What classes?

Hey,

I was wondering what classes I should take in High School and College if I want to be a coaster designer.

Thanks in advance!

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800,000 years in 7 seconds: Time Machine the movie or next S&S creation?

There have been many threads on this in the past. Dig around and you'll probably find more info than you'll know what to do with.

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- Peabody

Just thought I'd let you know that becoming a coaster designer will be extremely difficult. Good luck.

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Thanks for the support rcthemepark! At least i dont set my goals of becoming something incredibly impossible! I know it will be hard work but Im prepared for that! Now do you have any suggestions of what classes I should take?? That is what the post was about.

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800,000 years in 7 seconds: Time Machine the movie or next S&S creation?

Maybe Math and science tipe classes. That's just a guess. Maybe you should ask your giedance counceler, kiddo.

Not to be unsupportive, but your chances of getting into the NBA are better by far.

Ok you guys, he can be what he wants to be! If that is what he wants to do in life than I say go for it!

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Good Times!! Good Times!!
-Patrick

*** This post was edited by cdrpointcrazy4 on 5/1/2002. ***

Study engineering in college. In High School pay attention in Math and Science class.

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-Sean Newman
80 coasters and soon to be more Life is a roller coaster Ride It

College - Statics - Dynamics - Mechanics

And start making friends in the industry now. Offer yourself for volunteer internships in the summer. I don't know where you could do this, though...

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He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

Math (Not that wimpy pre-algebra stuff either. We're talking calculus), physics, psychology, any sort of engineering, drafting, etc.

Of course, I assume you know that there aren't a whole lot of coaster designers out there. I don't have the numbers to back this up, but I believe that more people have been into outer-space than designed roller coasters.

...but Comatose, there are NO classes on how to grow into a 7' tall KG - if there were, I'd be taking them right now! There ARE ways to improve math & science skills, however...;)

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You can't spell S:UF without UF....Go Gators! Let the pretzel loop tie you in knots...

9th-Geometry & Biology

10th-Algebra II& Chemistry

11th-Trig & the next science (forget it at the moment)

12th-Calculus A or B & Physics

thats the path im on right now, however if you are not in one of these classes in the specified grade you have to either take summer classes at college, or go an extra year.

not too sure of the college classes but i know they're impossible

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HurricaneGeauga- Just in case

You'd probably want to be some sort of engineer....I doubt there are really many designing jobs in the US though. If you do get an engineering degree (which is difficult enough!) You'd probably have to design some other stuff in the outside chance you'd get a coaster designing job down the road. I highly doubt that, say, Arrow hires designers straight out of college. In HS you'd probably want to take AP physics and AP calc. Good luck!

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Well, the math and physics are definitely important, but dont leave out CAD. If there is a CAD class you can take.. TAKE IT!

CAD classes will help you get used to rendering 3d objects which will help tremendously.

Darkhelmet, you are correct. There aren't many of us designers. Less than 25 players in the industry today make it very difficult for people to break in. Especially when you are up against the coaster God(Werner Stengel)for a project. Man, he is darn near impossible to go up against for a job.

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WCUSA-The World's largest theme park is coming!
Theme parks will NEVER be the same!

*** This post was edited by Chris Godsey on 5/1/2002. ***

Check FAQ at this link:

http://www.consignag.com/index_ae

Consign is a top designer of roller coaster controls and hears this quesiton frequently.

*** This post was edited by Jim Fisher on 5/1/2002. ***

Thanks guys!

Hurricane Geauga, that is also the path that I am one right now also! Ill be in 9th grade next year and those are the classes I am taking.

Again, thanks for the support, and wish me luck.

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800,000 years in 7 seconds: Time Machine the movie or next S&S creation?

Try emailing a college to see. Thats what i'm gonna do but i'm lazy and still have to get around to it.

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Definitely get exposed to physics and calculus before you get to college or it will slam you in the face and you may never catch up. I'm a mechanical engineering student at Iowa State and have had much difficulty with it even though I got almost straight A's in high school. It's much different at the college level. When you get to college, make sure you try your hardest and do well the frist semester. Don't kid yourself that it will get easier after that. It only gets worse. STUDY! Good luck.
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-Matt (Iowa State's Engineering Recruiter, lol)
193 coasters ridden -- #1 Shivering Timbers
Just say no to Gerstlauer!

In High School you should take Algebar I and II, Geometry, Triginometry, and Calculus, also in science you should take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics which will help you computing formulas. And Computerwise, I would suggest a Industrial Tech. program.

In College you should take Mecahnical/ Electriacal engineering, and continue with college level Caculus and other math classes as well as Science classes.