Compare two majors
Pick any two majors to see courses, skills, and typical career roles side by side. Useful if you're weighing two options that sound similar, like Computer Science vs. Data Science, or Biology vs. Biochemistry.
Arts & Design
Industrial & Product Design
Designing physical products people use every day.
Typical courses
- ✓Design Fundamentals
- ✓Sketching & Ideation
- ✓3D Modeling (CAD)
- ✓Materials & Manufacturing Processes
- ✓Human Factors & Ergonomics
- ✓Prototyping & Model-Making
Skills you'll build
Product sketching and ideation3D CAD modelingPrototyping and model-makingUnderstanding materials and manufacturing constraintsUser research and human-centered designPresenting and defending design decisionsBalancing aesthetics, function, and manufacturability
Good fit if you...
- ★Enjoys both creative design and technical problem-solving
- ★Curious about how everyday objects are designed and made
- ★Comfortable moving between digital modeling and physical prototyping
- ★Interested in how design affects how people use things
Roles this could lead to
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Designing machines and physical systems, from engines to robots.
Typical courses
- ✓Statics & Dynamics
- ✓Thermodynamics
- ✓Fluid Mechanics
- ✓Mechanics of Materials
- ✓Machine Design
- ✓Heat Transfer
Skills you'll build
Applying physics and calculus to real systemsCAD modeling and technical drawingDesign for manufacturingPrototyping and hands-on fabricationSystems thinking (how components interact)Technical problem-solving under constraintsWorking in engineering design teams
Good fit if you...
- ★Strong in physics and math, and likes applying both
- ★Enjoys building and tinkering with physical objects
- ★Comfortable with CAD software and hands-on lab work
- ★Interested in how machines and mechanisms work
Roles this could lead to
This comparison covers what each field of study typically includes. It's not a ranking, and it isn't a guarantee of course availability or outcomes at any specific school. See our disclaimer.