Bachelor of Science in Physics vs Engineering

[MasterMatt]

Greetings,

I have just completed my first semester of my Bachelor of Science degree and I got all A's, except for Biology, (but who cares, I'll never touch the subject again). I really, really enjoyed it, but I started thinking about what I wanted to do in four years. I don't want to pursue any medical fields, but I really enjoy Physics. I'm thinking that maybe I should switch into Civil Engineering, so that I'll be able to search for a secure job, but that means intersession, overloading courses, and losing all of the good grades I've attained. (Yes, I have checked to see what will transfer, and only Calculus does). I have until January 18th to switch my degree programs, and I am seeking your advice!

Also, is there any way to finish a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Physics, and become a Civil Engineer or obtain a Master's in Engineering?

Thank you in advance, and if you require more information, I will be monitoring this thread, so please ask.

Matt


***ps I have a very strong interest in space and possible research in that field..

 

[fss]

...but I really enjoy Physics. I'm thinking that maybe I should switch into Civil Engineering, so that I'll be able to search for a secure job, but that means intersession, overloading courses, and losing all of the good grades I've attained.

If you enjoy physics, why would you go into civil engineering? They aren't similar.

Also, is there any way to finish a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Physics, and become a Civil Engineer or obtain a Master's in Engineering?

Depends if the CE program will let you in without a bachelor's in CE. There's no way to generalize the answer to this question.

 

[nlsherrill]

Greetings,

I have just completed my first semester of my Bachelor of Science degree and I got all A's, except for Biology, (but who cares, I'll never touch the subject again). I really, really enjoyed it, but I started thinking about what I wanted to do in four years. I don't want to pursue any medical fields, but I really enjoy Physics. I'm thinking that maybe I should switch into Civil Engineering, so that I'll be able to search for a secure job, but that means intersession, overloading courses, and losing all of the good grades I've attained. (Yes, I have checked to see what will transfer, and only Calculus does). I have until January 18th to switch my degree programs, and I am seeking your advice!

Also, is there any way to finish a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Physics, and become a Civil Engineer or obtain a Master's in Engineering?

Thank you in advance, and if you require more information, I will be monitoring this thread, so please ask.

Matt


***ps I have a very strong interest in space and possible research in that field..

I know a few civil engineers very well, and like fss said, its not like physics at all. What do you mean by a "strong interest in space?" Do you mean space as in space itself, like General Relativity? Or do you mean traveling in space like an astronautical engineer might have interest in?

 

[MasterMatt]

If you enjoy physics, why would you go into civil engineering? They aren't similar.

Because...what can you do with a Bachelor of Science in Physics other than research?

 

[MasterMatt]

I know a few civil engineers very well, and like fss said, its not like physics at all. What do you mean by a "strong interest in space?" Do you mean space as in space itself, like General Relativity? Or do you mean traveling in space like an astronautical engineer might have interest in?

Research, as I said. Not space travel.

 

[Jokerhelper]

Because...what can you do with a Bachelor of Science in Physics other than research?

No, it's because what you study in physics is completely different from civil engineering. They're really not that close at all. You should have a look at your school's curricula for the programs.

 

[fss]

Because...what can you do with a Bachelor of Science in Physics other than research?

I guess the question is really "What can't you do with a BS in Physics?"

...

If you want to do engineering, do engineering. If you want to do Physics, do physics. Neither guarantees a job in the first place.

 

[Kevin_Axion]

fss is absolutely right, Physics actually allows one a greater diversity in research and jobs, as engineers aren't exposed to as much of the mathematics/physics and the engineering field is already concentrated as it's an applied science.

 

[MasterMatt]

No, it's because what you study in physics is completely different from civil engineering. They're really not that close at all. You should have a look at your school's curricula for the programs.

Irrelevant. I didn't ask that. My question is essentially what can you do with a BS in Physics vs a BS in Engineering. Also, how likely is it to get a career with either?

 

[fss]

My question is essentially what can you do with a BS in Physics vs a BS in Engineering.

Straight out of college, any job that specifically requires a PE (or some sort of) licensure will be off limits to one without that license (civil engineering, for example).

Also, how likely is it to get a career with either?

Meaningless question. You are "likely" or "unlikely" to get a career with either depending on how hard you search, where you live, what salaries you're willing to accept, etc.

 

[Shackleford]

You can get a career with or without any degree. The degree just helps you get a career in a field in which you want to work.

 

[MasterMatt]

Straight out of college, any job that specifically requires a PE (or some sort of) licensure will be off limits to one without that license (civil engineering, for example).

Sorry, what is a PE?

 

[Shackleford]

Sorry, what is a PE?

PE = Professional Engineer

It's a license bestowed upon someone by their respective state.