Submission + - Best second major for a mechanical engineer 3
Scarred Intellect writes: "After attending DigiPen Institute of Technology and deciding that I liked the idea of programming more than programming itself (I still do enjoy it a bit); after getting my AA at a community college with no direction; after much tinkering with engines growing up; after 4 years of service in the US Marine Corps infantry; I have finally decided what I want to do when I grow up: mechanical engineering.
The reason is simple, I believe our automobiles can be a lot better (in terms of engine/propulsion) than they are now. The technology exists, there's more technology to develop for them. I've taken an intense interest in biodiesel and other clean alternative energy sources (fuel cells being one of my favorite, second is solar, with wind being last) and enjoy simply making things work. So I figured mechanical engineering. It'll give me a broad understanding of the more specific engineering disciplines, and I think that is what I need.
My uncle, also a mechanical engineer (Master's degree) suggested I get a second major in computer science to complement ME. Sounds like a good idea to me, I could mate mechanical processes with computer controls pretty effectively.
I've currently got my AA and all the humanities out of the way, but the program will still take me 3 or 4 years to complete due to scheduling and pre-requisites and such, so I'll be have to plan more to maintain a full schedule (to keep the full benefits of the GI Bill).
So what does the Slashdot crowd think? ME + CS? Or ME + something else? I'll almost definitely have a math minor coming out of this."
The reason is simple, I believe our automobiles can be a lot better (in terms of engine/propulsion) than they are now. The technology exists, there's more technology to develop for them. I've taken an intense interest in biodiesel and other clean alternative energy sources (fuel cells being one of my favorite, second is solar, with wind being last) and enjoy simply making things work. So I figured mechanical engineering. It'll give me a broad understanding of the more specific engineering disciplines, and I think that is what I need.
My uncle, also a mechanical engineer (Master's degree) suggested I get a second major in computer science to complement ME. Sounds like a good idea to me, I could mate mechanical processes with computer controls pretty effectively.
I've currently got my AA and all the humanities out of the way, but the program will still take me 3 or 4 years to complete due to scheduling and pre-requisites and such, so I'll be have to plan more to maintain a full schedule (to keep the full benefits of the GI Bill).
So what does the Slashdot crowd think? ME + CS? Or ME + something else? I'll almost definitely have a math minor coming out of this."
