc.com or somethign like that anyway, just put it into google and see what you get.

Roll on Italian 1 next yr!

rainbow kirby

www.ucd.ie/alc

*Angel*

Thanks Intel and rainbow kirby you were very helpful!

Novo

I agree with 2tel1. engineering is very long and very boring with lots of lectures compared to other courses. I am doing elec engineering in UCD and all you hear off people is how much they dont like the course.

In 2001 there was between 50-60 people in first year of electronic/electrical engineering. This has dropped every year and in 2004 i think there were only 13 or 14 students in first year. Make sure it is the right course for you before you do it.

theCzar

"very long and very boring" is a bit harsh, if you're not interested in something, it's always going to seem that way.

yay elec eng. ahem.

blondie83

1st couple of years can be a bit boring at times, but it does get more interesting in 3rd and 4th year. It gets more specialised, so you've more of a chance of seeing what areas you might like to eventually work in, and what areas you'd want to stay far far away from!

Tar.Aldarion

ahem. yay elec & comp!