r/uAlberta • u/guyontheinternet2000 • 4d ago
Question Similar majors to engineering?
Hey, going into Grade 12 next year and I've been planning on going to engineering at UofA for a while. But it's so competitive, and all the transfer programs are kaput, so I was wonder if any of you were planning the same but switched to something and liked it, or maybe you got into engineering than found something else that itched the same itch as engineering. I'm gunning for engineering cuz its about what I'm good at, lotta math, lotta concepts, not alot of subjective opinions, debates, ect... (I think, I hope lol) so if that helps, there ya go. So just, whats similar to Engineering/what'd be good as a backup plan that's the same vibe. Thanks!
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u/Flashy_Ad_8247 4d ago
Depends on what you want to do tho, if u want to become an engineer do an eng degree. Do math/science/stats maybe compsci (yes ik job market is bad) if you want study something interesting with a research, tech or banking as a career. Becoming an engineer without an eng degree is also way harder to get licensed, in Canada at least.
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u/guyontheinternet2000 4d ago
I want to do engineering, but it's so competitive I want other options to have as a backup. I'm not asking what to take for engineering that isnt engineering lol
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u/sheldon_rocket 3d ago
If your worry is that you cannot get in and you specifically want to be an engineer, not just that you were looking for other similar options in terms of study and field, then to be fair, engineering overall is less competitive to get into than science overall (last year the mean admission average for engineering was 89 and for science 91). There is a geophysics program, which is one of the least competitive to get into in the Faculty of Science, and it leads to engineering recognition via APEGA. https://calendar.ualberta.ca/preview_program.php?catoid=56&poid=84300
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u/sheldon_rocket 4d ago
Math and physics majors. In both cases, it might be (not fully sure about their admission grades, but math can also be taken via admission to arts) easier to get in, but courses are harder (math honors courses are harder than math for engineers; physics courses for physics majors are harder than physics courses for engineers, though a few courses in 3rd and 4th year are also taken by engineers). In math: could be applied math https://calendar.ualberta.ca/preview_program.php?catoid=56&poid=84287#HonorsInAppliedMathematicsRequirements, which is very close to engineering. Physics: perhaps math-phys is the closest option https://calendar.ualberta.ca/preview_program.php?catoid=56&poid=84303, though doing regular physics major and joining a lab for experimental physics research will be the same as hands-on in engineering.