Advice for Physics/Engineering Student After Year 12 Maths

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concerns and considerations of students transitioning from high school to university studies in physics or engineering. Participants share their experiences, uncertainties about career paths, and seek recommendations for further reading in mathematics and physics to prepare for university-level coursework.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about whether to pursue physics or engineering, seeking guidance on which areas of mathematics to focus on for university.
  • Another participant shares a concern about the potential disconnect between studying engineering and their interests in quantum mechanics and theoretical physics.
  • Some participants discuss the possibility of switching between physics and engineering degrees at the University of Melbourne, suggesting that flexibility exists in course selection.
  • There are inquiries about the pathway to medical physics, including whether further education, such as medical school, is necessary after obtaining a physics degree.
  • Several participants share book recommendations for foundational mathematics and physics texts, although the relevance of these texts may vary over time.
  • Concerns about career prospects in physics and engineering are raised, with some participants noting that physics graduates can find employment in diverse fields, including banking.
  • One participant reflects on their own experience of studying physics and later working in a bank, indicating a shift in career focus post-graduation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions regarding career paths and the relevance of physics and engineering degrees in the job market. There is no consensus on the best approach to preparing for university studies or the implications of choosing one field over another.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific books and resources that may be outdated or subject to change, indicating that recommendations should be verified for current relevance. The discussion also highlights the uncertainty surrounding career outcomes for physics and engineering graduates.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a transition from high school to university in physics or engineering, as well as those interested in exploring career options related to these fields.

||spoon||
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Hey guys,

i just finished year 12 a couple of weeks ago where i took specialist maths, for those not familiar: this subject gives a pretty basic introduction to vectors, vector calculus, integration techniques, differentition techniques (like implicit), complex numbers, differential equations, kinematics and dynamics.

At university i want to either study phyics or engineering, am still a little uncertain.

I have been trying to find some books that i can download to get a further head start for uni but I am not sure which areas of maths i should be focussing on...

What would a physics/engineering student usually begin to learn after a basic introduction to these subjects? there are so many different topics!

Anyways if anyone had links to downloadable books for the topics they suggest that would be great, or if anyone has any links to more in-depth books on the subjects i have done (i.e. not beginner ones but i guess intermediate) that would be great!

Thanks heaps and Happy New Year!
 
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I have the similar dilemma to yours, I'm worried that if I study engineering i won't be able to follow up my interests in quantum mechanics, einsteins theories and the universe! etc. But I'm also worried that if I do a physics degree i'll end up in a random career that I don't like.

Sorry I couldn't be of help I just found it weird how just as I was going to post a thread like yours, someone else did on the other side of the world!
 
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Don't worry. I studied Physics and ended up working for a bank.
 
why would a bank employ someone with a physics degree?
 
why wouldn't a bank employ someone with a physics degree?
 
what do you mean don't worry? That's exactly WHAT I
am worried about! I have absolutely no interest in banking and would hate to work in one.

But again does anyone have any book suggestions.

Also to tommyburgey... You have describedmy situation better than I could have! But I have to decide in a few days :( because university starts soon.
 
||spoon|| said:
to tommyburgey... You have described my situation better than I could have! But I have to decide in a few days :( because university starts soon.
Oh dear, well if I had to choose now I would do physics, ideally end up doing something like medical physics as my teacher thinks that you can earn a lot there. Although I heard it's mainly an office job :(
Anyway I'm sure the uni would let you swap from engineering to physics or vice versa if you realize you chose the wrong one...but I don't really know anything about this, I'm just speculating, you should contact the university and see if it would be possible.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
 
yes the course which is my first preference is a very flexible one at the university of Melbourne. You can interchange between the new science degree and the engineering degree almost seemlessly until end of second year, provided ofcourse you take some certain classes. Just hope I get in now lol
 
tommyburgey said:
Oh dear, well if I had to choose now I would do physics, ideally end up doing something like medical physics as my teacher thinks that you can earn a lot there. Although I heard it's mainly an office job :(
Anyway I'm sure the uni would let you swap from engineering to physics or vice versa if you realize you chose the wrong one...but I don't really know anything about this, I'm just speculating, you should contact the university and see if it would be possible.
Sorry I can't be of more help.


how does one branch from a physics degree into medical physics? Does he have to go through med school after the physics degree? Just curious, what degrees does it take to be a medical phycist?
 
  • #10
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  • #11
Oerg said:
why would a bank employ someone with a physics degree?

Someone needs to keep the place clean.

Also, physics people are comfortable with numbers.
 
  • #12
also once you branch out from technical fields job requirement become a bit more flexible. Unlike physics, math, engineering etc. it doesn't take 4 years to learn how to be competent in business for the most part if you've got a brain and motivation you can do it.

the average person switches careers 4 times in there lives, I know lumberjacks who've become accountants, actors who now work in the federal reserve, and an art history major who now runs a sales account in excess of $50 million
 
  • #13
University of Melbourne

OP:

I finished an Arts & Science degree at Melb Uni.. (phys and philosophy major)

Here's a list of some of the books I used in first year:

Maths:
Elementary Linear Algebra, Venit & Bishop, Fourth Ed
Calculus: Concepts and Contexts, Stewart, Second Ed

Physics:
Fundamentals of Physics, Halliday, Resnick & Walker

(note: this was in 2004 so it may have changed a bit since then)

Good books and gives an alright intro into physics..
 
  • #14
Actually after I graduated I wasn't really interested in doing physics as a career. I more enjoyed the subject in school. I guess I was burned out by then.

In the bank I work in the MIS department as a data analyst. I pull reports, and we prepare them for the business. In all, it's good work. I'm looking to prepare for going back to get my Masters in Physics, since I probably could end up teaching or something like that. I have an interest in lasers, and possibly EM, but have to see how that goes.

||spoon|| said:
what do you mean don't worry? That's exactly WHAT I
am worried about! I have absolutely no interest in banking and would hate to work in one.

But again does anyone have any book suggestions.

Also to tommyburgey... You have describedmy situation better than I could have! But I have to decide in a few days :( because university starts soon.

I know for me, I have no interest in biophysics. I'm more interested in light and electricity/magnetism.

Oerg said:
how does one branch from a physics degree into medical physics? Does he have to go through med school after the physics degree? Just curious, what degrees does it take to be a medical phycist?
 
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