Update: June 20

Any type of engineer has to know loads of math and physics.

I was just speaking of physics and careers in general, not as it related to engineering, but yes, very true.

Baseball_Coaster_Freak said:
lol i defintely understand that engineering is a must, but what specific area is a must...ie. aeronautical, mechanical, etc.

Mechanical Engineering is a Must, some structural and civil would also help. Physics is pretty much a pre-requisite of most engineering courses anyway.

Even after you have that under your belt, you will need a very large amount of luck, there are not very many openings in the industry. Out of all of the people I know who have tried to get into this, Only one of them actually got in and it was all a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
*** Edited 6/27/2006 8:21:05 PM UTC by j2k95sunfire***

The majors you want to focus on are, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, and Possibly a Physics Major. But mostly the two engineering degrees. The path to get into any job is workign towards the correct degree and also taking the correct steps to get there. Some of these steps include a good summer job or internship, and much extra study in your respective fields. Take TONS of math and physics classes. I dont think you understand how much math and physics there is in engineering untill you have gotten there. So work hard, keep your grades up, and use every opportunity you can to get a great summer job or internship in the direction of structural and mechanical design. Make sure you go to a University that has a good Co-Op program. By using this you can get into alot of internships that you normally wouldnt just be able to apply randomly and get. Other than that just cross your fingers and try your best, because there isnt much demand for coaster design. How many are built a year? Its going to be a tough field to get into, but just work your butt off and you may just get there.

Anyways, back on topic.... from what I understand, the swan pond is again being drained as of yesterday...

If it has been drained I hope someone gets some pics of it.

I don't know that it's been completely drained yet, just that it was being drained.

Well, remember also that you could know all the math in the 'verse, but what I think what stands out more is the ability to actually come up with good layouts and intense rides, not n00b crap like a lot people make in games these days (from what I've seen)

Edit: My interents real slow... picture update this weekend?
*** Edited 6/27/2006 9:48:12 PM UTC by Screamomatic***

If everything goes as planned, I'll have an update by Friday.

The first person who asks on Thursday why they're not up yet gets banned for life.

Thanks Walt, these updates help out ppl who cant get to the point everyday.

You serious Walt? Not that I plan on asking for an update tomorrow, but are you serious?

I think is serious Shawn.

Dont mess with Walt. :)

Live in fear.... ;)

Hey thanks everyone for their off topic posts about roller coasters as a career and i will definitely take it to heart. With one year left of highschool and AP Calc/AP Physics courses to take, it sounds like, at least from you guys, that i'm at least headed in the right direction!!!

Thanks again everyone!!! :)

Sorry to change the subject again guys...feel free to smite me ;)

Steve4Hockey...thanks for all the specific insight to internships. But i've got a question for ya...do u think aeronautics (along with the mechanical and structural engineering) would be beneficial in this roller coaster field, after all, most maneuvers of roller coasters are based on flight maneuvers (specifically the Immelman). Just a thought.

*** Edited 6/28/2006 4:55:42 AM UTC by Baseball_Coaster_Freak***

Yeah no problem. I graduate this year, and i know how daunting of a task it is when youre looking at starting in at college, because honestly i dont think anyone really has a clue what they are doing as they leave high school. Dont get discouraged, at some point youll be sitting in a college class and something will click for you. I know for me that moment was my Statics class where we were examining the structural forces behind complex bridge designs, and i realized i was doign exactly what i wanted to be doing. I do not think aeronautical engineering classes will really benefit you too much, because most of those classes will have bits of things that deal with coasters in them, however its not exactly where you want to be heading if you are really serious about coaster design (although the money if you dont become a coaster designer is pretty nice, starting around 70,000 a year right out of college) Aeronautical Engineering is actually a very large focus on lifting body design, such as wings and other types of lifting bodies, along with an intensive look at engines. Both of which youre really not going to be looking at for a coaster. Unlike what most people think Engineering isnt about design nowadays as it is about redesign. Its not so much about what can you create out of scratch, its about how you can make existing things better, stronger, faster, lighter, cheaper, and more reliably.

Youre right on course with the classes you are taking, just make sure you get into a great engineering school. Examples of excellent ones around Ohio area are, Case Western, OSU, Penn State. I personally go to U of Toledo, Good school for engineering, but it doesent have the prestige of some other schools like those mentioned above for lookign great on a resume. Heres a link of some of the best engineering schools. Why not shoot for MIT? http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/eng/brief/engrank_brief.php

Some courses you will really need for coaster design today are, Physics, Calculus (probably up to 3 or 4), Strength of Materials, Advanced CAD, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics, and Mechanical Design. Keep up the good work and if anyone ever has any more questions on engineering in college send me an IM, dont tie up the boards. Later guys!