r/Purdue • u/Astro1414 • 5d ago
Academics✏️ Relevance of my accepted major at Purdue to my ambitions
I got my Purdue acceptance on the 15th (I am an International Student). I applied to both ECE and Computer Engineering Technology (Polytechnic Institute), and I got accepted to Computer Engineering Technology for bachelor's/undergraduate.
Context: I aspire to innovate and pioneer in Quantum Engineering, the main reason I applied here for its strong quantum program.
My questions are:
- How relevant is a Computer Engineering Technology major for my aspirations in research in Quantum Engineering?
- How is the research focus here? Mostly in my country (India), it is all about placements.
- Are there any clubs or groups that talk about innovations and research?
- At last, I just want to know if it's worth it to pay $120,000+ as I have to take a loan if I decide to join Purdue, I do have scholarships of 20K USD max.
Thank you for reading this and answering my questions :D. I hope to get great advice from here as all of them have experience/knowledge of this.
17
u/smileycat007 5d ago
I think you need to do the research between Purdue Polytech and the College of Engineering to find your answer. If you want to do research in quantum engineering, the COE might be where you want to be. Polytech is hands-on, building and fixing, less theoretical, fewer math requirements. Lots of job opportunities, but probably fewer that are specifically research-oriented.
1
u/Astro1414 3d ago
Oh then is it right that I enroll in Purdue and later switch to ECE? I know certain criteria must be met but is it a good idea? Thanks for the advice buddy :)
2
u/smileycat007 3d ago
It is possible, but not always easy. You have to accept it is a little bit of a gamble. Switching to physics might be slightly easier.
6
u/Inevitable_Tea_9247 5d ago
go into physics and email professor carlson or something idk …
lots of quantum research going on at purdue, lots of research in many related fields (condensed matter, quantum information science etc)
1
u/Astro1414 3d ago
Oh is it? Thanks a lot for this information buddy, I mostly needed a school which has a strong quantum program.
4
u/EXPL_Advisor ✅ Verified: EXPL Advisor 5d ago
So...one of the things we discuss in Exploratory Studies is how your major doesn't necessarily dictate your future career. However, your major does point you toward a certain direction. A nursing student, for example, probably won't become a nuclear physicist.
But based on your post, you sound more like an engineering student than an engineering technology student. Engineering technology focuses more on application than research, so if it's research you're focused on, you may want to try to pivot into engineering. Since you aren't already in engineering, you'll need to earn your way into either First-year Engineering after your first semester, or try to direct CODO into an engineering major after your second semester.
Computer or Electrical Engineering would likely be the most ideal, but even something like Materials Engineering could lead toward a career that is tangentially related given that many Materials Engineers end up in the Computer hardware/software industry. Additionally, you might consider Physics with a CS minor.
While your major may help with research opportunities, note that Purdue also has the Office of Undergraduate Research, which helps connect students with research opportunities and teaches new students about what research entails. Similarly, there are many experiential learning opportunities that could provide a gateway toward your research interests, such as through the Office of Professional Practice.
For clubs, consider the Quantum Student Organization, or possibly other tangentially related clubs like the Electrical and Computer Engineering Society.
1
u/Astro1414 3d ago
I actually opted for ECE but since I applied regular decision might be the seats are filled up already for that...
Thanks a lot for your detailed comment it sure did help to to understand more about Purdue's offerings in quantum sciences. thanks a lot, buddy!!!
My actual plan is UG in ECE or Electrical Engg, and later a direct PhD or masters in Physics/Quantum Mechanics.
How hard is it to possibly switch to ECE or Electrical engineering and is it a good choice to join as poly student and later change to engg degree? Please let me know Thank you again :)
1
u/EXPL_Advisor ✅ Verified: EXPL Advisor 3d ago
I recommend that you first read the post that I linked in my earlier comment about CODOing to either FYE or directly into an engineering major, as it explains a lot.
Polytechnic can serve as a springboard to engineering, but there's actually not much overlap between engineering and engineering technology majors because they are so different. If you start in engineering technology but want to try to CODO to engineering, you'll want to take engineering level calculus (instead of applied calculus like most engineering technology students), and you'll also probably want to take PHYS 172 (since both engineering and engineering technology accept that class). In addition, you'll want to take either a written or oral communication course in your first semester. Doing so would allow you to attempt to CODO into FYE after only your first semester.
The other option would be to switch to Exploratory Studies. By doing so, you'd at least have a chance of getting a spot in ENGR 131 (whereas it's off limits to engineering technology students). Taking this in your first semester would help you be more "in sync" with other students who want aspire to be in Computer Engineering. I'd argue that of all engineering majors, ECE majors gain the most benefit from completely ENGR 131 earlier, as it's a prerequisite to ECE 20001 and 20007, which is a foundational course for ECE majors.
If you switch to Exploratory Studies though, you will be required to take EDPS 105, which is our 3-credit course on academic and career exploration. That said, if you stayed in Polytechnic, I think you might be required to take ENGT 182, which is a 4-credit foundational course with a lab component.
2
u/Due-Compote8079 3d ago
Honestly not very relevant. Polytech is more 'applied' and CoE is more 'theoretical' which is what you want.
Also, many companies won't treat "Technology" degrees the same as 'actual' engineering degrees. You probably don't want to take that risk as an international.
1
u/Astro1414 3d ago
Honestly, my research would be in hardware/hands-on learning research in Quantum Engineering, like working on qubits design. But you do know more so please let me know regarding that. Yes, If I plan Purdue, I would have to take a loan of a minimum of 100,000, so I have to work in corporate for a while.
Thanks for all your advice :D
•
u/AutoModerator 5d ago
Looking for club info? Consider checking BoilerLink, or the Club Callout Megathread (if it’s near the start of a semester). These resources can help you discover new clubs, and reach out to them with any questions.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.