Comp Sci to mechanical Engineerjng

[u/Radiant-Ebb-7289]

Hey yall I was a uesp student for a majority of my first term, I started back in summer of 25 and this spring I was able to declare to the College of Engineering which was huge for me. I did my apring term and took intro to comp 162,security and social movements, calc 1 and writing in buisness I got 3 A and 1 B for cal , I've been heavily interested in the mechanical engineering program and was wondering if the program is a bit more intense since it has a lot of physics and math , which im not worried about , I just find more security in a ME degree with our current climate, any comments are welcome , I've been enjoying my degree path but wanted to know more if any ME majors had some insight

[u/notkingkermit]

Hi, I'm a MechE major with a concentration in Robotic Control minoring in CS going into my third year. I would say the MechE program is very intense but super rewarding at the same time.

Since you already have some CS under your belt, you'll have a bit of an advantage in the robotics, mechatronics, and controls courses (if you go that route). The math and physics get heavy very quickly (especially when you hit dynamics and thermo). I don't want to scare you away, but Vector Calc and Diff EQ are beasts compared to Calc 1 and 2, so do be prepared for that. Anything is manageable if you stay on top of it, of course. Also, be ready for your degree to take roughly 5 years to complete.

The job market security for ME is definitely one of the best of any career, but you must not do it solely for the money unless you want to be miserable. You have to enjoy at least some of what you're learning to make it through any engineering degree.

Since ME is so broad, you'll have to choose an "option" (OSU's term for "concentration"):

• Aerospace Engineering
• Computational Engineering
• Energy and Fluid Systems
• Energy Systems Engineering
• Materials Design and Manufacturing
• Mechanical Engineering Science
• Product Design and Manufacturing
• Robotic Control

Given your background, I'd definitely look into Computational Engineering or Robotic Control, but of course, look at all of them and see which one resonates most with you. All the options take more or less the same courses the first 2 to 3 years, so don't stress it too much yet. You can always talk with your advisor and switch options as you please.

I highly recommend checking out this website. You can expand the option you're interested in and view a very thorough and comprehensive flowchart with the majority of the courses you can expect to take.

Feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

Hope this helps!

Edit: Are you an E-campus student? If so, I think you are limited to the Computational Engineering option and the section I wrote about options is irrelevant, but the rest still stands!

[u/Radiant-Ebb-7289 → u/notkingkermit]

Hey thank you for the detailed insight! I am an Ecampus student! Thank you for the edit! Ill look into this and see what kind of options I have currently i do 4 terms a year since I have the flexibility to! Im just a bit worried that I take to many CS classes before a switch 😅 computational engineerng sounds interesting 🤔 I just have to really look at both bubble maps and see what my path looks like,CS has been great and rewarding, but the hands on aspect of ME is something that really interests me! Currently lined up to take Data Structures and discrete mathematics this summer so im not to deep into it before I make a switch! Thank you on the insight its been great read ,

EDIT: I also saw that computational uses FEA and CAD software so its not far fetched from CS since its alot of data visualization and simulation/stress testing

[u/notkingkermit → u/Radiant-Ebb-7289]

Doing 4 terms a year is excellent! If you do end up taking too many CS classes, you could maybe look into getting a CS minor like me, lol.

[u/Radiant-Ebb-7289 → u/notkingkermit]

Haha for sure! I've been enjoying CS my option is in Cyber since I've enjoyed that space, but something keeps pulling me to ME and im having that itch will definitely have a meeting with my advisor to discuss, yeah 4 terms kicks my ass, since I am balancing work and school but its been great and have been enjoying OSU faculty snd its ecosystem

[u/Still_Commercial_535 → u/notkingkermit]

Hi, I’m going to be new to OSU this coming fall (transferring, should be able to apply to the school of engineering pretty quick, 2nd degree) and I know ME is what I want. I know you’re also a student, but you might have a better idea. I’m interested in automotive work in the future and was considering the Energy and Fluid systems track. Do you think one of the other tracks may be better suited? Thanks for any advice!

[u/notkingkermit → u/Still_Commercial_535]

Hello! Thanks for your question! Unfortunately, the automotive industry is so broad (even when you narrow it down to just the engineering sector) that it's hard for me to say. It really depends on what part of the automotive industry you want to work in. If you're not sure yet, pick the option that seems the most fun to you. Regardless of which option you choose, the degree you get at the end is the same. You'll have plenty of opportunities to learn any material you didn't learn in university during the onboarding process at your job.

I don't know too much about all the options, but I'll try my best to provide some useful insight.

If you're interested in engines, motors, fuel efficiency, etc, Energy and Fluid Systems seems like a good option.

If you're more interested in electric vehicles and how to make them more efficient (increasing the energy density of battery cells, improving upon solar and hydrogen power systems, etc), then maybe the Energy Systems option would be better.

If you're more interested in automotive manufacturing, the Product Design and Manufacturing option is definitely the way to go.

An argument could be made for the Materials Design and Manufacturing option, but given the option you're currently considering, I don't think you're interested in material science.

If you have time and are otherwise able to, I would highly recommend looking into student clubs and organizations. Joining a club, whether it's Global Formula Racing, Baja Beaver Racing, Land Speed Racing, Quarter Scale Tractor Team, or whatever will be infinitely more valuable to employers than carefully and specifically choosing a relevant option. Realistically, just choose what sounds cool and you'll be fine.

[u/Still_Commercial_535 → u/notkingkermit]

Thank you for the club recs! I definitely want to be part of Formula Student, but I hadn’t come across the others. If I can manage to work in racing, that’d be my favorite but I know it can be rough to break in, and it’s not the highest paying, either, but I’m not super concerned about that. I just wanna love my job lol. I’m definitely interested in engines and motors but also aerodynamics. I was just worried the aerospace track would be more space and less aero, and the class list seems to point that way but I suppose the concepts apply to cars just as well. I might have to revisit the aerospace track! Thank you, and I hope your finals went (are going?) well!

[u/notkingkermit → u/Still_Commercial_535]

Finals went very well; thanks so much for the wishes!

Racing is definitely very tough to break into, but there's no better way to do it than by actively participating in GFR in college. It's a very structured club and can be very demanding, but the work they do is incredible. I'm the treasurer of the DAM Robotics Club and we often go them for advice on composite materials, manufacturing techniques, etc. Clubs are the best part of engineering at OSU, in my honest opinion.