NTU- Material Science Engineering

[sil3nt]

Hi Guys,
Wish to sough advice from Material Science Engineering seniors who have been through this course. 1) What is the rigor of this course? Is it very demanding in the sense that you have to stay back in school everyday to mug/ do research? 2) Will there be alot of lab sessions? 3) If I am weak in physics but strong in Mathematics but still okay in Chemistry, would this course still be suitable for me? I read on MSE website and it seems that from year 2 onwards materials covered would be relatively new and lesser focus on physics? Correct me if Im wrong? 4) What is student life like in NTU MSE? Is it very competitive? or would there be 'work-life' balance? 5) are the professors approachable for help?

Thanks in advance for any help......

 

[sil3nt]

This is not a good course. Any other engineering pwn this big time. The only industry that take you is semi con. Other than that can become insurance agents or jobs that require a general degree.

Hey, thanks so much for your reply May I ask, are you currently/were a student in this course?
Also, I read on the undergraduate prospectus that one of its 1st class honors graduate managed to get a position in OCBC and not only that but in the esteemed management associate program? Is this a fairy tale painted to attract students or the reality is that Materials engineering is really a worthless degree that has limited career prospects?

 

[FrostWurm]

Also, I read on the undergraduate prospectus that one of its 1st class honors graduate managed to get a position in OCBC and not only that but in the esteemed management associate program? Is this a fairy tale painted to attract students or the reality is that Materials engineering is really a worthless degree that has limited career prospects?

No matter how you see it, it is generally accepted that ceteris paribus, engineering degrees have more career prospects than arts/humanities degrees. So it's not really worthless, but just that some other engine degrees may be more valued that materials science engine.

Regarding the management associate thing, I'm pretty sure the top students of any course will usually have such opportunities.

 

[Wdgness]

Hi Guys,
Wish to sough advice from Material Science Engineering seniors who have been through this course. 1) What is the rigor of this course? Is it very demanding in the sense that you have to stay back in school everyday to mug/ do research? 2) Will there be alot of lab sessions? 3) If I am weak in physics but strong in Mathematics but still okay in Chemistry, would this course still be suitable for me? I read on MSE website and it seems that from year 2 onwards materials covered would be relatively new and lesser focus on physics? Correct me if Im wrong? 4) What is student life like in NTU MSE? Is it very competitive? or would there be 'work-life' balance? 5) are the professors approachable for help?

Thanks in advance for any help......

MSE is significantly less stressful, difficult and competitive as compared to EEE or MAE; the school is more accomodating and professors generally nice too. The physics we learn is not too difficult, i personally didn't take physics in A lvls and found it all right. I agree with the limited job prospects; most pple are not engineers after they graduate.

 

[sil3nt]

No matter how you see it, it is generally accepted that ceteris paribus, engineering degrees have more career prospects than arts/humanities degrees. So it's not really worthless, but just that some other engine degrees may be more valued that materials science engine.

Regarding the management associate thing, I'm pretty sure the top students of any course will usually have such opportunities.

MSE is significantly less stressful, difficult and competitive as compared to EEE or MAE; the school is more accomodating and professors generally nice too. The physics we learn is not too difficult, i personally didn't take physics in A lvls and found it all right. I agree with the limited job prospects; most pple are not engineers after they graduate.

Hey Wdgness and FrostWurm, thanks for your inputs. So Material Science prospects are not so bleak afterall?

 

[FrostWurm]

Hey Wdgness and FrostWurm, thanks for your inputs. So Material Science prospects are not so bleak afterall?

I can't give an informed opinion since I'm not from the programme, but it is definitely more specialised compared to traditional engine degrees like mech and civil. May or may not be a good thing.

 

[Wdgness]

Hey Wdgness and FrostWurm, thanks for your inputs. So Material Science prospects are not so bleak afterall?

Engineering wise, the things we study have little application to industries in sg so prospects not as good as some other engine courses, but its still okay imo unless ur honours cui. Can be treated as a general engine degree. If ure good enough to do post grad there is huge money there though.

 

[Apple_Ice]

Hey Wdgness and FrostWurm, thanks for your inputs. So Material Science prospects are not so bleak afterall?

As long as your results is good (1st class), you have a bright prospect regardless of the course you are in.. Having said that, most people (>80%) can't achieve that.. Me too entered as a freshie before and I know how ppl think they can score like those sec/jc days.. It's not possible to most..

Anyway, I think the semi-con industry is pretty competive as well.. I am from chem eng and many seniors work in the semi-con industry for the process side..

Try to get at least a 2nd upper which is acheiveable to most..

 

[sil3nt]

As long as your results is good (1st class), you have a bright prospect regardless of the course you are in.. Having said that, most people (>80%) can't achieve that.. Me too entered as a freshie before and I know how ppl think they can score like those sec/jc days.. It's not possible to most..

Anyway, I think the semi-con industry is pretty competive as well.. I am from chem eng and many seniors work in the semi-con industry for the process side..

Try to get at least a 2nd upper which is acheiveable to most..

Hey Apple_ice, In a cohort, can you give me a rough gauge of how many people are able to achieve at least a 2nd upper?

 

[Wdgness]

Hey Apple_ice, In a cohort, can you give me a rough gauge of how many people are able to achieve at least a 2nd upper?

around 30%

 

[sil3nt]

Icic thanks for your input, Wdgness.

 

[navnav21]

ntu material science engine

Hi peeps,

need some advise on whether i should do MSE.

i wanted to get into ntu business and major in banking n finance.
but i was offered only MSE. I want to work in a bank or some area around there. does anyone know if i can still work in a bank as an investment banker or finance sector if i do MSE. even if i can, what are the chances can i get in. what do i have to do to get these kind of jobs. cause i honestly dont see myself doing any technical job. please lay your input. thx

 

[Wdgness]

Hi peeps,

need some advise on whether i should do MSE.

i wanted to get into ntu business and major in banking n finance.
but i was offered only MSE. I want to work in a bank or some area around there. does anyone know if i can still work in a bank as an investment banker or finance sector if i do MSE. even if i can, what are the chances can i get in. what do i have to do to get these kind of jobs. cause i honestly dont see myself doing any technical job. please lay your input. thx

Some inputs from me (a MSE grad)
1. Trust me, you do not know what you want to do yet. Make your decisions with an open mind.
2. With stellar grades/top leadership positions/external portfolios such as personal investments or setting up businesses, you may get into MA programmes or positions in banks. This applies to all courses, not just MSE. Probably less than 5 per cohort fits this criteria since MSE does not take in the most outstanding students.
3. If you die die must work in a bank, with normal grades, the only viable jobs in a bank would be those with relatively poor prospects and pay. IMO you would be better off getting a private degree in finance.
4. If at the end of 4 years you can't see youself doing a techical job (like me), there are plenty of non-techincal jobs that pays well available.
5. No offence but investment banking is not a job that anyone can do. You should not focus too much on it.

If you have any queries feel free to PM me.