associates to engineering BS?

[sixstring]

From what I have been told an associates degree is very good for the resume, and being able to do your work more efficiently. I am wanting to eventually get in the engineering part of the industry. This may be a question for the school, but can I use the credits from the associates towards a BA? My other option, which is more appealing to me due to being able to stay home and take care of sick family is running through the rses CM. How does the CM compare to an associates, and and thoughts on credit transfer? Either way I want to read lots of books on my lunch break when I get an apprenticeship.

[maintenanceguy]

In most cases, your associates classes won't be rigorous enough to be accepted by engineering schools.

Engineering is more of a vocational education than most other college degrees. If you get a degree in english, art history, or political science, 50% or less of your classes will be in your field. If you study engineering, almost all of your classes will be specific to your field. I've never seen an engineering A.S. degree so most of your credits won't even be in the same field. (I have seen "engineering technology" associates degrees, not the same thing)

I knew a lot of guys who had done 2 years at a county college who ended up starting over when they got to engineering school because none of their credits were accepted. Of course their county colleges told them they would be.

I doubt that the CM designation would count toward college credit, especially in engineering. Servicing stuff and engineering stuff is just different. Neither group has the skills to do the other's job very well.

My advice is to check with the engineering school where you would like to eventually attend and ask them what they will accept.

There's one question you can ask yourself to see if engineering is for you: Do you really like math? Engineering isn't very much about fixing stuff, designing stuff, or building stuff. Engineering (at least the college part) is basically an applied math and physics degree. It's the math that knocks most of those accepted into the program into some other major.

My first physics class, on the firs day of college, the professor asked us to introduce ourselves to the person to our left and to our right. We did. He then told us that only one of the three of us would remain after the first exam. He was right.

[Carnak]

Engineering is about designing stuff and building stuff. The math is tough

[snewman24]

From what I have been told an associates degree is very good for the resume, and being able to do your work more efficiently. I am wanting to eventually get in the engineering part of the industry. This may be a question for the school, but can I use the credits from the associates towards a BA? My other option, which is more appealing to me due to being able to stay home and take care of sick family is running through the rses CM. How does the CM compare to an associates, and and thoughts on credit transfer? Either way I want to read lots of books on my lunch break when I get an apprenticeship.

If you are really interested in pure engineering, you wouldn't normally pursue a 2-yr. degree in HVAC and then transfer to a 4-yr. engineering college. HVAC is vocational training, and engineering is professional, on a much higher level scholastically. As Ryan said above, you're going to be taking physics, college algebra, trig, 3 semesters of calculus, differential equations, thermodynamics, statics & strengths, etc., etc. Pure engineering is a whole different world. You might design HVAC systems, but I doubt you'd ever hold a wrench. If hands-on HVAC is what you're interested in, then the path would be a 2-yr. associates in HVAC, and then transfer to one of the 2 4-yr. bachelors programs in HVAC Engineering at Ferris State in Michigan or at one of the Pennsylvania colleges.
Ferris is an excellent school, and even has an online option to pursue the 4-yr. degree once you have completed your 2-yr. locally. You can even take some junior & senior level classes locally such as math , Autocad, etc. that aren't directly HVAC related. You do have to spend a few weeks in Big Rapids, on campus each summer for the hands-on portion, but otherwise you can complete the degree online at home.

http://www.ferris.edu/cot/hvacr/academic/Online.pdf
http://www.ferris.edu/cot/hvacr/
http://www.pct.edu/schools/cdt/hvac/programInfo.htm

[sixstring]

I knew there was a lot of math involved, but not mostly math. I do math because I have to, I design things because I like to. I should have looked more into it before posting. Thanks for the info.

[stevelmn]

Look for a program that is labeled Mechanical Engineering Technology - these programs may be more hands on and not so math intensive. What about taking some AutoCad classes and looking into an HVAC Designer job or being a draftsman at an engineering firm and see if they will help you with the $$$ of college?

[sixstring]

Hvac design is what I want to do. I don't even have an apprenticeship yet, I am looking at all my options for now and the future. I am starting an hvac associates programs at a local community college this term, nit sure if its worth it. I thought that I might get just as much education working the rses programs and not have to spend all the time in a class room and all the loans to pay back. I would have less to put on a resume, but once I land the job I can prove a little more. I would have to be a tech for years before I really got into design. Maybe my definition of engineer is off (I hope so, hate math)...? I want to design hvac systems in large building in the (distant) future.

[smokies]

Have you looked into the UA apprenticeship in your area? The UA has an agreement with Washentaw Community College and Ferris State University. WCC for your AAS/AS and FSU for the BS. It's what I am working on currently. Wrapping up my last classes at WCC.

Here's what I see, just my opinion. I actually spend alot of time around engineers because of my position with my company. I came up through the UA - 2yr tech school, 5yr UA app, years in the field. A couple of yours ago I actually interviewed some Mechanical Engineering grads from a local college to work in my department. I was blown away by their complete lack of knowledge in the HVAC industry. Great young people with bright futures, but had no idea about what I was talking about when asking them about systems. I still see some of them at some ASHREA dinners and their doing great working for enginering outfits.

I think the biggest need in our industry is a hybrid person, someone with both the field and specific HVAC knowledge along with the engineering knowledge. That type of person will be absolutely priceless. Period. A person that has been in the ditches in the summer, on the roof at 2am, and understands what it takes to make things happen everyday. Then that person learns the engineering side, understand what the systems are designed to do, why they do what they do, and most importantly - look at the facility/system as a whole and not just whats broke at that minute.

Now this sounds great, but it would add many years onto the plan. UA app is normally 5 years then some field experience, then FSU for 3-5 yrs. Major committment. You can shorten that if you plan it right. It is do-able, but a huge committment. Then you have to figure out how to pay for it. Whatever company your with likely will help.

Just something to think about. If you plan correctly and have the time, it may be a good option. You will have to be extremely driven, patient, and love this trade. Being a little crazy helps to.

Good luck with whatever you do.

[dinesh_dream2008]

Hi,
I want to Know how to size it, wall opening for return air duct ....

[Mike hvac]

Snewman24, what colleges in PA are good and what colleges accept A.A.S. from community colleges? I've heard good things about PA college of technology, about automated building systems program.

[snewman24]

Snewman24, what colleges in PA are good and what colleges accept A.A.S. from community colleges? I've heard good things about PA college of technology, about automated building systems program.

I really can't add anymore than I posted back in 2010. Last I knew, there were only 2 or 3 four year HVAC programs in the U.S. I know Ferris has an excellent reputation, but I don't know anything about the Penn. COT program. Sorry.....