Rumor about physics major, is it true?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perception of physics majors versus electrical engineering (EE) majors in the context of graduate school admissions for MS/PhD programs. Participants explore whether physics students are favored by EE professors due to perceived work ethic and academic performance, as well as the implications for students considering a transition from EE to physics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that EE professors may prefer physics students because they are perceived as more hard-working and academically capable.
  • Another participant humorously disputes the notion that physics students are inherently superior, referencing a quote from Einstein about human stupidity.
  • A different participant speculates that the preference for physics students might stem from the fact that many EE professors have backgrounds in physics.
  • Some participants argue that EE students work just as hard, if not harder, than their physics counterparts, with one noting that the average EE student may have more demanding schedules.
  • There are anecdotal claims about the work habits of physics students, with one participant sharing a story about a graduate student discussing the workload of a physicist.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the rumor, stating that it sounds unfounded and may vary by institution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the validity of the rumor regarding the preference for physics students. There are multiple competing views, with some asserting that the rumor is true while others strongly disagree.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal experiences and perceptions, which may not be universally applicable. The claims about work ethic and academic performance are based on individual observations and may depend on specific institutional contexts.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a transition between electrical engineering and physics, as well as those interested in graduate school admissions processes in STEM fields.

k_vince
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Hey guys,

I am currently a EE major. I have heard from friends and professors that while selecting candidates for MS/PhD, some EE professors tend to prefer physics students over EE students. The reason being that physics people, on average, are more hard-working people. Is this anywhere near true?

The reason that I'm asking this is because I like physics (even though I am an EE). However, I don't have enough passion to go completely physics. I am more into the applications of physics in the electronic fields. If the rumor is true, then I would seriously consider getting a BS in physics then a MS/PhD in EE. Is this a realistic path? Has anyone heard of people doing this?

please pardon me if any of my sentences sound awkward (English is not my native language) :smile:

P.S: I've been taking phyics major physics courses (instead of engr major phys) so far. So, don't worry about me not being able to survive in phys major :smile:


By the way, for grad school, I wanted to go somewhere East Coast (US). I always wanted to live in a place that has snow :smile:
The field that I'm interested is the solid state branch of EE. Any suggestions? :smile:

thx for the response
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
yes we work so much harder and are 100x more bright. I know I believe it.



hahahahaha nope first time I heard that one =)
Tell you a tale that Einstein once said There are two things in the universe that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity and I am not sure about the latter
 
You mean the former...
 
haha, I'm kinda surprise that no one heard of it :eek:

I'm guessing that one possible reason might be that a lot of the EE professors are actually physics major :smile: maybe this is why they wanted phy students more
 
I have heard that most math professors favor members of the United church of the flying spaghetti monster, because they are funnier. Any truth to this?

http://www.venganza.org/
 
i'm guess because phys student pull higher grades..but most eng have absurd timetables.
 
wanna see laziness? Come to the physics undergrad study room at my university!

Just today one of hte graduate students was talking about this one physicist from Cambridge that studied physics 6 out of 7 days. He then goes "I'm lucky if I can squeeze in...1 day of physics".

Then he asked if someone would go teach his lab for him :smile: :smile:
 
Absolutely not true AT ALL.
 
yeah, EE majors work hard for their money. so they better treat you right.
 
  • #10
It sounds like a rumor to me. At my university, the average EE student needs to work as hard or harder than his or her Physics counterpart. The same might not be true for your university, however.
 
  • #11
Pengwuino said:
wanna see laziness? Come to the physics undergrad study room at my university!

Just today one of hte graduate students was talking about this one physicist from Cambridge that studied physics 6 out of 7 days. He then goes "I'm lucky if I can squeeze in...1 day of physics".

Then he asked if someone would go teach his lab for him :smile: :smile:

My physics instructor last year was kinda like that. At the start of the quarter he said "I'm trying to teach you how to be scientists. We'll discuss topics in the news, whatever you want... and them maybe 10% physics, how's that?"

Of course, it wasn't really 10%. It was more like 11%.

PL
 

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