Engineering Fields Close to Physics: Engineering Physics & Photonics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between engineering fields and physics, specifically focusing on engineering physics and photonics engineering. Participants explore whether experts in these fields can be considered physicists and discuss various engineering disciplines that incorporate physics principles.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that to be considered a physicist, one should pursue a degree in physics, while others argue that many engineering fields heavily utilize physics principles.
  • Examples of engineering fields that incorporate physics include materials science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and aerospace engineering.
  • One participant mentions that the proximity of an engineering field to physics depends on the specific specialty within that field.
  • There is a suggestion that while engineering work is often more applied than in pure physics departments, fields like aerospace involve pure physics concepts such as orbital trajectory analysis.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of personal interest in physics over labels, noting that individuals from various engineering backgrounds can possess physics knowledge.
  • A computer engineering student expresses a desire to integrate physics into their future work, seeking advice on how to do so.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on which engineering field is closest to physics, with multiple competing views presented regarding the relationship between engineering and physics.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying opinions on the definitions of physicists and the application of physics in engineering, indicating that the discussion is influenced by personal experiences and educational backgrounds.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the intersection of engineering and physics, particularly students and professionals in engineering fields who wish to incorporate physics into their work.

nebbione
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Which is the engineering field more close to physics ?
I heard about engineering physics...
And even about photonics engineering, are experts in these fields to be considered even physicists ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you want to be considered a physicist then you should do physics.

Many fields of engineering have specialties that use a lot of physics. Examples:

materials science/engineering: many branches are applied solid state physics

electrical engineering: electromagnetics; photonics; semiconductor physics; plasma physics (in some departments)

mechanical engineering / theoretical and applied mechanics: mechanics (of course); fluid dynamics; solid mechanics (elasticity, fracture mechanics, etc).

engineering physics: while I know quite a few schools have majors in this, I am only familiar with one of them. They did plasma physics; optics; biophysics; etc.

I'm sure others exist. You cannot pinpoint one as being "closest" to physics. It greatly depends upon the specialty within the fields... If you are interested in 19th and 20th century classical physics then clearly mechanical and electrical engineering have nice options; for more modern physics electrical and materials have nice options. But the work and research is usually more applied than what you will find in a pure physics department.

jason
 
I'm sure others exist.

Aerospace --> Orbital Trajectory analysis. It's not new physics, but it's pure physics nonetheless.
 
nebbione said:
Which is the engineering field more close to physics ?
I heard about engineering physics...
And even about photonics engineering, are experts in these fields to be considered even physicists ?

I can tell you're thinking in terms of labels. I've met CS, math, EE, ME, systems engineers, and technicians that could pass off as physicists and physics degree holders that still think the acceleration of gravity is zero at the max height of a ball thrown into the air.. Do what you find interesting and throw in some physics then learn it deeply.
 
@ SophusLies

Thank you! I'm a computer engineering student and i would like to put a lot of physics in my future work, because physics is my passion. Any advice ?
 

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