Help please I got no time left. Physics Vs Electrical Engineering

[brno17]

I have only 2 weeks left before I have to submit in my university application.

After the 100000000s of majors I wanted to major in I finally narrowed the to two; Electrical Engineering and Physics.

I chose Elec. Eng because I wanted to take over my dad business (electric motors, transformers etc) It has to do with a lot of electrical stuff.

I chose physics because I like physics, I just love its concepts and knowing why this things acts this way. ALSO it has electricity and magnetism in it so I can still pursue my dads buisness, and work as a prof or something.

My question is for all you elec eng. and physics people, what do you learn that will help me with electric motors.

My dads job is just like a mechanic but the engines are electrical and they are 80% of the problem. There is a lot of physics into my dads work torque etc.

 

[physiker_192]

Did you try looking into an Engineering Physics degree ?

When it comes to electricity and motors, you don't need a complete degree to work with them, unless you want to do specialized work or research.
My point being: you only need a few courses from EE (electrical engineering) to deal with motors (e.g. 3 phase systems, electrical machines & systems), and you can attend those as an extra or as part of the engineering physics degree (can be also called applied physics).

 

[xxsteelxx]

Go for Electrical Engineering. It's easier to switch from EE to Physics. But it's harder to switch from Physics to EE.
Why?
+More Job Prospects
+Can go to Graduate School for Physics, Math, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering . . .
+Will help you understand your father's work/business better!
+Can become a professor >>> Go to Grad School for EE >>> Get a Ph.D in EE. Better chance of becoming a Professor at University for EE than for Physics. (Many People get Ph.D and don't have very nice job prospects-unless you want to teach at High School).

What does an Electrical Engineer do?
"Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment. Some of this equipment includes electric motors; machinery controls, lighting, and wiring in buildings; radar and navigation systems; communications systems; and power generation, control, and transmission devices used by electric utilities. Electrical engineers also design the electrical systems of automobiles and aircraft. Although the terms electrical and electronics engineering often are used interchangeably in academia and industry, electrical engineers traditionally have focused on the generation and supply of power, whereas electronics engineers have worked on applications of electricity to control systems or signal processing. Electrical engineers specialize in areas such as power systems engineering or electrical equipment manufacturing." http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm


Job Outlook
"Electrical engineers are expected to have employment growth of 2 percent over the projections decade. Although strong demand for electrical devices—including electric power generators, wireless phone transmitters, high-density batteries, and navigation systems—should spur job growth, international competition and the use of engineering services performed in other countries will limit employment growth. Electrical engineers working in firms providing engineering expertise and design services to manufacturers should have better job prospects. " http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm

Salary Comparison
EE make about $50,000 starting salary. "www.bls.gov"
Physics professor makes about $43,000 starting salary. (If you actually find a job as a prof, otherwise you'll probably start out as Teacher Assistant who start out w/ $30,000)
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes251054.htm

Note
Getting a job as Prof(which is what many Physics majors pursue) is becoming more difficult.

Your Dad's business
I'm pretty sure any track you choose will suffice. (Obviously EE will be much better if you actually want to design or improve electric motors)

Well I hope you choose wisely. Go for EE, you can always switch back to Physics if you think you will get more out of it. I had a similar situation as the one you have right now. And I believe going for EE was the right one. :)

 

[MECHster]

I am assuming that for your Dads business you would need to be a Professional Engineer, thus EE would be an easier path. You would still take physics classes and deal with physics in your EE classes.

 

[tiny-tim]

hi brno17!

not trying to put you off physics, but …

unless your dad is near retirement age, why not do accountancy or business management, and help him to expand the business so that it needs two people?

 

[KillaKem]

@xxsteelxx

I know a few guys with Physics PhD's making $250k+ working in Financial institutions in NY.

 

[Dr Lots-o'watts]

@xxsteelxx

I know a few guys with Physics PhD's making $250k+ working in Financial institutions in NY.

That's pretty much what you need if you want to live there!

@brno17, I'd consider the fact that electric motors are probably designed mostly be EE's.

 

[yy.toh]

I have only 2 weeks left before I have to submit in my university application.

After the 100000000s of majors I wanted to major in I finally narrowed the to two; Electrical Engineering and Physics.

I chose Elec. Eng because I wanted to take over my dad business (electric motors, transformers etc) It has to do with a lot of electrical stuff.

I chose physics because I like physics, I just love its concepts and knowing why this things acts this way. ALSO it has electricity and magnetism in it so I can still pursue my dads buisness, and work as a prof or something.

My question is for all you elec eng. and physics people, what do you learn that will help me with electric motors.

My dads job is just like a mechanic but the engines are electrical and they are 80% of the problem. There is a lot of physics into my dads work torque etc.

If you want to work in the field of electrical power I suggest you to take the EE.
If you want to work on the component research level I suggest you take physics.

I am a graduate in physics worked in electrical power firm before I know the different best.
best regards

 

[Ashuron]

EE will probably suit you better..
The alternative is Mechanical engineering..

I am doing my Physics Bsc.,
I don't think I learn anything that directly applicable to electric motors engineering.
Plus, as others said being Physics major is tough.
Professorship (or other high-paying jobs) especially doesn't come easy at all.

Then again, in this economy, it seems every major has its own difficulties.

 

[neduet89]

just go for your interest! by the way i m doing in electrical!