Short answer: To become an engineer you can't be afraid of math. 75% of all the courses you will take will involve math. I don't think someone can b.s their way through engineering physics, dynamics, mechanics, thermodynamics etc... without a strong grasp of linear algebra and calculus. Do you need to understand complex math when you are an engineer? I don't know, I haven't finished my studies. All I can say is that I used to sleep in AP calc in my high-school days and would get A+. University is a different story though, I have to fight to get even an A.
Nobody argues that you need to UNDERSTAND math, the problem is that manual calculation is not = understanding it. I do understand what the derivative is and what is used for, but I am not going to waste my time memorizing all the rules needed to solve them manualy, if I have a computer which can do it faster for me. That is the main problem, all of those classes focus way to much on the manual calculation instead of on practical applications.
Great upload!!! There are a lot of talented, innovative people who say they can't be an engineer because they aren't good at math or because they don't like math. That's keeping talented people out of the field.
I feel like a dissenting opinion should be added... The closer you are to theory or anything where you are exploring or inventing something new, the more advanced and used the math becomes. For example, in electrical engineering which is my profession, if you interview at places where the theory is critical, you are tested more on your mathematical abilities than whether or not you know what a circuit is for a specific type of wave filter right off the bat. They are much more interested in seeing if you can prove that a circuit does what it is supposed to do using laplacian mathematics than you essentially being a dictionary for circuits. And when you enter these positions, the math can get even more complex than what the interviewer asks. It also goes without saying, but these types of positions almost always have a bigger impact than positions with less mathematics. More money as well, if you are that type of person... Creativity is essentially a given if you are a strong mathematician. Being excellent at math implies you have a strong understanding of why things work and how things behave. It's the same as an artist having a better understanding of what chords or colors play better together depending on the scenario. Your ceiling is so much higher with a stronger mathematical background. I now work with security and I use a lot of discrete structures and signal theory. When it comes to environmental engineering, I have actually worked with building sensors in this field. Without going into the specifics[keeping privacy], we basically had to make a low build cost sensor to measure an element. Because access to expensive materials was not available due to the low-cost goal, we went to a lab to record high-quality measurements with ultraviolet spectrometers and the sensor we planned on using to establish a calibration curve. Using this, we were able to control for any error. It ended up being a fairly complicated problem, and there was a lot of calculus and Gaussian probability we had to implement. Furthermore, I would say from my perspective, there is probably not enough math in environmental engineering. For example, there have not been many in-depth studies that research the cost-reward ratio of different energy systems in different regions. From my perspective, there is a major optimization issue that environmental engineers can solve when it comes to figuring out where nuclear,solar,hydro,wind,etc is most effective since current energy issues is not a one-size-fits-all problem. If someone could figure this out, it would make switching out of fossil fuels so much better economically, and more importantly, faster. I could see all types of math being used here, see "Optimization theory" on google. It touches on game theory, variational calc, signal analysis, etc. All of which are "upper level" mathematics in college. If anyone wants to disprove me on this though I would be happy to read any papers people link me. Just look at how much math is poured into smart grids. Do you need math if you plan to become an engineer? Absolutely not, there are plenty of positions that just require someone to sit at a desk and use some proprietary software/hardware, or run around and use some tool. However, if you want to make a big impact, you need math. There is no sugar coating it, impact(and pay if you care about that stuff) correlates with more math. Heck, if you want to be someone that makes that type of proprietary software/hardware, you need math. It is no coincidence that a lot of people at the top who make design choices(who are good at making them I should add) and the most talented engineers also have strong math backgrounds.
It does not neccessarily pay more to be more advanced at mathmatics, it can help, but its nowhere near as diffintive. The most crucial part is product management; for example if you are an engineer who works in manufacturing it is absolutely essential to supervise the shop floor & understand it all goes to plan. Math helps but it is not the most critical factor
I don't even use thermodynamics or a majority of the classes I went through during college as part of my duties at my job. I know it's discouraging to fail a class, but that shouldn't stop you from pursuing something because you don't perform to the academic standard. Grades and GPA do not define you. You're more than qualified for anything so long as you are willing to learn. Just keep pushing forward 🙂
I just had to suck it up for the quarters when I had to take them during school. The good thing is that you’ll never have to use the complicated math for work. The highest you’ll have to learn (at least for my program) was linear algebra, if that makes you feel any better 😅
I don’t do much math as a marine engineer, obviously I use basic arithmetic, but things like trigonometry, calculus, ect I rarely need to use. Most real world engineering is what I like to call “precision guess work”🤣 Most of the stuff I design and build is seat of the pants engineering. You have a good idea exactly how strong something needs to be, and what size material is required. You design in a safety factor and call it good. Overbuilt is always a good thing especially in the marine environment where corrosion and environmental factors are unpredictable. I could calculate everything out but three isn’t any point when your using “unreliable data provided by those of questionable knowledge” Build it like a brick shithouse and it’s going to last a long time!
This is mostly true. You can accomplish work that requires math without doing anything beyond geometry. But you can't obtain a degree in such math savvy careers like engineering without learning technical maths. An example, I had to drop out of college for Aviation Maintenance Technician because I failed Technical Math 4 times (combination of calculus and trigonometry). I have a history in automotive, motorcycle, collision repair, electrical, etc so all other courses were easy.
I'm 15 years old, my dream job is civil engineering. But I always fail my mathematics because I don't manage to fix it, but I decided to improve my mathematics. But I also not sure if it is still possible like is it late for doing that? Also think if it is not possible then I should move on from engineering stuff
@@Lapulga20-kickhey there I’m 15 also, you should never give up. I haven’t been the brightest in math throughout my life, until this year just try to understand everything you learn and ask for help. You can become an engineer if you push your way through everything and study.
i don't even have a foundation at math and im wondering if i can push through the absence of this foundation with a lot of studying or it would just be better to take a gap year to build that foundation.
Mathematics is indeed a fundamental subject in many fields, including the one you're pursuing. While it may seem challenging to push through without a strong foundation, it's important to remember that everyone starts somewhere, and with dedication and perseverance, you can overcome this hurdle. Taking a gap year to focus on building your math foundation is a viable option that allows you to allocate dedicated time and effort to strengthen your skills. It can provide you with an opportunity to focus solely on math and ensure you have a solid understanding of the key concepts before diving into more advanced coursework. Ultimately, the decision between taking a gap year or studying alongside your major should be based on your personal circumstances and what you believe will be the most effective approach for building a solid math foundation. Remember that everyone's learning journey is unique, and the important thing is to be proactive in seeking support and putting in the necessary effort to improve your skills.
I'm a junior student doing a B.Eng in Mechanical Engineering Technology (ABET), why did my professor told me that I have to be good at calculations in order to work in an office job as an engineer? After hearing this from him, I was so shock & super disappointed... is he telling the truth? 😔😔😔😩😩😩
@@RandyLy thank you!! what is your take on students taking Bachelors in Engineering Technology, do you think they can still be an engineer and get that engineering job? ( not engineering technician)
@@oyen11 My university didn't have a major in Engineering technology, so I can't say. A job position isn't really correlated to your college degree. You can graduate with an environmental science degree and become an environmental engineer, so long as you have the necessary skills and background knowledge.
Hi :) thank you for the amazing video !!! i was wondering if you study biology or chemistry when studying this environmental engineering course in the undergrad school. also, once youre a qualified environmental engineer, do you have some kind of title in your name? like for example, uhh the engineer, they have like and IR if im not mistaken? OR like architects get Ar or something. will you get that kind of title in your name as well? thank you so much !! youre so awesome and this video really helped me alot as i too, am thinking about my university course . have a nice day :D stay safe
Thank you for watching! I was studying Chemistry during undergrad and switched to Env Eng for graduate school. I didn’t study any Env Eng courses during undergrad so I had a lot of catching up to do during graduate school. Once I’m a certified engineer, I get to brag and put down PE (professional engineer) after my name. Imagine like going to your doctors office and they have for example, “Bob Smith, MD” to signify that theyre a doctor. Its the same thing here for engineers. “Randy Ly, PE” I see it all over LinkedIn and I want it too 😩
Hi Randy, how were able to do the catching up after your chemistry undergrad program? Did you do it before or during the environmental engineering program? What courses did you have to do to catch up? I'm in a similar situation and I need to know what to do to switch
Hey Dennis, I caught up during the first quarter of my Masters program. I only needed like two classes to catch up on which were just one elective engineer class and an extra math class. I didn't take any engineering class during undergrad. My Masters program assumed that everyone coming in already had engineering experience, so they didn't force you to take any classes. It just would have been good to take them but again it wasn't necessary. Essentially, I got away with not having to take heavy engineering classes and it turns out that I didn't really even need them for my current work.
I mostly agree with this, but I have to add something based on my personal experience as an Engineer. Being able to keep things practical and efficient (i.e. using software) is very important in the real world. However, Engineers that can also understand and apply the theoretical/abstract concepts have the potential to make a higher impact. The Engineer(s) that developed the software/calculator for your pipe flow example is most likely an Engineer who can do both, and now that task is easier for everyone.
I don't use any complicated software besides like Microsoft Office. It's good to know ArcGIS and AutoCAD but it depends on your company or your specific duties, whether or not you really need to use it. My job doesn't require me to use anything besides Microsoft Office.
From what I experienced while taking Civil Engineering courses, they required more math than my Env Engineering route. So to answer your question, yes you do.
Short answer: To become an engineer you can't be afraid of math. 75% of all the courses you will take will involve math. I don't think someone can b.s their way through engineering physics, dynamics, mechanics, thermodynamics etc... without a strong grasp of linear algebra and calculus.
Do you need to understand complex math when you are an engineer? I don't know, I haven't finished my studies. All I can say is that I used to sleep in AP calc in my high-school days and would get A+. University is a different story though, I have to fight to get even an A.
Nobody argues that you need to UNDERSTAND math, the problem is that manual calculation is not = understanding it.
I do understand what the derivative is and what is used for, but I am not going to waste my time memorizing all the rules needed to solve them manualy, if I have a computer which can do it faster for me.
That is the main problem, all of those classes focus way to much on the manual calculation instead of on practical applications.
Thanks for making videos about Environmental Engineering you've really cleared up my decision on being an Environmental Engineer.
Thank you for watching! I am glad I can help
@@RandyLy I just graduated in environmental engineering. Thank you for you’re videos.
Great upload!!! There are a lot of talented, innovative people who say they can't be an engineer because they aren't good at math or because they don't like math. That's keeping talented people out of the field.
I feel like a dissenting opinion should be added... The closer you are to theory or anything where you are exploring or inventing something new, the more advanced and used the math becomes. For example, in electrical engineering which is my profession, if you interview at places where the theory is critical, you are tested more on your mathematical abilities than whether or not you know what a circuit is for a specific type of wave filter right off the bat. They are much more interested in seeing if you can prove that a circuit does what it is supposed to do using laplacian mathematics than you essentially being a dictionary for circuits. And when you enter these positions, the math can get even more complex than what the interviewer asks. It also goes without saying, but these types of positions almost always have a bigger impact than positions with less mathematics. More money as well, if you are that type of person...
Creativity is essentially a given if you are a strong mathematician. Being excellent at math implies you have a strong understanding of why things work and how things behave. It's the same as an artist having a better understanding of what chords or colors play better together depending on the scenario. Your ceiling is so much higher with a stronger mathematical background. I now work with security and I use a lot of discrete structures and signal theory.
When it comes to environmental engineering, I have actually worked with building sensors in this field. Without going into the specifics[keeping privacy], we basically had to make a low build cost sensor to measure an element. Because access to expensive materials was not available due to the low-cost goal, we went to a lab to record high-quality measurements with ultraviolet spectrometers and the sensor we planned on using to establish a calibration curve. Using this, we were able to control for any error. It ended up being a fairly complicated problem, and there was a lot of calculus and Gaussian probability we had to implement.
Furthermore, I would say from my perspective, there is probably not enough math in environmental engineering. For example, there have not been many in-depth studies that research the cost-reward ratio of different energy systems in different regions. From my perspective, there is a major optimization issue that environmental engineers can solve when it comes to figuring out where nuclear,solar,hydro,wind,etc is most effective since current energy issues is not a one-size-fits-all problem. If someone could figure this out, it would make switching out of fossil fuels so much better economically, and more importantly, faster. I could see all types of math being used here, see "Optimization theory" on google. It touches on game theory, variational calc, signal analysis, etc. All of which are "upper level" mathematics in college. If anyone wants to disprove me on this though I would be happy to read any papers people link me. Just look at how much math is poured into smart grids.
Do you need math if you plan to become an engineer? Absolutely not, there are plenty of positions that just require someone to sit at a desk and use some proprietary software/hardware, or run around and use some tool. However, if you want to make a big impact, you need math. There is no sugar coating it, impact(and pay if you care about that stuff) correlates with more math. Heck, if you want to be someone that makes that type of proprietary software/hardware, you need math. It is no coincidence that a lot of people at the top who make design choices(who are good at making them I should add) and the most talented engineers also have strong math backgrounds.
It does not neccessarily pay more to be more advanced at mathmatics, it can help, but its nowhere near as diffintive.
The most crucial part is product management; for example if you are an engineer who works in manufacturing it is absolutely essential to supervise the shop floor & understand it all goes to plan. Math helps but it is not the most critical factor
You give me hope, I failed my Thermo midterm, wanted to quit environmental engineering, and change majors
I don't even use thermodynamics or a majority of the classes I went through during college as part of my duties at my job.
I know it's discouraging to fail a class, but that shouldn't stop you from pursuing something because you don't perform to the academic standard. Grades and GPA do not define you. You're more than qualified for anything so long as you are willing to learn. Just keep pushing forward 🙂
I am a welder and I been thinking about going back to school. But math and I have never been the best at it
I just had to suck it up for the quarters when I had to take them during school. The good thing is that you’ll never have to use the complicated math for work.
The highest you’ll have to learn (at least for my program) was linear algebra, if that makes you feel any better 😅
You just gave me hope
😂 It’s not so bad
I love this video!!!
Fellow student: Oh, you’re going into nuclear engineering? You must be good with math!
Me: * laughs nervously *
At least for my position, I don't use any of the university-level math concepts. They have computer software to calculate everything for you.
@@RandyLy That's so freaking nice!
I don’t do much math as a marine engineer, obviously I use basic arithmetic, but things like trigonometry, calculus, ect I rarely need to use. Most real world engineering is what I like to call “precision guess work”🤣 Most of the stuff I design and build is seat of the pants engineering. You have a good idea exactly how strong something needs to be, and what size material is required. You design in a safety factor and call it good. Overbuilt is always a good thing especially in the marine environment where corrosion and environmental factors are unpredictable. I could calculate everything out but three isn’t any point when your using “unreliable data provided by those of questionable knowledge” Build it like a brick shithouse and it’s going to last a long time!
This is mostly true. You can accomplish work that requires math without doing anything beyond geometry. But you can't obtain a degree in such math savvy careers like engineering without learning technical maths. An example, I had to drop out of college for Aviation Maintenance Technician because I failed Technical Math 4 times (combination of calculus and trigonometry). I have a history in automotive, motorcycle, collision repair, electrical, etc so all other courses were easy.
I'm 15 years old, my dream job is civil engineering. But I always fail my mathematics because I don't manage to fix it, but I decided to improve my mathematics. But I also not sure if it is still possible like is it late for doing that? Also think if it is not possible then I should move on from engineering stuff
@@Lapulga20-kickhey there I’m 15 also, you should never give up. I haven’t been the brightest in math throughout my life, until this year just try to understand everything you learn and ask for help. You can become an engineer if you push your way through everything and study.
@@Gamer_Azamey I'm doing good so far
@@Lapulga20-kick I’m so glad to hear that, some people learn differently and I’m glad you never gave up.
People in your comment section always trying to be friends.
I know right? I think they are spammers/robots
oh come on!, lets be friends lol
i don't even have a foundation at math and im wondering if i can push through the absence of this foundation with a lot of studying or it would just be better to take a gap year to build that foundation.
Mathematics is indeed a fundamental subject in many fields, including the one you're pursuing. While it may seem challenging to push through without a strong foundation, it's important to remember that everyone starts somewhere, and with dedication and perseverance, you can overcome this hurdle.
Taking a gap year to focus on building your math foundation is a viable option that allows you to allocate dedicated time and effort to strengthen your skills. It can provide you with an opportunity to focus solely on math and ensure you have a solid understanding of the key concepts before diving into more advanced coursework.
Ultimately, the decision between taking a gap year or studying alongside your major should be based on your personal circumstances and what you believe will be the most effective approach for building a solid math foundation. Remember that everyone's learning journey is unique, and the important thing is to be proactive in seeking support and putting in the necessary effort to improve your skills.
I'm a junior student doing a B.Eng in Mechanical Engineering Technology (ABET), why did my professor told me that I have to be good at calculations in order to work in an office job as an engineer? After hearing this from him, I was so shock & super disappointed... is he telling the truth? 😔😔😔😩😩😩
You’ll still have to know how to do calculations but theyre not going to be something youre forced to remember formulas or solve by hand.
@@RandyLy thank you!! what is your take on students taking Bachelors in Engineering Technology, do you think they can still be an engineer and get that engineering job? ( not engineering technician)
@@oyen11 My university didn't have a major in Engineering technology, so I can't say. A job position isn't really correlated to your college degree. You can graduate with an environmental science degree and become an environmental engineer, so long as you have the necessary skills and background knowledge.
@@RandyLy thank youuuu for this.
I'm from Brazil and i can't believe you know this Nazare's math meme hahhahah
Memes are a universal language 😂
@@RandyLy your Channel is Amazing! I Study environmental engineering and learnirg a lot here! Good job :)
@@amandawirz8005 Thank you! Keep it up
Hi :) thank you for the amazing video !!! i was wondering if you study biology or chemistry when studying this environmental engineering course in the undergrad school.
also, once youre a qualified environmental engineer, do you have some kind of title in your name? like for example, uhh the engineer, they have like and IR if im not mistaken? OR like architects get Ar or something. will you get that kind of title in your name as well? thank you so much !! youre so awesome and this video really helped me alot as i too, am thinking about my university course
. have a nice day :D stay safe
Thank you for watching!
I was studying Chemistry during undergrad and switched to Env Eng for graduate school. I didn’t study any Env Eng courses during undergrad so I had a lot of catching up to do during graduate school.
Once I’m a certified engineer, I get to brag and put down PE (professional engineer) after my name. Imagine like going to your doctors office and they have for example, “Bob Smith, MD” to signify that theyre a doctor. Its the same thing here for engineers. “Randy Ly, PE” I see it all over LinkedIn and I want it too 😩
Iam an environmental engineer, and I don't agree with you. What you have said is not accurate.
There will always be disagreements and different perspectives from other engineers
Does one have to be good at math to study environmental engineering or landscape architecture?
Just enough to pass the classes from your university
Hi Randy, how were able to do the catching up after your chemistry undergrad program? Did you do it before or during the environmental engineering program? What courses did you have to do to catch up? I'm in a similar situation and I need to know what to do to switch
Hey Dennis,
I caught up during the first quarter of my Masters program. I only needed like two classes to catch up on which were just one elective engineer class and an extra math class. I didn't take any engineering class during undergrad.
My Masters program assumed that everyone coming in already had engineering experience, so they didn't force you to take any classes. It just would have been good to take them but again it wasn't necessary. Essentially, I got away with not having to take heavy engineering classes and it turns out that I didn't really even need them for my current work.
@@RandyLy thanks very much, I guess I can also catch up during my first year
I mostly agree with this, but I have to add something based on my personal experience as an Engineer. Being able to keep things practical and efficient (i.e. using software) is very important in the real world. However, Engineers that can also understand and apply the theoretical/abstract concepts have the potential to make a higher impact. The Engineer(s) that developed the software/calculator for your pipe flow example is most likely an Engineer who can do both, and now that task is easier for everyone.
what kind of software need to learn to become an environmental engineer
I don't use any complicated software besides like Microsoft Office. It's good to know ArcGIS and AutoCAD but it depends on your company or your specific duties, whether or not you really need to use it. My job doesn't require me to use anything besides Microsoft Office.
Do I need to be good at math to study civil engineering ?
From what I experienced while taking Civil Engineering courses, they required more math than my Env Engineering route. So to answer your question, yes you do.
Where did you studied at?
Bachelors at UC Riverside.
Masters at UC Irvine