Engineering Primer Texts for Physics Undergrads?

[DukeofDuke]

Hey PF,

I'm about to start my fourth year in physics, but I've recently been thinking about continuing my education in engineering rather than physics. The reason being I eventually want to go into international development, and engineering knowledge is much more useful to developing countries than physics knowledge is.

I want to dive into EE, Mech, and Civil. What are some good texts out there for someone with a relatively complete undergraduate physics background?

Also, please feel free to advise me in any way you can. Honestly, I only recently decided that academic physics wasn't for me. Unfortunately I know very little about anything else...

 

[TonyG]

First of all, congratulations on reaching your fourth year in physics! It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get to this point. It's great to hear that you have a passion for international development and are considering engineering as a way to contribute to this field. Engineering knowledge is indeed very valuable in developing countries, as it can be applied to real-world problems and have a direct impact on people's lives.

As for your question about recommended texts, it really depends on the specific field of engineering you are interested in. However, here are some general recommendations for someone with a background in physics:

- For electrical engineering, "Fundamentals of Electric Circuits" by Charles Alexander and Matthew Sadiku is a popular and comprehensive textbook.
- "Mechanics of Materials" by Ferdinand Beer and E. Russell Johnston Jr. is a widely used textbook for mechanical engineering.
- "Structural Analysis" by Russell C. Hibbeler is a good resource for civil engineering.

In addition to textbooks, I would also suggest looking into online resources such as MIT OpenCourseWare or Khan Academy, which offer free courses and lectures on various engineering topics.

As for advice, I would recommend doing some research on the different fields of engineering and their specific applications in international development. This will help you narrow down your interests and choose the most relevant courses and projects to pursue. Also, don't be afraid to reach out to professionals in the field and ask for their insights and advice.

Lastly, keep in mind that your physics background will still be valuable in engineering, as it provides a strong foundation in mathematics and problem-solving skills. Don't discount the knowledge and skills you have gained in your physics education, as they can be applied in various ways in engineering.

I wish you all the best in your academic and career pursuits. Keep exploring and following your passions!