Electrical Engineer?

Question

Hey, I live in Australia (i'm not sure if this question goes to other countries too), but i was just wondering:

I'm in year 12 now, and more than half way through my HSC year. I am strongly thinking of doing electrical engineering, but i just wanted to know a few answers.

1. Does it require LOTS of computer programming? If it does, does uni teach you very well, like you've never done it before?

2. For the math parts- would we have to know certain (uesless) topics that we learnt in highschool e.g binomial theoreom

3. Will i have a social life during my uni years studying electrical engineering? Because i've heard that it's EXTREMELY hard!

and i have a few more questions, except i forgot..haha

but yeha. Thanks =)

Answer 1

1) I live in Finland and we have mandatory C++ course (other Finnish universitys for Engineering might have other languages, at least Java is used in one) and also Matlab is taught but there is no couses for it, you basically have to learn it by yourself. But no, there is not lots of programming, but basic programming skills can get you job more easily in early years of studys.

2) All mathematics that you will learn before collage and university will be important. But don't worry if you don't catch all they try to teach you: there will be quite much mathematics in university and even if you don't learn all of it you can still specialize to your own work. But still, mathematics is the base on which you are going to build your professional career.

3) At least in Finland engineering students are relatively well known for their active social life. There is lots of partys, clubs, sports etc. I think that more important is your own effort how you arrange your time.

Answer 2

1.  Some programming, but not an excessive amount

2.  It is good to know the math because you occasionally need to use it.

3.  It you find you need more time to socialize take less classes and spend more years in college.  Personnally, I recommend getting out fast and socializing more later when you have money coming in.