Could Less Math Make Better Engineers?

More liberal arts is a plus, but less math is not. Whenever I am asked to assist fellow engineers with technical matters, it is nearly always a mathematical problem. I really don't want to see more engineers not able to cope with math as soon as it goes beyond basic...

I am not a fan of Differential Equations or Calc 3, but they're vital for so many other classes. I have a hard time seeing how cutting those would help engineering majors. Even with computer controlled systems, engineers always need a backup plan for solving problems.

I really don't think that forcing an engineering student to take more liberal arts courses would help anything. I mean how are they going to socialize if they're skipping that class all the time (I mean that's what I did it, forgive me 'History of the Novel')? Besides, engineers can be social, I've seen them do it plenty. It's just a matter of developing their leadership skills more than anything.

I don't think that by trading math classes with liberal arts classes is the solution. The heart of engineering is problem solving - so the program should focus on providing enough background/theory/tools to arm the students to solve real-world problems, and provide the students the opportunity to succintly present their ideas. To me, the teamwork/relationship dimension of our profession can be fostered by encouraging students to be active in student organizations - AIChE comes to mind.

I highly enjoyed the elective courses I had, though I did have few. The issue is that I was one of 5 people who showed up to the 25 person courses. There isn't much interaction possible if the liberal arts majors skip all their classes. I never really understood that - I loved the classes and went to every single one!

That's a great response to this. While I think it's good to expose people to new things, I also feel that there's a limit to what one can achieve--personalities are often pretty much what they are. That said, you're absolutely right--a lot of engineers aren't the social misfits that stereotypes would make them out to be!

There is an option offered by many liberal arts colleges called a 3-2 program in which the engineering-minded student studies for 3 years at the liberal arts college, obtaining a BA in a scientific area while completing the liberal arts core courses and many of the engineering core courses, followed by 2 years at an engineering school focused essentially on the technical courses required for the engineering major. The first 3 years, though very rigorous, is at a school with a totally different atmosphere than the engineering school - liberal arts schools are generally smaller with self-exploration and intellectual interaction more broadly encouraged. Here, the student has the opportunity to "find one's self" - generally a necessity of most college kids. The engineering school is then usually easier - study habits are in place as well as a greater self-confidence. The course work is also slightly lighter, particularly since the engineering degree is completed in 5 years, and the student ends up with two degrees - a BA from the liberal arts school and a BS from the engineering school. From personal experience, this can be the best of both worlds.