Anyways in relation to the question, I decided to share some emails about engineering that may be of use to you and any1 else.
Originally Posted by M@ster P
Hi,
I've noticed you are doing civil engineering at UNSW. I would like to ask you a few questions, so you can help me choose my preferences.
1. What made you choose UNSW over other unis such as UTS which I am considering?
It doesn't really matter whether you go UTS or UNSW (just don't go to USYD) because they're more or less the same. UTS's 6 months internship is pretty redundant since UNSW has 60 days minimum internship in order to graduate anyways.
I picked UNSW cause of the campus, seems more lively than boring old UTS.
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2. Im doing 3unit maths and I'm doing average at it, getting marks in the 60% region (CSSA trial), do you think I will be able to cope with first year vivil engineering math at uni?
You should be fine.
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3. How is the environment, are alot of people snobs, or is the envrionment quite lively?
Overall the engineering environment I must say is probably the most lively out of the Uni. We hold weekly events and we're really into the whole teamwork thing (ENGG1000 for example, if you go UNSW). They push you out of your comfort zone to make connections and contacts + friends, cause realistically - 90% of engineers are socially inept.
You get the odd few dumbshits that chose engineering cause that was the course they could make it in, but they drop out soon enough.
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4. How should I prepare for the work in uni, should I go over some topics such as mechanics in 4unit?
Nah, that's just going overboard. Take it as it comes. For maths, attend lectures and pay attention - it helps immensely.
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5. Is the course structure for the first year of engineering common to all engineering degrees?
First sem is common (physics, engg1000, maths + computing) but second sem it branches out abit.
theres diff levels of computing/math/physics available, 2nd sem is normally surveying+chemistry/materials+mechanics.
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6. Finally is the course work difficult for subjects like uni physics and maths?
The math and physics you do in high school is childs play. Wipe out your knowledge of physics right away when you get into uni. For maths....try to understand why you're doing what you're doing, why you're taking a particular appraoch. Uni is much more rigorous in proofs and methods.
hahah just a reminder, you'll hate physics the first time around - but it's actually very easy.
If you got anymore q's just PM me. - This was from Tommykins btw
The following emails are from JohnOliver
Hi I was reading some of your posts and the main message I got from them is that UTS is shit. I was planning to go to UTS but after reading your posts I am having second doubts. I am interested in civil engineering as well. Why is UNSW so much better than UTS?, I heard the work there is long-winded and more theory based and aimed for research why UTS is more practical and the work is easier because its aimed for industry? Is this true.
Also is the 1 year Work expereince at UTS worth it or a waste of time.
Work experience is an absolute waste of time. Sure there is some hands on experience at UTS, and there is more of an industry focus, but you simply won't learn the detail you will at UNSW, and you won't have the resources to learn as much as you will at UNSW.
The thing is UNSW is a *lot* harder because there's a lot more to learn and they are more taxing and less forgiving. However, I think that mentality is far more valuable in the long run if you're going into industry than the whole 'lie back and relax and cruise through uni' mentality, because at the end of the day if you fuck up at work or on a job or you mess something up you can lose your job. It's good to build that level of professionalism from the start.
UTS simply doesn't have the funds to concentrate on Engineering, and they just haven't been paying attention to the students. They're shutting down courses, messing with student's academic plans and generally being total fuckwits.
At UNSW you know exactly where you stand, how your course will progress, what marking criteria exist for each assessment, etc. It's far better organised and there's far more information and support for students.
UNSW is a lot harder, and there's a lot more hard work, but you'll finish Uni a year earlier with arguably more experience and you'll have a greater professional mentality and greater skills than people graduating from the same degree at UTS.
What are the positives of UTS if you don;t mind posting?
More of a social atmosphere, a lot more laid back, organising subjects/classes is a bit easier. They offer classes in both semesters rather than just in one semester at UNSW, so you don't have to wait a year to do a class if it isn't offered the next semester.
The compact campus is also pretty good as there are places to study and you don't really have to wander around all that much, their labs are also open 24/7 as is the Uni.
I hoped these emails are of some benefit to you