Engineering with physics in mind

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of transitioning from an engineering undergraduate program to a physics master's degree, particularly for a student in India. It explores the feasibility of self-studying physics alongside an engineering degree and the implications of choosing specific engineering branches in relation to pursuing physics later.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the possibility of switching from engineering to physics for a master's degree and seeks advice on which engineering branch would be most beneficial for this transition.
  • Another participant suggests specializing in nuclear engineering as a potential path for graduate studies.
  • A different participant proposes engineering physics as a branch that might facilitate the transition to physics, although they note the limited availability of such programs in India.
  • Concerns are raised about the rigidity of engineering programs in India, which may limit options for pursuing physics-related studies.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about how well an electrical engineering degree aligns with their aspirations to study physics at the master's level, particularly regarding the possibility of self-studying physics concurrently.
  • Another participant mentions the popularity of engineering physics and its broad applicability, but also notes the difficulty of gaining admission to such programs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the best engineering branch to choose and the feasibility of self-studying physics. There is no consensus on whether engineering alone would suffice for a transition to a physics master's program.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations related to the availability of flexible engineering programs in India and the challenges faced by the original poster in pursuing their interests in physics.

Wisey
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Right now, I kind of only have the option of doing engineering for my bachelor degree, but am more interested in physics. Is it possible for me to do my engineering course, and study a full fledged physics course on my own at the same time?

Or even before that, is it possible for me to switch from engineering to physics for my master's degree? I would be giving my GRE after a couple of years, and would probably be wanting to get into a good university abroad(I am from India), I need to prepare for that as well, but I feel all that would be meaningless if I can't actually study the subject I am interested in for my Master's degree.

So my queries basically are:

1. Is it possible for me to switch from engineering to physics for my Master's degree. If so, which branch of engineering should I opt for? I am interested in theoretical physics, but I really don't have much idea about how much practical use it is put to, maybe I would rather study something which has more immediate consequences, something like nuclear energy. I really don't know, but if I chose say, electrical engineering, would it be possible for me to do my Master's degree in physics on such topics like I mentioned before?

2. If engineering alone wouldn't be enough, is it possible for me to make up by studying physics on my own? If this is possible, which branch of engineering should I choose to make it a lot easier for myself?

Any help will be appreciated. :smile:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Why not specialize in nuclear engineering in grad school?
 
Wisey said:
2. If engineering alone wouldn't be enough, is it possible for me to make up by studying physics on my own? If this is possible, which branch of engineering should I choose to make it a lot easier for myself?

Engineering physics?
 
Well those courses would be valid options, but I have to do my Bachelor degree in India, and I can't find such courses in the colleges over here. Courses here aren't flexible at all, and you only have several fixed courses that you can study, like Electrical and Electronics engineering, or Computer Science and Engineering.
I found engineering physics only in a few of the Indian Institutes of Technology, but I haven't done well enough in the entrance exam to clear it.

I think considering my circumstances, electrical engineering may be a good bet, (especially since I am also interested in engineering, just that I find physics to be my calling). I just am not sure how well that goes with my plan to do physics for my masters degree, or whether it is possible or not to study a physics course on my own simultaneously with my engineering course.
 
there's a subject called engineering physics. its very popular and you can work everywhere. hard to get in though.
 

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