Bachelors in physics and engphys masters, or vice versa?

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Choosing between a bachelor's in physics or engineering physics, followed by a master's in the opposite field, hinges on career goals, particularly in industry versus academia. Engineering degrees generally offer better salary prospects and job opportunities, especially in companies like Intel and IBM, compared to physics degrees. For those aiming for a PhD in physics, undergraduate research experience is crucial, while industry-focused students should prioritize programs with strong internship connections. Schools like UBC, UofT, and Waterloo have distinct strengths, with the former two leaning more towards physics and the latter towards engineering. Ultimately, aligning the degree path with career aspirations is essential for future success.
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Should I get a physics bachelors degree and then a engineering physics masters? or a engineering physics bachelors and a physics masters? or should i just go bacherlos and masters engphys, or should i do both bachelors and masters phys. Which is best in terms of salary and job oppurtunities.
My dream is to work for a company like intel, ibm etc. developing a new product; somewhere where i can share my innovative thoughts. However, The best job i can possibly think of having is to be a physics professor, because physics is where my passion lies. But, the path to getting tenure is a very difficult and pain-staking path or so I've heard. ( I plan on getting a phd anyways) I don't want to turn 40 and still be paying off my graduate debts with a meager TA salary.
Im from a toronto high school and have a 91~93 average.I am hoping to either go to ubc uoft waterloo or mcgill, but not sure which school to choose. This is because i don't know what MAJOR to choose as i know that uoft/waterloo are best for engineering whereas mcgill and ubc are more about the physics.

Please correct me if any of the information in this question is false and thank you
P.s. What are my chances in getting into these schools with my marks? (already got accepted to waterloo)
 
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I know a few people who went to work at intel. They have more options open for chemists and engineers than they do physicists, but they do hire PhD physicists.

I say forget the masters in physics...unless its an applied physics, professional science type degree. Then its an engineering degree dressed up as a physics degree, for physics majors to get into engineering. If you want a job in industry, get the right degree. Dont mess around with physics.

The "best" in terms of salary and job opportunities is engineering, not physics. Only do physics if you think you want to go for a PhD in physics.
 
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so, what school would you recommend for my bachelors?
 
In the US? If you want industry jobs you should definitely look for one that touts industry internships in your department. That would probably be one near a population center or even a kind of "tech center" (silicon valley, research triangle, etc.). This could be a place to start; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_technology_centers#Americas Those kinds of places often employ and intern from local universities.

But if you want a to do a PhD in physics then you generally want to do research as an undergrad rather than internships. That is what graduate admissions committees are looking for. In this case you should check out the possible research opportunities within various universities.

As far as course work goes its pretty standard across the board and barring outliers one school is as good as the next.
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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