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tautology
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I'm going to proceed to give enough background information as possible to help inform any advice. Basically, I picked a major and now I'm in third year I'm second guessing it. This link gives a list of course codes for courses I will be taking if you need specifics.
http://registrar.mcmaster.ca/calendar/current/pg1217.html
(N-stream)
I'm in third year, doing my second semester in engineering physics at a not-too-bad university in Canada. This major is subdivided into nanotechnology, photonics and nuclear engineering. I am in nuclear engineering and have no interest in the other two. The problem is many of the courses that are shared between all the engineering physics students are geared towards photonics and nanotechnology. We take a fairly diverse selection of courses. I would best describe it as a compromise between a physics and an engineering degree, hence the name.
I've noticed that many other universities pair nuclear engineering with mechanical engineering, often as a graduate program. I'm wondering if instead I should have done mechanical engineering and taken a whole slew of nuclear eng electives. In addition, a large number of job postings at nuclear companies want mechanical engineers. I'm starting to wonder how many 'nuclear engineers' are even hired.
I went into engineering as opposed to physics because I thought it was more likely to land me a good job. Physics and math are like catnip to me, so I have no general objection to taking these courses. I'm very worried that despite my excellent academic skills, ambition and motivation that my career is going to be destroyed because I chose to indulge in interesting physics/math courses in undergrad.
Should I turn back now and go for mechanical (it will delay graduation by one year)? Should I stay the course? I have always know I wanted to go to grad school. Would it be a good idea to switch into a more traditional engineering discipline when I apply?
Every comment is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
http://registrar.mcmaster.ca/calendar/current/pg1217.html
(N-stream)
I'm in third year, doing my second semester in engineering physics at a not-too-bad university in Canada. This major is subdivided into nanotechnology, photonics and nuclear engineering. I am in nuclear engineering and have no interest in the other two. The problem is many of the courses that are shared between all the engineering physics students are geared towards photonics and nanotechnology. We take a fairly diverse selection of courses. I would best describe it as a compromise between a physics and an engineering degree, hence the name.
I've noticed that many other universities pair nuclear engineering with mechanical engineering, often as a graduate program. I'm wondering if instead I should have done mechanical engineering and taken a whole slew of nuclear eng electives. In addition, a large number of job postings at nuclear companies want mechanical engineers. I'm starting to wonder how many 'nuclear engineers' are even hired.
I went into engineering as opposed to physics because I thought it was more likely to land me a good job. Physics and math are like catnip to me, so I have no general objection to taking these courses. I'm very worried that despite my excellent academic skills, ambition and motivation that my career is going to be destroyed because I chose to indulge in interesting physics/math courses in undergrad.
Should I turn back now and go for mechanical (it will delay graduation by one year)? Should I stay the course? I have always know I wanted to go to grad school. Would it be a good idea to switch into a more traditional engineering discipline when I apply?
Every comment is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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