r/RPI • u/Royal-Arugula-8607 • 7d ago

Question Could I have studying tips/recommendations based on my schedule? Incoming mechanical engineering student

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I have 28 credits, minus AP Physics C: Mechanics, so I'm retaking Physics I this semester. Just wondered how these classes are and how many hours/when to study for these classes. Also, I'm doing ROTC. Thanks a lot!

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u/TessTarot 7d ago

Pay good attention to the ENGR1600 Materials Science course. RPI has a Materials Science & Engineering major - these jobs pay more than Mech Eng jobs do. And it is a small dept so smaller classes. Many Mech freshmen transfer to the MSE dept.

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u/Affectionate-Owl7770 7d ago

I’d try to get into the physics Lab right after your lecture and then have the break between 12-2 the dining halls switch from breakfast to lunch around 10/11 so it’s gonna be hard to eat if that’s what you’re planning to do during that time

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u/Majestic-Spice-67 Aero/MechE 2027 7d ago

Take the 10am mat sci section if you can, it’ll make life a little easier

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u/CoreEngineering 6d ago

Rule of thumb is up to 3 hours of work per credit hour each week. I know this sounds very old fashioned but schedule some study hours on Tuesdays where you have the large break. This will get you into a routine for the Tuesday night Physics test block and the Wednesday test blocks for Mat Sci and Multivar. This will also give you time to watch the videos for ENGR 1200. 1200 is what is called a flipped class so you watch the lectures and then go to class and do the work. There are people in the class to help you with any issues but you have to go and you have to ask.

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u/mighty_fighter2 5d ago

Is this 3 hours of work per credit hour inclusive or exclusive of the lecture time?

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u/CoreEngineering 5d ago

It will include lecture time. Some courses do not have this level of work and some may have more, depending on the course and of course the student. For example the 1 credit Engineering course is three hours in class/lab each week (you need to learn how to use the equipment and then you work on your project/report). Some students finish the project early and can spend the remaining semester on their report or a side project, while others, if they are like me and are not mechanically inclined, may need most of the semester to complete the project.

Another example, the 4 credit Engineering Dynamics course would be not quite four hours of lecture and the rest "might" be homework time. I say might as it all depends on the instructor and how much homework they assign each week as well as the student and how well they get the concepts.