Do many of the required engineering courses for different engineering majors overlap?

For the first year, most of the engineerings have the same basic math and science courses.

If you want to aim high - think mechanical engineering. They're in demand and the curriculum is tough.

The Electrical/Computer engineers share a lot of the same course load.

Chemical and BioMedical engineers are beasts to themselves.

I agree with the others. Most freshman courses are the same across the engineering disciplines. So, if you want to explore a bit some more that would likely work out fine. During that time, I would recommend exploring actual careers of engineers from each discipline and understand what they do and how that varies. I wouldn't worry as much about the actual courses unless you simply despise one discipline over another. I am an electrical engineer but I spent more time with mechanical on the job.

Most of engineering courses are the same in the first year. Some courses like math, physics, chemistry are taught in all engineering majors. Majors like electrical engineering and computer science have lots of courses in common even in sophomore or senior year.
So yes you will have a better idea of what you can do and more important what you would like to be doing in the future and it is not late at all to change from one engineering field to another after the first year.

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask more questions.

Hey Jacob!

Good question. Many colleges will require you to take an initial introductory course. For example, I'm an electrical engineer and every freshman must take a intro to circuit course and one intro to programing course. After that, students usually take their fundamental courses or electives (math, history, etc.).

I think most colleges will let you take the intro courses just to get a taste if you are interested and I'm sure you are welcome to sit in on the classes if you are interested in that major.

Good luck!