Can an Engineering Graduate Pursue a Physics PhD?

[Dianaelq]

Hello :), my name is Diana, and I am a second year electrical and electronics engineer undergraduate. To be honest, I never really wanted to be an engineer, I've always wanted to be a physicist. But things didn't work out well for me, and so I had to choose engineering. But, I never gave up on the idea of being a physicist one day, I told myself it's okay, I will finish engineering, and then when I am stable, I will major in physics. But there were people who told me that why not consider doing a master's degree in physics after graduating, and then a PhD. And what I was wondering would that be a good idea? If I did a master's degree and a PhD would that qualify me to be physicist? Or should I just stick with the first plan which is majoring in undergraduate physics right ahead? I am really confused. And I know it's a bit early for me to think and plan for this, because I still have three years ahead of me to graduate, but physics means everything to me, and that's why I am planning everything too early.

 

[S.G. Janssens]

Depending on your university system, you may still be able to switch to physics at this point in time. It will likely introduce some delay, but you could look into it, discuss it with a local study advisor.

Alternatively, I think (but physicists: please correct me if wrong) that depending on your choices of elective courses in the engineering program, electrical engineering could be quite compatible with certain areas of physics, such as condensed matter physics and optics. This may indeed give you an opportunity to do a master's degree in such a specialisation.

If you want to be a physicist, you should go for it at a definite point in time. Otherwise, you will just have regrets later.

 

[ZapperZ]

Hello :), my name is Diana, and I am a second year electrical and electronics engineer undergraduate. To be honest, I never really wanted to be an engineer, I've always wanted to be a physicist. But things didn't work out well for me, and so I had to choose engineering. But, I never gave up on the idea of being a physicist one day, I told myself it's okay, I will finish engineering, and then when I am stable, I will major in physics. But there were people who told me that why not consider doing a master's degree in physics after graduating, and then a PhD. And what I was wondering would that be a good idea? If I did a master's degree and a PhD would that qualify me to be physicist? Or should I just stick with the first plan which is majoring in undergraduate physics right ahead? I am really confused.And I know it's a bit early for me to think and plan for this, because I still have three years ahead of me to graduate, but physics means everything to me, and that's why I am planning everything too early.

1. Where in the world are you and where in the world do you intend to do all this? (a lot of members seem to neglect this very important information)?

2. Have you read this thread: https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...if-my-bachelors-degree-isnt-in-physics.64966/ ?

3. Will you be happy to continue doing EE if you can actually focus or work in an area that bridges EE and Physics? https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/accelerator-physics-a-field-where-jobs-go-begging.410271/

Zz.