Top 10 Hardest Engineering Majors | 2023

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Choosing a profession in engineering is quite intriguing. But many times, many folks are scared of the hardest engineering major.

They see it as a no-go area.’ Because of this, they withdraw from this career path.

The fact is engineering is a fascinating and challenging discipline. Engineers employ math and physics to tackle common issues.

There are tens of distinct specialties in his field. Some are easier to understand than others.

However, you need to understand that it becomes easier if you’re passionate about a particular major and input the required hard work.

If you wish to know how to identify the hardest engineering major and how you can excel and bag a degree, then you might want to read on cos the secret is embedded here.

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Why Should I Study Engineering Courses?

There are several reasons why you should study engineering. This field offers countless benefits, including job satisfaction, financial stability, schedule flexibility, professional growth, intellectual development, and many more.

Another reason you should consider studying this is that Engineers are constantly in high demand. But you should know that this job is difficult.

However, the advantage outweighs its difficulty. To illustrate, here are some of the reasons why you should consider studying this profession:

  • You will obtain problem-solving abilities.
  • This profession gives prestige
  • It offers professional success
  • This career path provides financial security
  • This career path provides a better platform for becoming a CEO
  • Engineers are employable
  • This career field offers professional success
  • Engineers are essential to the survival of the globe
  • Engineers have a high level of work satisfaction
  • You will find an excellent major here
  • As an engineer, you may choose to study while working, travel the world, and contribute to society

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Top 10 Hardest Engineering Majors in 2023

Indeed, there are no easy engineering majors. All courses in this field are challenging. But hey, this shouldn’t scare you out. Those courses you consider easy still have some folks failing them.


So, no course is challenging for you, so long as you’re passionate about it and your mind is in it.

However, we aren’t outlining the hardest majors to throw you off. No, all we’re after is that you are prepared well enough before venturing into this career path.

You will find below some of the hardest majors:

1. Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering is the second-hardest and hardest college major; students in this discipline spend an average of 19 hours and 40 minutes each week preparing for class.

This major is a vast subset of engineering that deals with the chemical design, manufacture, application, and transportation.

It involves a great deal of physics and math, as well as many tests at the degree level.

It is, however, varied and engaging, and you are likely to succeed if you are comfy with the scientific standards, devoted to perseverance, and really interested in the subject.

2. Computer Engineering

Another challenging major is computer engineering. The majority of people confuse it with computer science.

Despite the fact that they are quite comparable in many ways, this major is far more challenging than computer science.

One of the reasons this major is difficult is that you must take additional math classes, additional electrical classes, and multiple practical lab sessions.

Also, you will deal with many fields of algorithm approaches, current computer design, operating systems, and networks.

However, if you’re willing to work harder, smarter, more efficiently, and prioritize, you are likely to graduate with flying colors.

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3. Aerospace Engineering

Another hardest major on our list is Aerospace engineering. This major is extremely difficult since it requires a thorough grasp of mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer programming, and computer languages.

Will you refuse to venture into this career path cos you think it’s hard? Well, before we help you with an answer.

Let’s whisper to you that there are many fascinating benefits of being an aerospace engineer.

If you’re willing to put in the necessary work towards bagging a degree here, then you are sure on your way to grasping all the packages here.

Now, you can decide if this career path is worth venturing into.

4. Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering is quite hard. It is believed to be one of the hardest majors, owing to the amount of abstract thinking required.

Another factor that contributes to this difficulty is that it involves a wide variety of topics such as mathematics, physics, complicated subjects, technical nature, and a large quantity of material to master.


Students sometimes struggle with the amount of content that must be learned.

However, this shouldn’t stop you from venturing into this field if it’s what you want.

However, if you have an interest in mathematics, then you should consider this as a career path.

Although it might be a challenging discipline to study, the effort will be worthwhile.

5. Biomedical Engineering

With several classes in chemistry and biology, this major remains one of the hardest engineering majors there is.

While other majors concentrate on physics, this one demands considerably more.

Well, It’s an excellent option for individuals who enjoy studying a variety of science courses.

Biomedical engineering is indeed a challenging major, and it is even more difficult to obtain a degree here.

Regardless, this major is rewarding and worth it. However, you will have to study progressively complex material, acquire advanced arithmetic, become skilled in your lab work, and combine engineering concepts with medical ideas.

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6. Nuclear engineering

Nuclear engineering is very conceptual and hence more difficult to grasp, as it requires more computations and theoretical effort.

This major is a highly technical discipline requiring a solid set of technical abilities and a thorough understanding of nuclear applications.

However, Because nuclear equipment is not widely available, very few engineers get to observe real-world applications of their work.

This shouldn’t spoil your mind from going into the field if your passion lies here.


In fact, you can work in industrial applications, energy plants, or the medical area with a degree in this major.

7. Quantum Engineering

Quantum engineering is a challenging major to execute and communicate even to the layperson.

This is because of the combination of multidisciplinary domains such as quantum physics, computer science, electronics, electrical constructions, materials science, and social and soft skills.

However, in much as this career path is challenging, this should propel you to do more in order to bag a degree that will reward you heavily.

Related: Is Engineering & Construction A Good Career Path for Graduates | 2023

8. Robotics Engineering

Robotics engineering is a challenging major based on sophisticated mathematics, engineering, and computer science ideas. Hence a strong foundation in these topics is essential.

For many, an undergraduate degree in mathematics, construction, or computer science is the initial step toward a career in robotics.

It is without a doubt that this career path comes with enticing and vast opportunities that will literally sweep you off your feet.

Ready to study and work hard? Then consider kick-starting already.

9. Nanotechnology Engineering

Nanotechnology engineering, also known as nanoengineering, is a branch of engineering that studies, develops, and refines materials on a nanoscale.


It is regarded as difficult since it is a complicated job sector that requires knowledge of computer science, molecular biology, engineering, and mechanics.

What Makes a Major Harder Than Others?

Do we categorize some engineering majors harder than others?

Well, this might be the case for some personal reasons being that there are factors that can make an individual rate a major harder than another.

Generally, all majors are hard and have their peculiar challenges. Well, let’s look at some factors that make a major harder than others:

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Level of Abstraction

While some majors, like chemical engineering, have a high level of abstraction.

Other majors, like civil engineering, are considered to have a lower level of abstraction, which makes them less hard.

Guess you are already confused as to what abstraction is. Well, things that are not normally comprehended by our minds are referred to as abstractions.

So, a major with a high level of abstraction is considered hard.

Most majors have a higher concentration on advanced math and physics, which are typically the most difficult subjects for prospective engineers.

There’s a lot to learn, and most people don’t comprehend it at all.

Your Interest in it

Another factor that determines if a particular major is harder than the other is the level of interest you have in it.


If you pick a major that you dislike, trust me, you will dislike every class there, and you won’t cope easily.

This is akin to getting a ticket to disaster. But with a major you like, you will find it easy to complete.

Areas Where a Major Can be Put to Use

Because many people attribute an overused major to being accessible compared to the majors that are hard to find, this contributes to a hard major.

For instance, it is easy to identify an environmental engineer, while a robotics engineer isn’t easy to identify because of its complexity.

As such, we might categorize robotics engineer as being a harder major.

Conclusion

The hardest engineering major combines advanced mathematics, physics, and science.

Once you bag a degree in any of the majors, you are set for the world. You can fit in practically any career path with acquired rare skill sets and complex knowledge.

However, this can only be achieved with hard work, diligence, and focus. But hey, you will need to pick a major you are passionate about, so you can enjoy your study period.

What are you waiting for? Go pick a major already.

FAQs

Which is the most difficult engineering branch?

Chemical engineering is the most challenging major on our list because it mixes engineering’s most detailed understanding with chemistry.

What is the easiest engineer major?

You will find below the easiest engineering major:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Applied Engineering.
  • Structural Engineering.
  • Chemical engineering.
  • Mechanical Engineering.
  • Software Engineering.
  • Civil Engineering.

Which is the toughest semester in engineering?

The toughest semester in engineering is the first and second semester

Which engineering is best for the future?

Which engineering is in demand in the USA?

Civil engineering is expected to be in high demand shortly. Civil engineering has many disciplines, making it an exciting subject.


Structural engineering, environmental engineering, road/highway engineering, and transportation engineering are the four major civil engineering areas.

Can I do engineering If I fail in maths?

Students who did not study mathematics or physics in grade 12 can apply for undergraduate engineering programs such as B. Tech. and BE.

This is because the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has recently updated its regulations.

Which is the most difficult engineering branch?

Chemical engineering is the most difficult major on our list due to the fact that it mixes engineering’s most complicated understanding with chemistry.

What is the easiest engineer major?

You will find below the easiest engineering major:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Applied Engineering.
  • Structural Engineering.
  • Chemical engineering.
  • Mechanical Engineering.
  • Software Engineering.
  • Civil Engineering.

Which is the toughest semester in engineering?

The toughest semester in engineering is the first and second semester

Which engineering is best for future?

The engineering major best for the future include:

  • Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.
  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Biochemical Engineering.
  • Chemical Engineering.
  • Petroleum Engineering.
  • Telecommunication Engineering.
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
  • Robotics Engineering.

Which engineering is in demand in USA?

Civil engineering is expected to be in high demand shortly. Civil engineering has many disciplines, making it an exciting subject.


Structural engineering, environmental engineering, road/highway engineering, and transportation engineering are the four major civil engineering areas.

Can I do engineering If I fail in maths?

Students who did not study mathematics or physics in grade 12 can also apply for undergraduate engineering programs such as B. Tech. and BE.

This is because the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has recently updated its regulations.

References

  • College – Hardest engineering major
  • Economics – The 14 hardest and easiest engineering major ranked

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