Engineering Thread

Boston

Because thats what he knows and has found relevant in his experience. Other lectures would focus on other things. Event driven programming isn't a difficult concept. How code is run in hardware is, and as such more deserving of a lecture. With regards to "The buggy" project. This is new and in previous years the buggy project was handled by the electronics department and thought using a picaxe with very simple programming concepts. Theres a degree of fine tuned forthought students expect but arn't going to receive. Must lecture is play it by ear. At least your lecturer turns up this year, last years on simply stopped coming to lectures and you'd want to see the bull**** he was trying to teach.

devinejay

Bump for stream choice discussion (this is the SF Eng thread right??).


It's B or CD for me, but I can see the decision being made last minute on a gut feeling.

I'm guessing the presentations are well worth a look.

Jonathan

What are your reasons for doing each?

devinejay

Well I've always been interested in mechanical, when I choose engineering it's where I figured I'd end up. It's the only part of engineering that I actually study throughout the year (i.e. I don't need exam pressure to get into it)

I know less about CD, but it's the only one that poses itself as a contender to B. I enjoy programming, although the 2E10 project demonstrates that if you're not taught a language, but expected to pick it up yourself, it can be really tough. The electrical side of things also interests me a good bit, like hopefully this summer I'll be building my own headphone amp, purely for the fun and curiosity as to how it will sound. It's probably more boring (abstract might be a better word) but I like how similar to ME, if you work at it a bit, it just starts to make sense.


For job-security reasons I'd lean towards CD, and I've been meaning to research how right that assumption might be. Guess it's time to start pestering Engineers Ireland.

mar-z

The one problem with using post job security as a basis for your choice (apart from maybe deciding to pick something that mightn't be for you) is that the stream of engineering that has plenty of jobs now might not be the one by the time you finish.

Your much better off making the choice based on what you are interested in, it will make you much happier for the next couple of years in college and also when you do get a job in that field, even if it takes longer to get one.

godtabh

mar-z wrote: »

The one problem with using post job security as a basis for your choice (apart from maybe deciding to pick something that mightn't be for you) is that the stream of engineering that has plenty of jobs now might not be the one by the time you finish.

Your much better off making the choice based on what you are interested in, it will make you much happier for the next couple of years in college and also when you do get a job in that field, even if it takes longer to get one.

Totally agree with this

devinejay

That's something that I've definitely considered, but I'd still prefer if I had a reasonably accurate idea, from the industry side of things, what the next ten years look like. As it stands all my perceptions of job availability are based on hearsay. I'd rather not make what could turn out to be a hugely important decision without all the information I can get.

TheAmateur

I'm gonna go to all the talk things, but I'm pretty set on CD. Which courses would you guys recommend?

Engineering Mathematics V (3E1) vs Engineering Analysis(3E1a)?
Probabilistic Methods (3E3) vs Applied Probability(ST2004)?
Digital Systems Design(3C7) vs Computer Architecture II(CS2022)

Jonathan

TheAmateur wrote: »

Engineering Mathematics V (3E1) vs Engineering Analysis(3E1a)?

95% of the year does 3E1a. 3E1a is run for engineers by an engineer.

3E1 is run for engineers by a mathematican.

TheAmateur wrote: »

Probabilistic Methods (3E3) vs Applied Probability(ST2004)?

3E3 is run for engineers by an engineer.

ST2004 is run for engineers, computer scientists and msiss by a statistician. A bit of a catch all course.

TheAmateur wrote: »

Digital Systems Design(3C7) vs Computer Architecture II(CS2022)

3C7 is run for engineers by an engineer. You will be using Verilog as the HDL.

CS2022 is run for engineers and computer scientists by a computer scientist. You will be using VHDL as the HDL.

devinejay

Very helpful post Jonathan, cheers.

TheAmateur

Jonathan wrote: »

95% of the year does 3E1a. 3E1a is run for engineers by an engineer.
3E1 is run for engineers by a mathematican.

The syllabus looks almost identical for both, but I had heard that 3E1a was "easier" than 3E1. Do you think this is reasonably true?
Also, does 3E1a become a victim of it's popularity and become a bit like the disaster that is 2E2 at the moment, with the whole class in one giant lecture? I don't know if I could hack another semester of that...

devinejay

TheAmateur wrote: »

The syllabus looks almost identical for both, but I had heard that 3E1a was "easier" than 3E1. Do you think this is reasonably true?
Also, does 3E1a become a victim of it's popularity and become a bit like the disaster that is 2E2 at the moment, with the whole class in one giant lecture? I don't know if I could hack another semester of that...

Yeah if it's another case of the same, whoever lectures will become irrelevant, as I'll have to learn it all from the book anyway. Do not want.

Jonathan

TheAmateur wrote: »

The syllabus looks almost identical for both, but I had heard that 3E1a was "easier" than 3E1. Do you think this is reasonably true?
Also, does 3E1a become a victim of it's popularity and become a bit like the disaster that is 2E2 at the moment, with the whole class in one giant lecture? I don't know if I could hack another semester of that...

I don't don't do the other course so I don't really know.

Yes, there is a lot of messing in 3E1a because of the larger class.

Brian

Is 3E1a more application-focussed than first and second year maths? Because if it isn't, I think I'd rather do 3E1 just to get away from the cluster**** that is 2E2.

Jonathan

Baza210 wrote: »

Is 3E1a more application-focussed than first and second year maths? Because if it isn't, I think I'd rather do 3E1 just to get away from the cluster**** that is 2E2.

I believe so. It is nice being told where you are going to use the maths you are currently studying.

brownacid

3e1a is a piece of piss, its an absolute banker of an exam!

MadRush

Hey guys....

ive heard a lot about engineering at UCD being 'better' than Trinity engineering...
i'd like to study here for several reasons, the location, 2 years general instead of one.... but i'm just wondering does anyone know anything about UCD engineering that makes it better than at Trinity?
i'd just like to make sure i'm picking the right course for the right reasons...

thanks

Jonathan

MadRush wrote: »

Hey guys....

ive heard a lot about engineering at UCD being 'better' than Trinity engineering...
i'd like to study here for several reasons, the location, 2 years general instead of one.... but i'm just wondering does anyone know anything about UCD engineering that makes it better than at Trinity?
i'd just like to make sure i'm picking the right course for the right reasons...

thanks

What do you want to study?

MadRush

maybe i put that badly...

basically i want to find out whether i should do engineering at UCD because people say its better there, or stick with engineering at Trinity because i'd like to study there...

could anyone tell me the pros/cons of engineering at Trinity?

any reason to consider UCD?

thanks

Jonathan

Sorry, maybe I put that badly too. What area of engineering do you hope to study? Civil, mechanical, electrical, electronic or computer?

devinejay

It sounds like you're in the same position I was two years ago, basically the practicalities won out in the end for me. UCD is too far for me to commute and I couldn't have afforded to move out. Also I liked the idea of the two years of general engineering and that turned out to be reasonably successful also, I don't think choosing which type of engineering you do is something to be rushed. (That being said, if you've your heart set on Civil/Mech, Comp Sci may turn out to be a real pain for two years)

I was never really bowled over with reports about UCD engineering being better than TCD's, although that was the general perception, probably because practically no one has experience of both. In the end I decided to go for Trinity for reasons I was sure of rather than killing myself getting out to UCD on the basis of rumors of superiority.

That's how I made the choice, hope it helps in some way!

Brian

I found the two years of general pretty unbearable. I think that was probably because of the emphasis on civil engineering.

desertstorm

In 2nd year now, and personally I've found the 2 years general great, really glad I did over 1. I wouldn't have had a clue what to pick after 1st year (even though when filling out my CAO I was head-set on mech. and had always thought that's what I wanted to do)

I never really thought of the course as having an emphasis in any one direction really
That said I'm not mad about the computers, it is hard to get to grips with if it's not you're thing, but the 2 modules we've had in it the last two years definitely taught me stuff I would never have learnt otherwise and I find it really interesting now (still going to do mech tho )

The only advantage to going to UCD I can think of is their Chemical engineering degree which TCD doesn't do, other than that it's all practicalities in my opinion

Oh also, UCD take your right ring finger in an initiation ceremony to remind you of the mistake in you're CAO if you choose there. It's not mentioned in the prospectus, but I'm told by reliable sources that's a fact.

Jonathan

desertstorm wrote: »

The only advantage to going to UCD I can think of is their Chemical engineering degree which TCD doesn't do, other than that it's all practicalities in my opinion

TCD does not offer electrical engineering, only electronic engineering.

TheAmateur

Kinda getting the impression from this 2e10 project that the Elec. and CS departments sometimes don't communicate very well. Wondering if this ever becomes a problem in the CD stream? Can anyone confirm/deny these suspicions?

Jonathan

TheAmateur wrote: »

Kinda getting the impression from this 2e10 project that the Elec. and CS departments sometimes don't communicate very well. Wondering if this ever becomes a problem in the CD stream? Can anyone confirm/deny these suspicions?

I asked the same question last year. It doesn't really affect the student.

Groinshot

DAmn first year chemistry, its so bloody difficult for someone who has never done it before.....

brownacid

i got a solid 41% in that 2 years ago, I was like you, just concentrate on the thermodynamics section, its fairly easy once you gte the hang of it and its two questions that can seriously help you. I think it was in fact the only two question i did on the paper

devinejay

I didn't think Chemistry was going to be that bad cause I really enjoyed LC chemistry, but it was woeful in the end. A skin-of-my-teeth 30% for me!

devinejay

7 Engineering Scholars this year!! Congrats everyone, and instead of making us lazy sods look bad, I firmly intend on riding on the coattails of your success