Anyone do it? Working on it?

I started a thread in Tech Talk on it: http://brentroad.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=561150

I'm leaning pretty hard toward doing it. I'm wondering what the course load is like during the summer. I'm thinking of taking two classes, MAE/ECE535 and/or ECE549. I'm currently unemployed, but i'm looking hard for a job so i'll hopefully/likely be employed during much of the semester... Is that doing too much?

3/17/2009 11:54:26 AM

Well if it's a choice between masters of Engineering or Masters of Science in Engineering, you should just go a head and start and you can make the choice later.

3/17/2009 12:10:01 PM

more like LOL: Masters of Engineering

3/17/2009 12:54:01 PM

Theyre the exact same classes as regular grad school. Its the same as a non thesis masters you would do on campus.

3/17/2009 1:54:12 PM

^Unless you want a Ph.D., do the non-thesis.

3/17/2009 2:00:20 PM

if you wanted a phd, why not just do the phd...

3/17/2009 3:19:38 PM

535 is not that easy.. u'll have to work really hard

3/17/2009 8:45:15 PM

If you just graduated (i.e. you are not a working professional going back to school after several years and are not working full time) do an MS. It is well worth it. It's a challenge, but much more rewarding.

Non-thesis masters are geared more towards working professionals wishing to learn more about specific items within their field and have no need for research and are working full time.

3/17/2009 9:43:00 PM

yeh, i graduated 5 years ago and have been working since. i also plan to get a new job in a different city so the distance ed would be great.

Wickerman, did you take? summer or fall/spring? distance ed or in class?

3/17/2009 10:34:39 PM

yeh, I'd definitely recommend a non-research degree then. good luck.

3/18/2009 8:19:04 AM

its tough as shit. i started it in the fall, taking Polymer Science Engineering (material that I am familiar with) CHE543 and it was hard as SHIT. especially with working full time as an engineer, its tough to find the time to dedicate what you need to watching the lessons online and doing homework. its tougher than sitting in an actual class.

3/31/2009 4:02:55 PM

Yep, online engineering classes are always harder than regular classes. I took CHE 543 last summer and it wasn't to bad. The first few hw's were long but after that it wasn't to bad. The hard part is having to watch lectures online and do hw on them with no help. I got an A- in 543 and worked fairly hard.

If you are working I don't know how you could do more than one class a semester. Two would be extremely hard to pull of if they are engineering classes.

3/31/2009 9:10:50 PM

For an EE, 535 isn't that bad....as long as you have a decent knowledge of magnetics and motors, etc.

I know a few Mechanical Engineers who took it and thought it was pretty difficult.

Overall its a great class though, and Buckner is a good professor I thought. Never taken 549, but heard it wasnt to bad.

3/31/2009 9:18:51 PM

^I'm glad to see you say that.

I really want to focus on mechatronics and i see a lot of really interesting classes in MAE so that would be my concentration. But i do have EE/CPE degrees, but it was tough for me. My GPA isn't super hot so i need to take a couple PBS classes before they let me into MoE which is fair.

So now i'm thinking about which class to take first. First of all its imperative that I pretty much ace it. Secondly, it'd be great if it fit into my overall goal/focus of mechatronics.

I really liked Dr. Steer's sample lecture for his ECE549 RF Design class. He seemed like he'd be a really good and helpful professor so i'm leaning that way to start things off right. RF Design isn't exactly in my focus, but it would be interesting.

ECE535 Design of Electromechanical Systems sounds like a great topic and is right up my alley in that there is some hands on lab work and it is a bit mechanically oriented. I just wonder how challenging it will be so i guess i'm looking for input there.

4/13/2009 3:54:35 PM

Disclaimer: I used to work for Engineering Online so take anything I say with a grain of salt.

The difference between and Masters of and a Masters of Science at NC State is typically whether or not you have to do a thesis. In all other regards the distance Masters programs are the same as the on campus programs, same classes, same instructors, same work and are MUCH more highly regarded than Univ. of Phoenix.
Is it harder to do a distance degree, I would say so. You have to be self motivated and you have to have the time. Many students drop classes because they are working, kids acting up, significant other having problems, ... If you don't have a reliable 10-15 hours a week in your schedule that you can devote to the class, don't bother.

As far as the Masters of Engineering Program. This is meant to be a "customized", interdisciplinary degree, for example, you might want to take both EE and MAE concentrations. Unless you want to cross majors, you are better off applying for the degree program in your particular area like the Masters of EE or Masters of MAE. These will more acurately reflect your competence in a particular area on a resume.

4/14/2009 1:47:09 PM

thanks for the input!

I registered for ECE549. *gulp*

4/15/2009 4:31:00 PM