Engineering Physics or Pure Physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparison between Engineering Physics (EP) and Pure Physics, focusing on career prospects, academic pathways, and the orientation of the disciplines. Participants explore the implications of choosing one field over the other, particularly in relation to pursuing a Ph.D. in physics and the nature of the coursework involved.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Engineering Physics may offer more job opportunities compared to Pure Physics, influencing their decision-making.
  • It is proposed that obtaining a Ph.D. in physics after completing a degree in Engineering Physics is possible, provided the student has taken sufficient relevant courses.
  • One participant notes that the orientation of an Engineering Physics degree can vary based on personal interests, indicating that students may focus more on physics or engineering topics depending on their preferences.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the specific program can greatly influence whether the degree is more engineering or physics oriented, with some programs allowing for a customizable path.
  • Concerns are raised about the depth of mathematical training in Engineering Physics compared to Pure Physics, with one participant noting they feel less versed in advanced mathematics.
  • Job market considerations are discussed, with a participant suggesting that while Engineering Physics provides valuable skills, a degree in Pure Engineering may be more advantageous for certain job opportunities.
  • Definitions of Pure Physics and Engineering Physics are debated, with one participant characterizing Pure Physics as theoretical and focused on understanding the universe, while Engineering Physics is seen as applying physics concepts to practical problems.
  • Clarification is sought on categorizing various branches of physics, such as condensed matter and atomic physics, as either Pure or Engineering Physics based on their application or research focus.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the orientation of Engineering Physics versus Pure Physics, the implications for career paths, and the depth of mathematical training. There is no consensus on the categorization of specific physics branches as purely one or the other.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that the definitions and orientations of Engineering Physics and Pure Physics can depend on individual programs and personal interests, which may influence the educational experience and career outcomes.

baouba
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The title says it all.

Engineering physicists have more job options than a regular physicist I hear so I'm kind of leaning towards that. Is it possible to get a Ph.D. in physics after a degree in EP? I only ask because physics is my passion but I also like engineering.

Also is EP more engineering or physics oriented?

Thanks so much!
 
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Yes so long as you have taken a sufficient number of courses and possesses the knowledge base to success in your graduate physics classes. I'm in engineering but a physicist a heart. I guess my advice to you would go with your gut feeling. You can do whatever you want if you're willing to put in the time.
 
I think you'll find that engineering physics will be more oriented towards whichever topics you find the most interesting. If you like physics, you'll probably study a lot harder for the physics parts of classes rather than the design parts, thus making your degree more physics oriented than engineering oriented.
 
Honestly, it really depends on the program. Some programs would be more engineering oriented while some would be more physics oriented while some would be a sort of choose your own path.

I'm studying engineering physics at UofT right now and I am definitely taking a lot of high level physics courses, I think just as many as the physics majors and physics specialists. I will most likely be doing a physics PhD.

The one thing I do not get that physics specialists get is the deep math background. I am not as well versed in math as a lot of my physics counterparts. That said, I have no trouble picking up the math I need for pretty much all physics topics I study.

Unless you plan on doing string theory or something highly theoretical/math related, you are probably pretty safe getting a eng phys degree.

In terms of job options, it is really hard to say. My eng phys program definitely gives me a much better electrical engineering background along with programming skills that I think make me much more employable over another physics student. That said, I don't think anyone would higher me over someone who has studied pure electrical engineering. If jobs are what you want, I suggest studying pure engineering. If you want to do physics, you should probably look towards at least getting an MS, and then whatever your bachelors was is not so important.
 
Your choice is great. Yes, it possible to get a Ph.D. in physics after a degree in EP. Many professors did so. For example, Michael E. Browne did so.
 
baouba said:
The title says it all.

Engineering physicists have more job options than a regular physicist I hear so I'm kind of leaning towards that. Is it possible to get a Ph.D. in physics after a degree in EP? I only ask because physics is my passion but I also like engineering.

Also is EP more engineering or physics oriented?

Thanks so much!

Can you explain to what YOU think "engineering physics" is and what "pure physics" is? Is condensed matter phys a pure physics or engineering physics? What about atomic and molecular physics? In fact, go through the APS divisions and let me know which is which.

Zz.
 
I regard pure physics as being just theoretical physics where the only goal is to understand the universe. I view Engineering Physics to be applying the concepts of physics to the real world to build and advance civilization.

I'm not going to go through every branch of physics labeling it 'pure' or 'EP' but condensed matter could be both. If your just studying it and doing research to learn more about the nature of condensed matter it's pure. If your applying those concepts and/or engineering with those concepts it's EP. The same goes for atomic and molecular physics.

I hope I've cleared things up about what I meant between pure physics and engineering physics.

(Also thanks for all the responses thus far!)
 

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