Exploring Physics and Electronics Majors: A Guide for Students

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In summary, Abed Haidar from Lebanon is studying either pure physics or electronics at the Lebanese University and is unsure of which major to choose. He does not want to pursue a career in teaching, but is interested in research and plans to continue his studies in Australia. He is seeking advice on which university and major would be best for his future job prospects, and is also interested in finding a job that would allow him to visit his home country.
  • #1
elabed haidar
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hello everyone my name is abed haidar and i am from lebanon i really want to know if someone is studying pure physics what major does he have other than teaching and research??
second if i study electronics can i do electrical engieering only or there are other choices??
 
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  • #2
elabed haidar said:
hello everyone my name is abed haidar and i am from lebanon i really want to know if someone is studying pure physics what major does he have other than teaching and research??

...I'm not exactly sure what you're asking here. He would probably have a physics Ph.D?

second if i study electronics can i do electrical engieering only or there are other choices??

If you exchange "electronics" and "electrical engineering" then this sentence makes sense. If you study electrical engineering, you can do more than electronics...I know of a few EE professors who work on biological systems.
 
  • #3
elabed haidar said:
if someone is studying pure physics what major does he have other than teaching and research??

I think you mean employment opportunities.
Physicists work in many fields, Engineering (e.g. semiconductors),, Finance and so.
Some even do networking and software engineering. Basically during your physics degree, you will be learning multiple things (physics, mathematics, programming).
 
  • #4
we here in lebanon in the lebanese universiity we have in the faculty of science either pure physics or electronicsso when i finish the first three years in pure physics what options do i have i need specific details on what shoudl i do after the three years if i want to continue in australlia
 
  • #5
I am not sure what is this electronics degree that is offered by the faculty of science (it might be like applied physics or so).
You may have problems later on if you would like to do a master/PhD studies depending on the content of the programme..
To be an Electronics engineer, you need a minimum of 4 years of education (in USA), and typically the degree is offered by the faculty of Engineering, not science.

I think the pure physics degree is good, later on you can either continue with Physics (theoretical or applied) or even some fields of engineering.

If you like electronics, then it is better to do Electrical Engineering than having a degree from the faculty of science. Later options include immediate employment (it is easier to get a job with Engineering degree than Physics) or graduate degree. In engineering, some prefer not to continue with a higher degree but to become a certified professional engineer and do for example consulting.

If you want to go to Australia, you can simply apply for a master programme or similar there.
 
  • #6
thank you sir so what about pure physics other than teaching and research you said we can do applied physics what do you mean and in pure physics can i continue with this degree in mechanical engineering
last thing in electronics other than electrical engineering can we do computer or telecominucation thank you very much sir for your help
 
  • #7
so do you have any advice for me man i really don't know what should i do next year i am in my first year in the lebanese university and i have to decide next year whether to do pure physics or electonics i hate teaching i may like reseach but i love engineering i need to know how to take the right way
 
  • #8
elabed haidar said:
thank you sir so what about pure physics other than teaching and research you said we can do applied physics what do you mean and in pure physics can i continue with this degree in mechanical engineering
last thing in electronics other than electrical engineering can we do computer or telecominucation thank you very much sir for your help

You're welcome.

In applied physics (sometimes also called Engineering Physics), during the first few semesters you will have standard physics education, but later on the courses will be focused on applications, they can be focused on a field of engineering e.g. electrical or mechanical (this depends on the university).

You can also switch fields (i.e. bachelor in physics and master in engineering or vice versa), between Engineering & Physics, but you have to make up for the missing courses, this is in general not easy, you need at least one year of extra courses to make up for the difference.

I doubt you can do Telecommunication or computer eng (both are branches of Electrical Engineering) with that Electronics degree. Telecommunication especially require some really specialized courses (Networks, Protocols etc...).

With a bachelor in physics degree (doesn't matter pure or applied), you should be able to handle technical jobs across different fields (remember, that a very important factor in education is not only learning, but how to learn and adapt). Not every one who graduates works in his/her specific field.

I would suggest doing what you like most, and don't think about the future too much.
 
  • #9
wowwwwww thanks man that really helps we here in lebanon have either pure or elcetronics so if i continue pure i can still think of engineering and if i want to continue to australlia after finishing my first three years wht should i do do you know anyone who could help
 
  • #10
need help

hey my name is abed haidar and i am from lebanon studying physics but i haven't decided yet i know i have asked before but i really want to know what to do here is a preview of what's going on i am studying in the lebanese university (governmental) and we have two majors either pure physics or electronics that's not only my problem i hate teaching maybe i like some research but i hate teaching with all due respect to all teachers especially my dad and when i finish bahcelor in one of these two majors i want to continue my studies in australlia so my questions are the following:
- which university should i go?
-which major is best for my major?
- which job may give me the chance in visiting my country if i work in australlia?
p.s i was born in australlia
 
  • #11
physiker_192 said:
You're welcome.

In applied physics (sometimes also called Engineering Physics), during the first few semesters you will have standard physics education, but later on the courses will be focused on applications, they can be focused on a field of engineering e.g. electrical or mechanical (this depends on the university).

You can also switch fields (i.e. bachelor in physics and master in engineering or vice versa), between Engineering & Physics, but you have to make up for the missing courses, this is in general not easy, you need at least one year of extra courses to make up for the difference.

I doubt you can do Telecommunication or computer eng (both are branches of Electrical Engineering) with that Electronics degree. Telecommunication especially require some really specialized courses (Networks, Protocols etc...).

With a bachelor in physics degree (doesn't matter pure or applied), you should be able to handle technical jobs across different fields (remember, that a very important factor in education is not only learning, but how to learn and adapt). Not every one who graduates works in his/her specific field.

I would suggest doing what you like most, and don't think about the future too much.

i have asked some proffesors in our college and they have said that electronics is a branch like pure physics which will lead in the future to electrical and telecom engineering but as you said i have to catch up i am really confused and i don't know that to do
 
  • #12
elabed haidar said:
electronics is a branch like pure physics

This looks like nonsense to me

elabed haidar said:
which will lead in the future to electrical and telecom engineering

and this feels like vapor. Telecomm/communications is way different than what is covered in the physics programme syllabus.
Also even if you manage to make it up, know that there are so many engineers out there where they will be preferred over you unless you have an usual profile (e.g. publications or so).

Do what you like most, this will allow do better within that field/innovate.
Things do change with time, maybe by the take you want to take some telecomm courses you no longer find it interesting (this points in the direction of not to consider employment in selecting your educational path).


p.s. Please make use of punctuation (commas, dots and line breaks), reading one long paragraph without them is annoying and its unprofessional as well.
 
  • #13
thank you very much but i still don't know what can i do with a bachellor of pure physics other than teaching and researching, because if these are my options then i will have to change my domain to electronics which is very useful these days i just want a decent, special job you know thank you very much
 

1. What is the difference between physics and electronics majors?

Physics is the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental laws of the universe. It is a broad field that covers topics such as mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. Electronics, on the other hand, focuses specifically on the design, development, and application of electronic devices and systems. While both majors involve a strong foundation in math, physics majors tend to have a more theoretical and mathematical approach, while electronics majors have a more hands-on and practical focus.

2. What career opportunities are available for physics and electronics majors?

Physics and electronics majors have a wide range of career opportunities in fields such as research and development, engineering, education, and technology. Some common job titles for physics majors include physicist, research scientist, data analyst, and engineer. For electronics majors, common job titles include electronics engineer, circuit designer, software developer, and technical support specialist.

3. What skills and knowledge are required for a physics or electronics major?

Both physics and electronics majors require strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as a solid foundation in math and science. In addition, physics majors should have a strong understanding of theoretical concepts and be able to apply them to real-world problems. Electronics majors should have a good understanding of circuit design, programming, and various electronic components and systems.

4. Is it necessary to have prior experience with physics or electronics before choosing one of these majors?

No, prior experience is not necessary for either major. However, having a strong interest and aptitude in math and science is important for success in these majors. It can also be helpful to have some exposure to physics and electronics through courses or extracurricular activities before committing to a major.

5. What resources are available for students interested in pursuing a physics or electronics major?

There are many resources available for students interested in these majors, such as academic advisors, career counselors, and departmental websites. Additionally, students can attend career fairs and networking events, join student organizations related to physics and electronics, and talk to current students or professionals in the field. It can also be helpful to research different universities and their specific programs to find the best fit for your interests and goals.

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