How different is L&S from an engineering program?

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Colleges often differentiate between engineering programs and liberal arts and sciences (L&S) programs, which can create confusion for prospective students. Engineering programs typically focus on applied sciences and technical skills, preparing students for specific careers in fields like civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering. In contrast, L&S programs, such as physics, emphasize theoretical knowledge and broader scientific principles, which can lead to diverse career paths, including research, education, or interdisciplinary fields. The choice between these programs can significantly influence career options, but it's important to note that many institutions offer flexibility, allowing students to switch majors or pursue interdisciplinary studies. Ultimately, the decision should consider personal interests and career aspirations rather than feeling constrained by the initial choice of program.
joej24
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The colleges I have been looking to apply to seem to have different schools/programs for engineering and sciences(L&S). How different are these programs for majors for such as physics and engineering? I've never done any sort of engineering in high school so I can't really make an educated decision. I hope my career and job options aren't set just from a mere decision of picking one program over the other.
 
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Depends on the institution.
 

Thread 'How do physicists practically switch fields to non-adjacent subfields?'

Hi all, Hope you are doing well. I'm a current grad student in applied geophysics and will finish my PhD in about 2 years (previously did a HBSc in Physics, did research in exp. quantum optics). I chose my current field because of its practicality and its clear connection to industry, not out of passion (a clear mistake). I notice that a lot of people (colleagues) switch to different subfields of physics once they graduate and enter post docs. But 95% of these cases fall into either of...
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