While both degrees involve studying topics related to electricity and energy, an electrical engineering undergraduate degree focuses more on the practical application of these concepts, while a physics graduate degree delves deeper into the theoretical understanding of these concepts and their underlying principles.
Yes, your undergraduate degree in electrical engineering will provide you with a solid foundation in mathematics, physics, and engineering principles that will be useful in graduate level physics courses. However, you may need to take additional courses to fill in any gaps in your knowledge or to meet specific prerequisites for certain graduate programs.
There are many research opportunities available for individuals with an electrical engineering background in a physics graduate program. You may have the opportunity to work on projects related to energy systems, quantum electronics, or computational physics, among others. Your engineering background may also give you a unique perspective and skill set that can be applied to various research projects.
With a physics graduate degree and an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, you may have a wide range of career options available to you. Some potential career paths include working in research and development for technology companies, pursuing a career in academia, or working in government agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Having a strong background in mathematics and computer programming can be beneficial for someone with an electrical engineering background transitioning to physics graduate school. Additionally, having a basic understanding of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism can also be helpful, as these are fundamental concepts in physics that may not have been covered extensively in an electrical engineering undergraduate program.