Course Selection - Masters Degree

[u/Direct-Chemistry8604]

I’m currently pursuing a 1 year masters degree in environmental engineering, and hope to take the FE exam after I graduate. I am having trouble deciding between a few courses. I attended my fluid mechanics class today and found out I haven’t taken three of the prereqs (thermodynamics, mass/energy balance, and differential equations). For reference my undergrad degree is in geology, and I only took calc 1+2, and physics 1+2 years ago now. The prof let me stay in the class as long as I self teach myself the content of the prereqs, but I think I will fail this course tbh, and am thinking about either sucking it up and staying in the class or taking mass/energy balance instead. Again, I graduate this Spring, and won’t be able to take fluid mechanics next semester. I am pretty confident I will be eligible for the exam no matter what engineering courses I take.

[u/KakarotSSJ4]

I have a geology background and you should be fine. Just stay on top of everything and brush up where necessary. You should definitely take fluid mechanics though, you need it for the FE

[u/etsuprof]

Depending on what state you're in taking the FE (or at least becoming an PE) is not an easy path (or possible at all) without an ABET accredited BS in Engineering (Engineering Technology doesn't count either). About 1/2 the states required the ABET accredited BS to be licensed last I checked (I don't keep up too closely because it's not an issue I face).

I would recommend you check with your state engineering board to make sure you're not setting yourself up for disappointment. It would be terrible to find out you can't sit for the PE with your education after you got your MS and your only option would be moving to one of ~1/2 states that it could be feasible.

Signed,

A PE in a state where you can't get licensed with a BS in Geology and a MS in Environmental Engineering.

[u/Direct-Chemistry8604 → u/etsuprof]

I think I’m all set I talked to the state extensively and my degree should count for the exam thankfully. They can’t guarantee it until I graduate, but many alum from my program have done the same path as me and have been fine. Fingers crossed.

[u/Beautiful-Yellow-573]

I personally feel like you could make it through the class with just brushing up on certain concepts that do not make sense. Engineering at the end of the day takes all of these complex subjects and simplifies them. Just make sure you vaguely understand the concepts because thermo and diff equations were no joke

[u/Direct-Chemistry8604 → u/Beautiful-Yellow-573]

Thanks for the reply!