Can I call myself a physicist yet?

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The discussion revolves around the qualifications and titles associated with being a physicist. Participants debate whether one can call themselves a physicist without a PhD, with opinions varying widely. Some argue that a PhD is necessary, while others believe that anyone with a degree in physics or who actively engages in physics-related work can claim the title. The conversation touches on the distinction between being a student, a researcher, and a professional physicist, with some participants suggesting that job titles should reflect one's current role and responsibilities. There is also a discussion about the relevance of job titles in different contexts, such as academia versus industry, and the implications of using titles like "engineer" or "physicist" without formal credentials. The thread highlights the complexities of identity and professional titles in the scientific community, emphasizing that the definition of a physicist can vary based on individual perspectives and experiences.
  • #61
I see where you might "think" contradiction is elicited.

You don't need a degree to be an engineer, a degree simply gives you a piece of paper that proves you have the knowledge as opposed to not having one where an employer would have to take your word for it. I have met many non-degree engineers who know a hell of a lot more than some graduates.

I see graduates earning more money than the ones without any degree. I also see a lot more graduates in the field than non-graduates.
 
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  • #62
Cyrus said:
For the last time, you need *in some cases* an engineering degree, if you want to do work that requires a licensed engineer to sign off on something. That's it.

Cyrus is right here. If you are to become chartered you need a degree. To prove you hold the knowledge required.
 
  • #63
//:phoenix:\\ said:
I see where you might "think" contradiction is elicited.

I don't "think" you contradicted yoursef, you did contradict yourself.

Simply knowing engineering doesn't make you an engineer. You have to have the knowledge added with the necessary degree.

Is a blatant contradiction. How can you have 'added' knowledge with a degree, if you already KNOW engineering? The first sentence implies that you WONT get "added" anything with an engineering degree.
 
  • #64
//:phoenix:\\ said:
I see graduates earning more money than the ones without any degree. I also see a lot more graduates in the field than non-graduates.

...and?
 
  • #65
Who mentioned pay? As a graduate aero engineer I am looking at an average wage of £25000PA. Now, I know a number of non-degree level engineers earning 40K plus.
 
  • #66
Cyrus, you say you know engineering. Could I just ask how much experience you have with it and what level of knowledge you would consider yourself to have.
 
  • #67
Knowing engineering doesn't make you an engineer correct? What makes you an engineer is the degree proving your claim. Hey! I am a physicist, biologist, engineer, mathematician, botanist, neurological surgeon, and radiologist. Prove it? No, no, no, just take my word on it. I will just use google to complete any task necessary. The only reason you saw it as contradiction was because I lacked clarity and ample explanation.

...and?

I was simply replying to a post.
 
  • #68
jarednjames said:
Cyrus, you say you know engineering. Could I just ask how much experience you have with it and what level of knowledge you would consider yourself to have.

I have a BS in Mechanical, working on an MS in aero, and do work for two small private companies in the Aerospace Industry and NASA.

What experience do you have?
 
  • #69
//:phoenix:\\ said:
Knowing engineering doesn't make you an engineer correct? What makes you an engineer is the degree proving your claim. Hey! I am a physicist, biologist, engineer, mathematician, botanist, neurological surgeon, and radiologist. Prove it? No, no, no, just take my word on it. I will just use google to complete any task necessary. The only reason you saw it as contradiction was because I lacked clarity and ample explanation.

I was simply replying to a post.

I'm not sure what the point of this post was....it's absurd.
 
  • #70
I'm a student of Aerospace Engineering BEng (Hons) at Kingston Uni London. I was just asking as from a previous post you made I didn't think you had a degree from the context of it. But was going to make the point that a person who has worked in the engineering industry without a degree for a number of years, is going to be more of an engineer than myself.

Now I don't and won't consider myself an engineer until graduation. Do you consider yourself an engineer? or do you have another title?

I'm actually very impressed with what you have put there. Sounds like a very interesting job you have. Hope I can go the same way.
 
  • #71
jarednjames said:
I'm a student of Aerospace Engineering BEng (Hons) at Kingston Uni London. I was just asking as from a previous post you made I didn't think you had a degree from the context of it. But was going to make the point that a person who has worked in the engineering industry without a degree for a number of years, is going to be more of an engineer than myself.

Now I don't and won't consider myself an engineer until graduation. Do you consider yourself an engineer? or do you have another title?

Sorry, I didn't mean to ask you if you were an engineer. I mixed you up with //:phoenix:\\. (You had already said you studied Aero earlier).
 
  • #72
What makes you an engineer is the degree. That is what I have been saying for the past couple of posts. You don't have a degree, then you are not an engineer.
 
  • #73
//:phoenix:\\ said:
What makes you an engineer is the degree. That is what I have been saying for the past couple of posts.

This is wrong. I've already said a several times now exactly *when* you need an official engineering degree.
 
  • #74
Pheonix, tell me something, when the engineer comes round to your house to fix your boiler do you believe they have a degree? They don't!
 
  • #75
Actually, it is right. Why do people study to become engineers? That question is all I need to refute your claim saying I am wrong. Either come up with an effective counter-argument instead of, "you're wrong," and, "that is absurd and nonsensical," or stop replying. I have yet to see anything substantiating your claim of makes a person an engineer.
 
  • #76
Pheonix, are you an engineer?
 
  • #77
Cyrus said:
This is wrong. I've already said a several times now exactly *when* you need an official engineering degree.

In Canada, you need a professional licence. No professional license and you're aren't an engineer. Done.

Do they have that in the US?
 
  • #78
//:phoenix:\\ said:
Actually, it is right. Why do people study to become engineers?

I can't speak for why other people become engineers.

That question is all I need to refute your claim saying I am wrong. Either come up with an effective counter-argument instead of, "you're wrong," and, "that is absurd and nonsensical," or stop replying. I have yet to see anything substantiating your claim of makes a person an engineer.

...I'm talking to a wall.
 
  • #79
Pheonix, people study for an engineering degree because the course gives a comprehensive understanding in engineering principles (e.g. maths, structural mechanics) and some business features (project management etc.). In my first year I learned about mixing concrete what possible use could I have for that in aerospace engineering?

Are you saying a person who has not followed a degree course, but has acquired the equivelant knowledge perhaps through practical experience which immediately elevates them above a graduate with no experience, is not an engineer?

Those two are equal, only one has a piece of paper saying they finished a course.

Pheonix once again are you an engineer?
 
  • #80
...I'm talking to a wall.

Likewise...

Pheonix, are you an engineer?

I m studying to become one but I am clearly not an engineer. Once I have a degree I will be as that proves that I have acquired the knowledge.
Are you saying a person who has not followed a degree course, but has acquired the equivelant knowledge perhaps through practical experience which immediately elevates them above a graduate with no experience, is not an engineer?

I won't answer this hypothetical question.
 
  • #81
JasonRox said:
In Canada, you need a professional licence. No professional license and you're aren't an engineer. Done.

Do they have that in the US?

There are different classifications of engineers in the US, in order of *legal* responsibility:

Unlicensed
Engineer in Training
Professional EngineerThey can all do engineering work, but if anything requires signing only the PE can sign off on it.
That's why a PE gets paid more money (money as good as or more than a PhD), because even a PhD cannot sign off on things unless they also get a PE.
 
  • #82
Can I call myself a doctor?

I think I am call myself physicist, Phd, biologist, .. without getting into any trouble
 
  • #83
rootX said:
Can I call myself a doctor?

I think I am call myself physicist, Phd, biologist, .. without getting into any trouble

You make good posts from time to time, knock yourself out, Dr.
 
  • #84
Cyrus said:
There are different classifications of engineers in the US, in order of *legal* responsibility:

Unlicensed
Engineer in Training
Professional Engineer


They can all do engineering work, but if anything requires signing only the PE can sign off on it.
That's why a PE gets paid more money (money as good as or more than a PhD), because even a PhD cannot sign off on things unless they also get a PE.

So if I score an Engineering related job, can I call myself an Engineer? (B. Sc. Mathematics)

Are you going by the title of the job only?

Just curious.
 
  • #85
It isn't hypothetical, it happens. Before aircraft, there were only mechanical engineers and so aerospace engineers were only described as such based on the knowledge gained from research in the field, not from a degree.
 
  • #86
Cyrus said:
They can all do engineering work

No, I don't think they can do all kind of engineering work. You need to have an experience i.e. a fresh graduate cannot go and design a complex system. There is a rational behind coming up with that PE.

I didn't reply in the other thread IIRC.. so replying to that too here
 
  • #87
This place has turned crazy. I am an astrobiologist and tomorrow I'll be a psychotherapist and clinically diagnose this place with a mild delusional disorder.
 
  • #88
rootX said:
No, I don't think they can do all kind of engineering work. You need to have an experience i.e. a fresh graduate cannot go and design a complex system. There is a rational behind coming up with that PE.

Cyrus didnt say all kinds of engineering, just that they can all do engineering work.
 
  • #89
Pheonix, if you had a good knowledge of astrobiology then yes you could call yourself one.
 
  • #90
JasonRox said:
So if I score an Engineering related job, can I call myself an Engineer? (B. Sc. Mathematics)

Are you going by the title of the job only?

Just curious.

Sure, you are being paid to do engineering work. You are actually *doing* engineering work. Thats what the very definition of being an engineer means. Someone who is trained to DO engineering work. Not STUDY engineering work, DO engineering work.

You can say: "Hi, I'm Jason and I'm an engineer!"
Me: "Whats your degree in?"
You: "My formal training was in mathematics"
Me: "Are you licensed?"
You: "No"
 

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