UL or Trinity for engineering?

amymak

I'm absolutely certain I want to do engineering. I adore maths, particularily solving problems and I love the type of stuff we do in Applied Maths.
But I'm torn as to where I want to study it. I've narrowed it down to Trinity or Limerick.

Limerick has the coop, which is brilliant. They give you lots of opportunities to study abroad not just in Europe. (I'd love to study abroad, but it would have to be in a place where they speak English as I've spent 6 years dying to dispense of foreign languages.)
They also have plenty of student accomodation, which is definitely where I want to stay. (Stayed in it for a week last summer for math camp and it was really really nice.)
The main problem is the fact that that you have to choose which area of engineering you want to go into before you do the course, and I don't know which one I want to do yet, I'd really like to try them out and see which one suits.

In Trinity on the other hand, you do general engineering for 2 years, which would allow me to get a feel for which one I enjoy the most.
Also it's in Dublin, which is where I'd really love to study. In addition, it does seem to have a better reputation, but from what I've heard, that doesn't make any difference.
However, it doesn't do work experience, and the only studying abroad that's offered is to places in Europe where I'd have to speak a foreign language.
Also, accomodation is really competitive, so there's a good chance I'd end up in digs, which isn't fun from what I've heard.

So sorry that this is so long, but does anyone have any advice?

I'd say your best bet is really to do a Mechanical Engineering course, which will give you the mathematical basics which every branch of Engineering (Biomech, Aero, Civil, Mfg etc) will require. You can always specialise at graduate level with a Mech Eng degree, whereas any other Eng degree kinda locks you into that specialisation.

amymak

You basically do all those three together, so if I knew it was one of those I wanted to do it would be fine. However the trouble is that I might want to do electronic and computer engineering or manufacturing engineering, which are very different courses.

L

amymak wrote: »

You basically do all those three together, so if I knew it was one of those I wanted to do it would be fine. However the trouble is that I might want to do electronic and computer engineering or manufacturing engineering, which are very different courses.

Manufacturing Engineering is really just Mech with a funny hat (extremely similar course load -especially in TCD). Electronic/Electrical and Computer engineering are the ones you need to watch picking a course without explicit content in.

starlit

I'd opt for UL or UCD. I hear UCD has an excellent Engineering department and good course. Say all the engineering courses are all general first and then students pick their main area say mechanical, electronic etc depending what area of engineering students want to focus on.

TCD I am sure is good but think TCD is a better uni to go to for the Arts, Science, Law or Business courses. That's my opinion!

Dhoff

Hi

At the end of Jan 2012, I am starting as an Assistant Lab Concrete Technician at Trinity College.

If there is anyone out there that, has studied Civil Engineering in Trinity and could advise me on what concrete tests and sampling procedures you undertook during studies, that would be great. I want to research as much material as possible before I start so, please forward me any advise on what I should be researching.

My mentor will be DR Alan O Connor and also a Professor in charge of the lab..I think that professor is english and he is in his mid 50's (sorry for the bad description but I haven't met him yet)

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and if you reply a further big thank you......If you require any further info please dont hesitate to ask...:)

Dhoff

Hi

At the end of Jan 2012, I am starting as an Assistant Lab Concrete Technician at Trinity College.

If there is anyone out there that, has studied Civil Engineering in Trinity and could advise me on what concrete tests and sampling procedures you undertook during studies, that would be great. I want to research as much material as possible before I start so, please forward me any advise on what I should be researching.

My mentor will be DR Alan O Connor and also a Professor in charge of the lab..I think that professor is english and he is in his mid 50's (sorry for the bad description but I haven't met him yet)

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and if you reply a further big thank you......If you require any further info please dont hesitate to ask...:)

professore

Internationally Trinity seems to be the only university anyone has heard of - and believe me - perception is reality.

Otherwise it doesn't matter that much, either choice is good.

Trader1991

professore wrote: »

Internationally Trinity seems to be the only university anyone has heard of - and believe me - perception is reality.

Otherwise it doesn't matter that much, either choice is good.

Mabe your correct, but then again you get the internship(coop) in UL which you will more than likely get a job from.

ned14

You could go with Engineering Choice in UL. Don't have to pick which type of Engineering to do until 2nd year. I'm doing Mech at the moment, which I chose at the very beginning. Though even after 1st year, we were free to transfer between Aeronautical, Biomedical & Mech as 1st year was the same for everyone.

The opportunity to do Co-Op in UL is fantastic. Having 8 months experience in industry under your belt by the time you graduate jumps off the page of your CV. Plus, a lot of people go back to where they did Co-Op straight after graduation as employers are more than happy to take back people they are familiar with. (Assuming they liked you)

amymak

ned14 wrote: »

You could go with Engineering Choice in UL. Don't have to pick which type of Engineering to do until 2nd year. I'm doing Mech at the moment, which I chose at the very beginning. Though even after 1st year, we were free to transfer between Aeronautical, Biomedical & Mech as 1st year was the same for everyone.

Actually you don't, you pick a branch the month after you start, which is actually the primary reason why I'm not going there. I just really don't know whether I'm more suited to the mechanical or electronic side of things and I won't know until I try them.