Applied Physics vs Professional Physics (emphasis)

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
2 replies · 2K views
DS2C
In pursuing a BS in Physics, my university offers an Applied emphasis and a Professional emphasis. However the class selection seems to be the same for both. I get this information from an option in my student account that allows me to theoretically change my major to a degree that I'm not yet in so that I can see what classes are required.

What is the difference? A little confused as I think no matter what you do with a physics degree, it could be considered "professional". In searching the forums, most results come up with graduate level specific information. As far as the information I've found here on a BS, it seems that "applied" means that it has a specific direction.

To give some clarity, I am not entirely sure where I'd like to focus specifically in physics but I do have a high interest in plasma physics and mathematical physics.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
DS2C said:
In pursuing a BS in Physics, my university offers an Applied emphasis and a Professional emphasis. However the class selection seems to be the same for both. I get this information from an option in my student account that allows me to theoretically change my major to a degree that I'm not yet in so that I can see what classes are required.

What is the difference? A little confused as I think no matter what you do with a physics degree, it could be considered "professional". In searching the forums, most results come up with graduate level specific information. As far as the information I've found here on a BS, it seems that "applied" means that it has a specific direction.

To give some clarity, I am not entirely sure where I'd like to focus specifically in physics but I do have a high interest in plasma physics and mathematical physics.

This is very school-specific, and you should be addressing this question to your academic advisor, or someone in your school's physics department.

Zz.
 
Had no idea it was school specific. Thank you for the clarification.