I recently got a PM asking a lot of things pertaining to UoM Engineering, so I thought I'd spread my advice here.
What are all the subjects have you taken so far and what will you be taking next semester?
First year:
PHYC10003 - Physics 1
MAST10006 - Calculus 2
ENGR10004 - ESD1
ECON10004 - Introductory Microeconomics
PHYC10004 - Physics 2: Physical Science and Tech
MAST10007 - Linear Algebra
ENGR10003 - ESD2
CHEM10003 - Chemistry 1
Second year:
ELEN20005 - Foundations of Electrical Networks (Summer)
COMP20005 - Engineering Computation
ENGR20004 - Engineering Mechanics
MAST20029 - Engineering Mathematics
FNCE10001 - Finance 1
COMP20003 - Algorithms and Data Structures (Overloaded)
ELEN30011 - Electrical Device Modelling
ELEN30012 - Signals and Systems
MCEN30018 - Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics
ECON10003 - Introductory Macroeconomics
Third Year:
ELEN30009 - Electrical Network Analysis and Design
ELEN30010 - Digital Systems Design
MCEN30016 - Mechanical Dynamics
MCEN30017 - Mechanics and Materials
FNCE20001 - Business Finance
MCEN30014 - Mechanical Design
I'm thinking of doing the minimum amount of breadth. I did two level 1 breadth this year, Sports Coaching and Intro to Climate Change, and will most likely do another level 1 and a level 2 over the next 2 years. When you chose breadth did you look specifically for 'easy' subjects that were not that 'taxing'? So many of the breadth subjects have very long written pieces for assessment, which I'd prefer not to do seeing as I wouldn't score all to well. I want to find breadth subjects that I can get a high mark in, and if they don't require that much effort that would be a bonus. Which of your breadth would you recommend for others to do?
Personally, I chose breadths to benefit my future career, and did commerce subjects. Considering I'm paying $1000 a subject, I didn't really want to waste that. I did however, want to choose more mathematically inclined subjects (although first year commerce maths is a joke compared to Science mathematics). I would recommend something that you find interesting. You'll probably do better in it than something you're doing for an "easy" H1.
Is it true that only 2nd and 3rd year results count?
For entry into the Master of Engineering, yes. First year is mostly getting acclimatised to university life, and employers take not of that. It is better to get constantly good marks throughout your degree, which includes first year.
For my science electives in yr 2/3, should I be looking to incorporate IT subjects as much as I can? My ESD2 demonstrator (who finished his masters last year) mentioned that he hadn't taken a formal IT subject, he just taught learned it all it by himself, which didn't turn out too well in a job interview when he was asked technical questions specifically IT related. Which IT subjects would you recommend for 2nd/3rd year?
I think that computing is becoming increasingly fundamental to various streams of engineering. However, I don't think you should take IT for the sake of taking it. I'm taking computing subjects (not anymore after 2nd year), because they are interesting to me. I do see the benefit of taking these subjects for my various engineering courses.
I recommend: Object Oriented Software Development over Alg and DS just from friends opinions. It seems a little more useful.
You have to do Eng Comp which is extremely fun! Make sure you do it in first semester so you get Alistair Moffat, he is awesome!
I noticed that you have been doing both electrical and mechanical systems majors this semester. When you finish your science degree will it be a double major? Which master are you planning to do (if you are doing one)? So will you be finishing your tertiary studies in 4.5 years rather that 5 by overloading?
UoM doesn't recognise double majors. So, I'll probably take MCEN30014 Mechanical Design at Monash and finish in June with a Mechanical Systems, and complete a Master of Engineering (Mech Sys). Ill still finish my tertiary studies in 5 years, since I'll be taking that 6 months off to get work full time and to travelling with some mates.
With regards to vacation work (in the summer or whenever), how important to you think it is to get that sort of experience during undergrad? Have you done any yet or will the 'vision-based tracking...' during the summer be your first? Could you tell me a little about that research experience you will be doing.
In the engineering industry, it is VITAL you get work experience before you graduate in your fifth year. Internships are usually open only to penultimate students (4th year going to 5th year) but some companies open their vacation work over summer for lower students. The earlier you can get any form of professional experience, the better. It'll give you excellent practical experience and you won't look like a book work that only studies.
In regards to me getting experience in my undergrad, I've just finished 2nd year today, and there is small, small chance of getting any work without nepotism after your first year because you don't know jack about proper engineering. For me, this is my first stint at engineering work. This industrial robotics project is my first, and I'll be assisting a research team with computer programming and hardware tests apparently for 12 weeks, which should be really fun!
I hope I answered all you're questions adequately.
Cheers,
Hancock