• Question: What do you have to study to be an engineer?

    Asked by murphdawg to Niamh, Ned, Laurence, Colin, Aisling on 1 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Niamh Shaw

      Niamh Shaw answered on 1 Mar 2016:

      Well, there are a lot of different types of engineers and whichever type you choose, you will study subjects needed for that kind of engineer. But all engineers study lots of different maths and other subjects that need maths- For instance, if you like building things, like bridges or buildings, then you would be a Civil Engineer and civil engineers would study maths subjects, as well as subjects about materials, and how they behave when they are stressed and strained etc because this is information that they would need to consider when building bridges etc. For a computer engineer, as well as maths subjects, they would also study lots of stuff about how computers are built and all the different parts of a computer and how you put them all together. And a BioEngineer, who might make equipment for hospitals and doctors would spend a lot of time studying biology type subjects as well as maths. I hope that helps

    • Photo: Ned Dwyer

      Ned Dwyer answered on 1 Mar 2016:

      Maths is pretty vital. After thst it depends on wheter it is mechanical civil electronic etc. At university I did chemistry physics and maths in first year and afterwards specialised in more electronics areas. But every subject is useful. Engineers have lots of intersts beyond just engineering. I really loved English Geography and French at school too.

    • Photo: Colin Shirran

      Colin Shirran answered on 2 Mar 2016:

      I wouldn’t worry too much about what to study in college to be an engineer. If you are unsure about what type of engineering to do you can do a generic course which covers all the basis and branches out into specific areas in the later years. Usually after the first year you’ll have an idea of what you are interested. The aircraft systems course I did started off generic but I quickly found out that I wasn’t a big fan of mechanical engineering and really liked electronics.

      As for you now, I would say that maths is very important. I would put physics up there too but it’s usually an optional class in secondary school and would all the basics would be covered in any engineering course you do. Don’t worry about having to do honors math’s though. While it would help if you can do it, I did ordinary and the harder math’s clicked with me in university. I thoroughly believe that if you work at it, maths eventually clicks with everyone after some time.

    • Photo: Laurence O'Rourke

      Laurence O'Rourke answered on 8 Mar 2016:

      I would study Maths & Physics – both of these are key in the engineering world but as you can see in the other answers, it really depends on the area of engineering you pick. I didn’t do Physics in my leaving cert and came out with an honours degree in it – what I’m trying to say here is that sometimes you might not choose the subjects which best suit you and it might take some time before you realise it and change your career course; it’s never too late.

      Pick an area that motivates and interests you.

    • Photo: Aisling Shannon

      Aisling Shannon answered on 9 Mar 2016:

      Hi murphdawg, There are so many different types of engineering but I can’t imagine an engineer who doesn’t need a good background in Maths, now whether you get that at school or develop it more at college, that depends on the individual. Chemistry could be the most important for being a Propulsion or Materials Engineer, Physics for a Mechanical or Electronic Engineer, Biology for a Biomedical or Environmental Engineer… so many choices! The best thing is to focus on what you are interested in and that should steer you towards which area (of engineering hopefully!) you choose for college.

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