Mechanical engineering vrs Electronic and computer engineering, for me

niallquirke

Hi,

I'm studying general engineering in DCU at the moment and I've just passed first year, now wondering what type of engineering I should choose for the 2nd year. I feel like I know all the information I need to know and I know my own strengths but still the choice seems to even out. I have to make this decision before the deadline in a months time so any help would be massively appreciated ♥️

For me it's between electronic and computer engineering or mechanical engineering and here's why.

Mechanical Engineering

I am a very creative person and am very involved in music and business (being a DJ, producer and in a folk band) and I feel I have an eye for art. This leads me
To believe that I might have talents that might stand out from other engineers in the physical design side of things and I also loved working with solid works in leaving cert.
But I feel a lot of the big jumps in mechanical engineering have already been exhausted and there are less big new company's, less innovation and less opportunities for an entrepreneur (which is definitely the end goal for me) than in a more computer based degree. Especially in Ireland as well where to me there seems to be a lot more big electronic and computer companies than mechanical (Google, Facebook, Intel, etc).

Electronic and Computer Engineering

I have already thought of about 5 different ideas and business's I could start in this type of engineering (not that im starting anything serious right now it's just for my own amusement more than anything) because the industry is moving so rapidly and I can't think of any for mechanical. Especially, again, in Ireland.
However I never really had the motivation to push myself to excel at programming or finding out about circuits or all that sciency stuff, at the end of the day I'm probably more of a business man than an engineer but I'm much happier studying engineering for various reasons.

Maybe there are lots people in my position, maybe not, but I just said I'd leave this post here because I'm desperately down to the level of flipping a coin.

Should I follow my strengths and talents with physical design where I have a chance of excelling in an area compared to other engineers and enjoying the work?
Or should I take the business mans choice and choose the industry where I have the best chance of reaching my ultimate goal?

I'm sorry it's so long and maybe a bit selfish. Short and long replays are all hugely appreciated or opinions (I'm not only looking for "experts") or even anything conversation
You might want to add if your interested in the topic.

Thank you so so so much.

i_elec

Hi,

From reading your summary of how you feel about both courses, I'd say mechanical would be best for you.

I recently graduated form the Electronic Engineering course and its all programming, circuits and "sciency stuff". However Mechanical Engineering also has a large amount of "Sciency Stuff".


But to be honest, engineering is all science and maths. Engineering is about using science and math to solve real world problems. There are a couple of design modules in the Mechanical engineering course, but the majority of your time will be spent learning about Mechanics, materials, control and different manufacturing processes.

However, Electronic engineering would be good from an entrepreneurship point of view and it would be more interesting to you from a music perspective. But there is a lot of communication theory and electromagnetism and very difficult hardcore math, like fourier transforms.

Maybe you should try Mechatronic Engineering as a best of both worlds solution, but it still has the programming, circuits and sciency stuff. Or even try the engineering and business module if its still available, or maybe look into a product design course.

Hope this helps.

bren2001

Being extremely blunt, you should not pick whether you want to do Electronic or Mechanical based on the idea that there is more room for innovation in one than others. You should pick it on what you enjoy more.

Firstly, your assumption that Mechanical is more developed and thus, it is harder to generate ideas is false. Mechanical is an ever growing industry with plenty of opportunity for entrepreneurship if you can find it. There is plenty of scope for a million dollar idea in both codes. Unfortunately, finding one in either is extremely difficult. We can all think of "great" ideas but more than likely they are not feasible when you look at costs etc.

Secondly, you've finished first year. Your ideas are not based upon any real engineering basis. By that, I mean you don't know enough to use your engineering knowledge to find a niche in the market, determine how to develop the product, determine what other companies have/can produce said product etc. At this stage, you know Ohm's law and basic mechanics. The 5 idea's you have are a bit of fun but at this stage, most likely no more (unless you are the next Wozniak).

If your ultimate goal is to be a business man and run your own company, go for the one you enjoy doing more. Forget about "talent". You are not able to judge your own "talent". If you enjoy Mechanical engineering more, you are more likely to succeed in the course and will understand the concepts more. This will ultimately help with generating the idea to branch into your own company.

The other option is Mechatronic engineering. The main difference being, you drop fluid dynamics and manufacturing (bar one module) from the mechanical course and electromagnetics and programming from the Electronic course. You still take part in the Lego design competition in third year along with the Fireman challenge. It merges the two that you are considering.

If I were you, I would email one of the lecturers you like and arrange a meeting to discuss what suits you best. Or if you like one of the postgrads, I'm sure they will meet you. (Fail all that, you're free to pop into my office and I'll go through each course with you).

niallquirke

Thanks a million for your help! Especially for your honesty and bluntness, this is the kind of opinion I need!

First of all you are probably right about the industries being equal in innovation and I always try to keep and open mind to the idea that there is always innovation everywhere but just from what I hear and see around me (and I know this is very young of me) electronic and computer engineering seems to be more exciting or more busy I suppose at the moment, in Dublin anyway, I'm sure you know what I mean. But maybe with a bit more research mechanical is the same.
Although I still find it very difficult to get it out of my head that electronics and computing is where it's at at the moment.

Second of all of I'm no Wozniak and my ideas are no super computer kind of ideas just simple apps and things but they are defiantly only a bit of fun for now I was just trying to demonstrate what I meant by the difference in innovation in the 2 industries but it was not a very proving example.

By talent I was talking about where every engineer might have his own strengths that's where mine might lie in physical design etc.

Mechatrinics is another big thing that I'm asking everybody about these days. In my 0 experience and on just what I see and hear I feel if I did mechatronics I wouldn't really know enough about either field, electronic and computer or mechanical. Again I could be wrong but from a employers point of view mechatronics might not be very popular and as an international degree it might not be as well recognised. However I really don't know enough about mechatronics and your opinion on it and just whether there is still any emphasis on design would be much appreciated!

My plan was always to email one lecturer from each course, mechanical and electronic, and try to have meeting with both this week whether my mind will be made up at that stage or not. So yes I definitely thinks that's a good idea. If I'm still confused I will private message you on this and take you up on that offer! Thank you again!

bren2001

niallquirke wrote: »

Thanks a million for your help! Especially for your honesty and bluntness, this is the kind of opinion I need!

First of all you are probably right about the industries being equal in innovation and I always try to keep and open mind to the idea that there is always innovation everywhere but just from what I hear and see around me (and I know this is very young of me) electronic and computer engineering seems to be more exciting or more busy I suppose at the moment, in Dublin anyway, I'm sure you know what I mean. But maybe with a bit more research mechanical is the same.
Although I still find it very difficult to get it out of my head that electronics and computing is where it's at at the moment.

Second of all of I'm no Wozniak and my ideas are no super computer kind of ideas just simple apps and things but they are defiantly only a bit of fun for now I was just trying to demonstrate what I meant by the difference in innovation in the 2 industries but it was not a very proving example.

By talent I was talking about where every engineer might have his own strengths that's where mine might lie in physical design etc.

Mechatrinics is another big thing that I'm asking everybody about these days. In my 0 experience and on just what I see and hear I feel if I did mechatronics I wouldn't really know enough about either field, electronic and computer or mechanical. Again I could be wrong but from a employers point of view mechatronics might not be very popular and as an international degree it might not be as well recognised. However I really don't know enough about mechatronics and your opinion on it and just whether there is still any emphasis on design would be much appreciated!

My plan was always to email one lecturer from each course, mechanical and electronic, and try to have meeting with both this week whether my mind will be made up at that stage or not. So yes I definitely thinks that's a good idea. If I'm still confused I will private message you on this and take you up on that offer! Thank you again!

Electronic engineering only seems to be more busy because its mainstream in the media. The development of solar panels, new chips, automation etc. are fun to read about (hard to invent) but there is just as much research done into materials, new design processes etc. Mechanical just appears to be less sexy. I think I know what you mean, yes Dublin (and Ireland) is slightly more suited to electronic engineering as you don't need plants. There is a huge shortage of good electronic engineers. But that could change by the time you qualify.

I wasn't trying to slam your idea's now. They very well could all be multi-trillion euro stuff. The design of apps etc. is slightly easier as there are less start up costs but I wouldn't class that stuff as engineering. Still can make you a lot of money though. We don't do app design in DCU, so choosing electronic wouldn't greatly help you.

There is a common misconception among undergraduates that Mechatronics in halfway of neither. Mechatronics is its own field. It combines electronic circuits with moving mechanical parts. For example, ask a Mechanical engineer to design a washing machine, the electronics will trip them up. Ask an electronic engineer, the selection of materials, layout etc. will trip them up. Its these types of systems that a Mechatronic engineer are suited too. Electronics and moving parts.

There is the added bonus that you can work in both the Mechanical and Electronic field. I have my degree in Mechatronic but my PhD is purely electronic. Some of my friends went to pure electronic and pure mechanical jobs. Only 2-3 went to Mechatronic stuff.

Get onto the lecturers now. A lot take this week off and the first 2-3 weeks are mental (especially this year for some reason).