How Important Are Programming and Chemistry for Engineering Students?

[Blank101]

How necesary is Programing C for a civil engineer or all engineers?

Why do colleges require some programing for engineers. Also for a civil engineer, how important is GENERAL CHEMESTRY 2, since is not mandatory at the University i'll be transfering, but it is a transferable course along with chem 1!



Just to not start another thread.

I proudly can say that i recently developed an interested for knowing the theory behind mathematics. Sadly i develope it just after finishing with my precalculus class, but never is too late. Before it was all about remembering proccedures that hardly make sense, now is much easier remembering the stuff, and i enjoy it more. So my question is are there any good books that can facilitate me or answer me the why of things? I'am in the middle of Trig, but i really want to catch up on precalc which is mostly algebra!


Don't get me wrong i know precalc, and a good part of it makes sense, but I'm afraid to forget the parts that don't make much sense, even though i know how to do it!

Thanx

 

[symbolipoint]

Blank101,

Engineers and scientists usually have many decisions and calculations to perform, many which use several steps and often lengthy calculations, sometimes requiring particular levels of accuracy. Computer programs are often extremely useful for accomplishing these decisions and calculations. Somebody must create these programs, so an engineer of scientist is usually a person to do it. Whether the programmer uses C, C++, or some other language depends on what is available to him or what language he knows how to use. You might simply believe that if the scientist or engineer needs a program, then he could just buy a suitable program; but realistically, such computer programs might or might not exist, or might be more expensive than what the company would want to pay, ... or who knows for what other reasons, the person who wants a program might want to write the program himself, to do exactly what he wants the program to do. Consider, if he could buy an expensive powerful program which can do many many complicated things, the cost of buying such a program not not be efficient; while the person could spend a few hours writing a much smaller (and much less expensive) program on his own.

Really, having computer-programming skill can be a very very good thing.

 

[Mene]

I can provide some insight into the importance of programming and chemistry for engineers.

Programming in C is a valuable skill for all engineers, regardless of their specific field. It is a widely used programming language in the engineering industry and is often used for low-level programming of hardware and operating systems. Knowing how to program in C can also help engineers better understand the inner workings of computer systems and how to optimize their designs.

As for chemistry, it is a fundamental science that is crucial for understanding the properties and behavior of materials and substances. This is especially important for civil engineers who work with a variety of materials in their designs, such as concrete, steel, and soil. General chemistry courses provide a solid foundation for understanding the basic principles of chemistry and how they apply to engineering.

Colleges require programming and chemistry courses for engineers because they are essential skills for success in the field. In today's world, technology plays a significant role in engineering, and knowing how to program and understand chemical properties is crucial for solving complex problems and designing innovative solutions.

In terms of specific courses, while it may not be mandatory at the university you are transferring to, I would still highly recommend taking General Chemistry 2. It will build upon the concepts learned in Chem 1 and provide a more in-depth understanding of chemical reactions and properties. Additionally, having a good understanding of chemistry can also be beneficial in other engineering courses, such as materials science and environmental engineering.

For your interest in mathematics, there are many great books that can help you understand the theory behind the concepts. Some suggestions are "A Mathematician's Lament" by Paul Lockhart, "The Joy of x" by Steven Strogatz, and "How Not to Be Wrong" by Jordan Ellenberg. Additionally, websites such as Khan Academy and MIT OpenCourseWare offer free resources for learning math concepts at your own pace.

Lastly, don't worry about forgetting the parts of precalculus that don't make sense to you. As you continue to learn and apply mathematical concepts, things will start to click and make more sense. Keep practicing and seeking out resources to deepen your understanding. Good luck on your journey!