B Engineering/ B Commerce (1 Viewer)

[Cookie182]

Anyone currently doing this or planning to undertake it?

What are ur thoughts? Commerce major? Is it worth combining Engineering with Commerce? I realise they are in many aspects unrelated fields. Is the workload a hell of a lot more, or does the 5 years space it out nicely?

Im seriously considering B Engineering (civil)/ B Commerce next year- not sure what major yet- although ive loved economics all year- but i think HR Management could be useful as wlel, or just plain old accounting.

Anywayz....comments!

Please dont give me links to the www.uow.edu.au ive looked at the degree info a million times

 

[Cookie182]

just trying to get some ppl to read this!

 

[Testpilot]

Anyone currently doing this or planning to undertake it?

What are ur thoughts? Commerce major? Is it worth combining Engineering with Commerce? I realise they are in many aspects unrelated fields. Is the workload a hell of a lot more, or does the 5 years space it out nicely?

Im seriously considering B Engineering (civil)/ B Commerce next year- not sure what major yet- although ive loved economics all year- but i think HR Management could be useful as wlel, or just plain old accounting.

Anywayz....comments!

I believe I'm the man you want to speak to (see sig).

a) The validity of the degree really depends on which direction you want to go in.
b) No the workload is more than a single degree (an extra subject per session).

Post specific Qs and i'll answer them for you.

EDIT: Doing Civil, haven't selected Commerce major yet.

 

[watatank]

i don't think its really worth doing a management major for the commerce degree. you can always pick up management subjects as electives during your engineering degree if you're really keen.

you will have plenty of time to decide on your major...you won't start your commerce part till second year anyway (unless you want to overload- that is do 5 subjects/summer session or something).

 

[Cookie182]

I believe I'm the man you want to speak to (see sig).

a) The validity of the degree really depends on which direction you want to go in.
b) No the workload is more than a single degree (an extra subject per session).

Post specific Qs and i'll answer them for you.

EDIT: Doing Civil, haven't selected Commerce major yet.

Hey, yea definately.

How do u find an extra subject per semester? Is it a valuabe use of your time doing the commerce or would u pick up the commerce stuff in the field actualy working as an engineer? Do you think it would help you be a little bit more fast tracked through your career (considering your a very good engineer)? Do you enjoy civil at wollongong- what are your ambitions when you finish? Do u feel prepared for a solid career with the degree your getting?

I know its a lot of Q's lol but your really the only one on here i know who is doing the degree? So please answer away!!!

 

[Testpilot]

Hey, yea definately.

How do u find an extra subject per semester? Is it a valuabe use of your time doing the commerce or would u pick up the commerce stuff in the field actualy working as an engineer? Do you think it would help you be a little bit more fast tracked through your career (considering your a very good engineer)? Do you enjoy civil at wollongong- what are your ambitions when you finish? Do u feel prepared for a solid career with the degree your getting?

I know its a lot of Q's lol but your really the only one on here i know who is doing the degree? So please answer away!!!

a)Extra subject so far has been easy. But i've only done 100 level stuff.

you will have plenty of time to decide on your major...you won't start your commerce part till second year anyway (unless you want to overload- that is do 5 subjects/summer session or something).

Yeah I just want to finish my degree is quick as possible so'll I'm pushing on over summer. I'm aiming to get 1st year Comm done by the end of next year so i can double (Accy/Finance) major it in five if they let me.

b)Depends on your role as an engineer and which commerce major you pick.
I'd imagine it would be easier to pick up management skills than accounting skills (because there is set ways of doing things for accounting).

c)Again depends on your ambitions but it wouldn't hurt to have the extra degree, especially since a lot of engineers end up as managers or in the finance industry (which is where i'm heading).

d) Civil is great. You should enjoy physics/maths to cope with in engineering degree (because everything is based on these subjects).

e) At this stage i plan to work somewhere in the finance industry and i don't think i will practice as an engineer, but i still have time to think.

f)UOW is good but like all unis also has its flaws, if you learn to work within the system you get a decent degree.

 

[Cookie182]

Im curious as to what aspect you plan to work in the finance industry as? I have read somewhere that engineering grads are often regarded for their analytical skills in the finance industry, but wouldnt you specifically do a finance degree to end up there? I got offered early entry into Maths and Finance and whilst im not sure ill take it, finance was an interest for me (trading/banking).

Would doing engineering be just as useful- ie you gain maths skills any way but also have a completely open path- you can work in engineering.

How hard do you find civil- i find structures very interesting- particularly stress/strain and want to learn more about hooke's law and loads/tension on beams etc so i guess civil is definately my choice. I also find geology interesting and hydrology. What is the maths like? I have not done 3U but i got 96 in 2 U for trial and like working with numbers- i particulalry like applying physics formulas.

Did you do math 141/math 142 or the math 187/188 strands? I know u get the choice in engineering, not sure what i would do.

How are the employment opportunities from wollongong particularly- starting salaries? Any big success stories you know of, where people leave and hook up a sweet gig within a few yrs (aka 100 k+). Part of the reason im attracted to math/finance is a story i read about a dude coming out and earning 180+ after 2 yrs.

Also, as an engineer is it a good work/life balance- would u ever time to surf/socialise/have a family? Is it an incredibly hard career path- aka stress? I know the quantitative finance industry is particulalry demanding and places a large strain on many ppl- investment banking is incredibly demanding in terms of hours.

Plus im also attracted to engineering as i hear u do get to get out and about- go in the field sometimes- get some sun- id like a bit of office/outside balance.

Any way- what im basically saying is im caught between engineering and maths finance- but i think im leaning to engineering and combining it with commerce for widening of opportunity.

Whooo...long post

so yea just hit us wit as much as info as you can.


thanks

 

[Testpilot]

Im curious as to what aspect you plan to work in the finance industry as? I have read somewhere that engineering grads are often regarded for their analytical skills in the finance industry, but wouldnt you specifically do a finance degree to end up there? I got offered early entry into Maths and Finance and whilst im not sure ill take it, finance was an interest for me (trading/banking).

Planning to do investment banking, superannuation, some sought of financially analytical job.

Would doing engineering be just as useful- ie you gain maths skills any way but also have a completely open path- you can work in engineering.

A lot of people in the finance industry have engineering degrees. However in a B Maths you wil do far more maths than in an engineering degree, you will have to research whether this extra math is needed or not (because i'm not sure)

How hard do you find civil- i find structures very interesting- particularly stress/strain and want to learn more about hooke's law and loads/tension on beams etc so i guess civil is definately my choice. I also find geology interesting and hydrology. What is the maths like? I have not done 3U but i got 96 in 2 U for trial and like working with numbers- i particulalry like applying physics formulas.

I haven't done any pure civil subjects yet (don't until 2nd year), but we have started to specialise in civil in some of the first year subjects. Whether or not it is difficult depends on how your brain 'works'. Some people find that statitics are the easiest thing in the world (statitics is a civil engineers bread and butter) while others find statics extremely hard. By the sounds of it civil is the best choice for you. You'll love some of the first year subjects.

[

]Did you do math 141/math 142 or the math 187/188 strands? I know u get the choice in engineering, not sure what i would do.

The maths is complex, you go beyond the 4U HSC course. That said if you work hard its well and truely do-able. I do 141/142. The difference between the 141/2 and 187/8 is there is a 4 week course on 3U and some 4U maths in 141 but not in 187 and the 141/2 subjects get to bring a double sided A4 summary sheet into exams (you can put whatever you like on it). In the long run 142/188 combine into MATH283 for second year so by doing 141/2 you're not disadvantaged. Go for 141/2.

How are the employment opportunities from wollongong particularly- starting salaries? Any big success stories you know of, where people leave and hook up a sweet gig within a few yrs (aka 100 k+). Part of the reason im attracted to math/finance is a story i read about a dude coming out and earning 180+ after 2 yrs.

The uni you attend should not affect your post uni career. Opportunities like you describe come about due to a variety of factors, most of which irrelevent to educational institution.

Also, as an engineer is it a good work/life balance- would u ever time to surf/socialise/have a family? Is it an incredibly hard career path- aka stress? I know the quantitative finance industry is particulalry demanding and places a large strain on many ppl- investment banking is incredibly demanding in terms of hours.

Its all about how you manage time. Engineers work hard while at uni. The way i see it there is 168 hours in a week, what you do with them is up to you. In the work force you can still work very long hours and have a good family life.

Plus im also attracted to engineering as i hear u do get to get out and about- go in the field sometimes- get some sun- id like a bit of office/outside balance.

Any way- what im basically saying is im caught between engineering and maths finance- but i think im leaning to engineering and combining it with commerce for widening of opportunity.

Whooo...long post

so yea just hit us wit as much as info as you can.


thanks

I can't really offer advice on which way is the best for you to go. Talk to people in industry (i did this) and get a feel for what you want and how is the best way to achieve it for you.

 

[Hakz]

How do you complete a b.engineering/ commerce degree in 5 years? Commerce takes 3 years if you intend to major in something and engineering 4 years = 7 years. How does it fit into 5 years??

 

[jb_nc]

How do you complete a b.engineering/ commerce degree in 5 years? Commerce takes 3 years if you intend to major in something and engineering 4 years = 7 years. How does it fit into 5 years??

lol

 

[Josie]

How do you complete a b.engineering/ commerce degree in 5 years? Commerce takes 3 years if you intend to major in something and engineering 4 years = 7 years. How does it fit into 5 years??

Doing a double degree usually knocks a year or two off the length, since you don't have to do as many credit points overall.

A double degree is defined by the University of Wollongong Course Rules as "an approved course leading to the conferral of two degrees as separate awards upon a candidate who has complied with the Course Requirements for double degrees and the two individual Course Requirements inclusively”.

Double degrees broaden a student’s knowledge and skills base and improve career options in competitive, increasingly interactive fields.

The University’s double degree programs are designed to enhance students’ educational, academic and professional qualifications whilst minimising the costs of their studies.

Taken straight from the arts home page cause I'm lazy and it was already open.

 

[watatank]

How do you complete a b.engineering/ commerce degree in 5 years? Commerce takes 3 years if you intend to major in something and engineering 4 years = 7 years. How does it fit into 5 years??

Well if you do a normal commerce degree you can major in something and do a whole lot of electives, do a major and a minor or do a double major. If you do a double degree, the commerce part is only one major and all you do is the subjects required to complete the major. For example if you intend on majoring in finance you only have to do economics, accounting and one programming subjects first but if you're in a commerce degree you do all them but you still have to do marketing, management, etc.

Engineering degree has a few credit points spare for electives and that gets taken up by a couple of commerce subjects too. You can finish in five years but i think you also have to do an extra subject per session

 

[Testpilot]

Watatank you still have to do all the core subjects for both degrees (of which marketing and management are). Further more some subjects count as 6CP for both degrees e.g. 4th year Eng i miss 18CP due to commerce subjects and i miss around the same from commerce due to engo subjects. That's more than a session full time.

 

[Raiks]

A tip from personal experience (I've been enrolled in both degrees) and a few friends who have graduated, if you're looking at the statistic side of economics or finance as your commerce majors then engineering fits in well due to the maths element.

If you're looking at doing a management major, it's better just to do engineering and then tack on a masters of engineering management at the end because it'll be more relevant for the workplace and for your career path. No engineer ever starts in management, remember that.

 

[Cookie182]

Thanks all for your answers (particularly Testpilot), always good to get some thoughts from ppl in the degree.

Overall im getting the vibe that prospects are very good for future engineers and hope this continues. I hope that civil engineering provides a versatile career path with lots of opportunity for change- ie travel, move into managarial roles (with experince of course) or even something completely differenet like finance.