Electrical Engineers with advanced physics knoweledge

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the intersection of electrical engineering (EE) and advanced physics, particularly in the context of career paths, educational choices, and emerging technologies. Participants explore the relevance of physics in EE, the potential for combining fields like IC design and solid-state physics, and the current job market dynamics in these areas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express interest in the necessity of studying advanced physics for a career in EE, particularly in IC design and solid-state physics.
  • One participant shares their career path, indicating that mixing material science with IC design is feasible.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the declining job market in IC design and semiconductor device design, with references to historical peaks in these fields.
  • Participants discuss the perception that emerging technologies in nanoelectronics may create new opportunities, despite the stated decline in traditional fields.
  • There is mention of new areas like photonics, MEMS, and spintronics as potential growth fields, though competition and job security remain uncertain.
  • Some participants note that many EE graduates have shifted towards management roles rather than remaining in design or fabrication.
  • Questions arise about the safety of focusing on new technologies and the potential for competition in fields like quantum computing.
  • Participants inquire about the differences between optoelectronics and photonics, indicating a desire for clarification on these topics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the job market and the relevance of physics in EE, with no clear consensus on the future of these fields or the best career paths. There is acknowledgment of both declining traditional areas and emerging technologies, but opinions vary on their viability and competition levels.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference historical trends and personal experiences, but there are limitations in the discussion regarding the current state of job markets and the impact of emerging technologies, which remain unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to electrical engineering students, professionals considering advanced studies in physics, and those exploring career options in emerging technology fields.

Avaro667
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Hello .
Is there any EE who thinks he had to go the extra mile in studying physics to this point in his career ? What courses did you take in both physics and mathematics? Did you read any topic on your own ? I'm really interested in your answers :) .

I think i would like to get into IC design but i also like solid state physics as well . What I'm wondering about is whether in the end i would have to decide between the two fields . Do you think it would be possible to get a job later involving both IC design & R&D on device materials?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Quite possible. Actually mixing material science with IC design was my career path.
You should also take into account both fields are in decline currently, therefore competition for the job become fierce, especially in the IC design.
 
trurle said:
Quite possible. Actually mixing material science with IC design was my career path.
You should also take into account both fields are in decline currently, therefore competition for the job become fierce, especially in the IC design.

That's interesting . How come ? I thought especially now with all these emerging technologies and breakthroughs in nanoelectronics that both fields would need more people working on stuff.
 
When I was taking graduate solid state physics in the early 1980s, there were MANY EE graduate students in my class. They all graduated with EE graduate degrees and got jobs in device fabrication.
 
Avaro667 said:
That's interesting . How come ? I thought especially now with all these emerging technologies and breakthroughs in nanoelectronics that both fields would need more people working on stuff.
Popular media image is frequently lagging actual state of affairs by several decades. IC design have peaked in 2001, and semiconductor device design around ~1995. Main driving forces for decline are programmable logic proliferation and device fabrication costs ballooning, respectively.
Some new related areas with later peak time have appeared though - photonics, MEMS, meta-materials, spintronics to name a few.
 
mpresic3 said:
When I was taking graduate solid state physics in the early 1980s, there were MANY EE graduate students in my class. They all graduated with EE graduate degrees and got jobs in device fabrication.

That's very interesting actually . I thought most EEs would be interested mainly in design .
Have you been in touch with any of them till now ? I'm wondering if their job is solely focused on fabrication or they might participate in design as well .

trurle said:
Popular media image is frequently lagging actual state of affairs by several decades. IC design have peaked in 2001, and semiconductor device design around ~1995. Main driving forces for decline are programmable logic proliferation and device fabrication costs ballooning, respectively.
Some new related areas with later peak time have appeared though - photonics, MEMS, meta-materials, spintronics to name a few.

Wow,good to know that.I had a very different perspective on how things are. So basically focusing on new tech would be a safer career choice ? I'm interested in lots of stuff like organic electronics,photonic ICs , spintronics and more . What is a typical job title for an EE focusing on new tech like this ? It looks like R&D to me,but is it ?
 
I have been in touch with a few. Many are now mid-level in their careers and are now more into management than in design or fabrication. Some EE's I knew worked in design when they started and some with materials background chose fabrication, or packaging.
 
Avaro667 said:
So basically focusing on new tech would be a safer career choice ? I'm interested in lots of stuff like organic electronics,photonic ICs , spintronics and more . What is a typical job title for an EE focusing on new tech like this ? It looks like R&D to me,but is it ?
Not entirely safe (nobody guarantees your selected field will not be sidelined while you are learning), but at least less competition and better teachers are expected in new fields without established curriculums.
 
mpresic3 said:
I have been in touch with a few. Many are now mid-level in their careers and are now more into management than in design or fabrication. Some EE's I knew worked in design when they started and some with materials background chose fabrication, or packaging.

Did they have to move into management positions or it was a personal choice ?
As i was afraid it sounds like they focused on either design or materials/fabrication . Did you take the graduate course as a physicist or as an engineer ?

trurle said:
Not entirely safe (nobody guarantees your selected field will not be sidelined while you are learning), but at least less competition and better teachers are expected in new fields without established curriculums.

Yup,i understand that there's always the risk what you learned be in decline or in incline if you're lucky .
Well i like research,and if you're saying photonic tech is a new field,i suppose it worths trying . I also like Quantum Computers but I'm pretty sure competition there is even more harder,isn't it ?
 
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  • #10
Avaro667 said:
.. photonic tech is a new field,i suppose it worths trying . I also like Quantum Computers but I'm pretty sure competition there is even more harder,isn't it ?
a.f.a.i.k., photonics may be a good choice. Quantum computing is risky because in last 20 years progress from lab tests to commercial goods have failed to materialize.
 
  • #11
trurle said:
a.f.a.i.k., photonics may be a good choice. Quantum computing is risky because in last 20 years progress from lab tests to commercial goods have failed to materialize.

It makes sense,they're not supposed to be around anytime soon in our homes 😄 . IBM has allowed access to their Q computers though,i think they're trying to figure out what people could do with them beyond research . It will be fun indeed to see what people will come up with .By the way I have a course called Quantum Electronics,but it will focus on things like spintronics right ?

We also have separate courses for nanoelectronics, optoelectronics & photonics . Any idea how optoelectronics and photonics could differ ?
 

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