If I don't particularly LOVE Physics, but I DO LOVE math, will I like/succeed in Civil Engineering?

Question

Honestly, I just don't really like physics, but I'll do it to become an engineer. On the other hand, I LOVE math, so everyone told me to be an Engineer.

Answer 1

The previous answers are correct, but I'd like to add something. I'm an engineer that never did particularly well in physics classes. In fact, I had such a difficult time in physics classes that I got to the point of doubting my ability to be a successful engineer. Yet, I did just fine in engineering, thank you.

I *do* wish I had a better understanding of physics, and in retrospect, 20+ years after graduating from college, I feel that "blame," if you want to call it that, is shared between myself and my professors. My professors never did, in my mind, a particularly good job of bridging the gap between theory and practice. And I never worked hard enough at understanding the theory. I tended to have an attitude of "what does this have to do with anything?"

The truth of the matter is, on a day to day basis, a practicing engineer will *not* do the kinds of derivations and calculations that you do in physics classes in college. That's the good news for folks like us. The bad news is that all of the computer programs we run will be based on those derivations and calculations, and the time will come when you'll wish you understood them better.

So, if you want to be a civil engineer, good luck to you. Remember that Newton's laws are the basis of virtually everything you will work with, and learn them to the best of your ability. Same with Pascal's Law and Bernoulli's Principle with fluids.

But if you're only becoming a civil engineer because someone told you it would be a good idea, step back and take a look at what *you* want to do.

Math majors can't be civil engineers without the physics, but they *can* be actuaries, statisticians, teachers, and probably a bunch of other things. Something to think about.

Answer 2

Physics is an integral part of being an Engineer. The math you learn will be used in all aspects of physics, chemistry, strength of materials, dynamics, statics....etc. Math is the basis upon which all of your coursework will be built, but the logic of these other sciences will be what allows you do perform your job. If you dont enjoy other sciences, why not just major in math. You can continue through many levels of math courses, teach math, or do mathematics research. I am an Engineer, and I find that most of my work is in using the fundamentals of physics to solve problems. The further I went in my math courses, the more I needed physics to understand the theory behind the math.

Answer 3

Civil engineering is a broad field of engineering that deals with the planning, construction, and maintenance of fixed structures, or public works, as they are related to earth, water, or civilization and their processes. Most civil engineering today deals with power plants, bridges, roads, railways, structures, water supply, irrigation, environment, sewer, flood control and traffic. In essence, civil engineering may be regarded as the profession that makes the world a more agreeable place in which to live.

In the U.S., one must become a licensed Professional Engineer to do any civil engineering work affecting the public or to legally represent oneself as a civil engineer. Licensure requirements vary slightly by state, but in all cases entail passing two licensure exams, the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and the Principles and Practice exam (commonly called the PE), and completing a state-mandated number of years of work under the supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer. In addition, an educational requirement must often be met. All states accept a four year Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree in Civil Engineering, from an ABET-accredited program, for their educational requirement. The acceptability of degrees in other fields varies by state; some states allow a person to substitute additional years of supervised work experience for the degree requirement. Although the American Society of Civil Engineers encourages states to raise the educational requirement to a graduate degree, advanced degrees are currently optional for civil engineers in the United States. Graduate study may lead either to a Master of Engineering, which is a Professional Master's degree, or to a Master of Science degree followed by a PhD in civil engineering or a sub-discipline.

So you can do a BS in Mathematics and take some physics papers as minor which will be easier that doing Engineering degree or a BS in Physics. Then after graduation qualify and pass the licensure test and BINGO.

You will have to learn Physics no matter what this might be a easier route. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Every thing has its good, and bad. With the proper math grounding, physics becomes much much easier. There is not a science so closely married to math than physics. If you LOVE math and are good at math, the physics will become second nature. Just do your best and you will be good.

oh yeah

have fun doing it

Answer 5

Certainly. But do not dislike physics; it is the foundation of engineering.