What I'm saying is, is there the possibility of say an average Engineering student who crosses over or decides to take a discipline in the Social Sciences or Arts faculty topping his/her class courtesy of him/her thinking Engineering courses from where such a one originates from are more 'involved' academically than the courses that they find themselves currently exposed to?

In a nutshell, what is the possibility that a 2.2 Engineering graduate will end up with a 2.1 or first class upon graduating with a degree in say International Relations or something of that nature in a Nigerian university?

This touches on the matter of multiple intelligences. (See the theory of multiple intelligences propounded by Howard Gardner, a psychology prof at Harvard.) I know a guy who made 2.2 in engineering who would easily have made a 2.1 or even first class if he had studied chemistry, sociology or international relations. On the other hand, I know a guy who made 2.2 in engineering who would have made third class if he studied law or English.

Generally, there are multiple intelligences and people tend to be gifted in different areas. That’s why Einstein said if you judge a fish by its ability to climb trees you’d classify it a failure. However, there are people who tend to be intelligent across a few areas – in their WASSCE they would make As in English, Maths, Geography, French and on like that.

I would say engineering is practically tougher than law. Law is practically tougher than geography or international relations. Geography or international relations is practically tougher than sociology. But engineering and sociology are in different areas of study entirely and require different intelligences so you can find someone who does well in engineering and poorly in sociology. It depends on the individual’s area of strength.

JuanDeDios: This touches on the matter of multiple intelligences. (See the theory of multiple intelligences propounded by Howard Gardner, a psychology prof at Harvard.) I know a guy who made 2.2 in engineering who would easily have made a 2.1 or even first class if he had studied chemistry, sociology or international relations. On the other hand, I know a guy who made 2.2 in engineering who would have made third class if he studied law or English.

Generally, there are multiple intelligences and people tend to be gifted in different areas. That’s why Einstein said if you judge a fish by its ability to climb trees you’d classify it a failure. However, there are people who tend to be intelligent across a few areas – in their WASSCE they would make As in English, Maths, Geography, French and on like that.

I would say engineering is practically tougher than law. Law is practically tougher than geography or international relations. Geography or international relations is practically tougher than sociology. But engineering and sociology are in different areas of study entirely and require different intelligences so you can find someone who does well in engineering and poorly in sociology. It depends on the individual’s area of strength.

Nice one, real nice.