If I want to be a Engineer with the same level knowledge as a physicist

[Eng_physicist]

I want to one day become a Engineer but I also want to have the level of in depth knowledge about theoretical physics that a physicist would have I have applied to University and have so far been accepted for
Medical Physics,(Ryerson)
Electrical Engineering, (Ryerson)
Space Engineering, (York)

Engineering Physics, Physics and Astronomy have not gotten back to me I would like to study Engineering Physics but as my back up which would be the best way to go
Space Engineering and a Masters in Physics and Astronomy
or start with Physics then get Masters in Engineering
and also my Universities do not allow me to double major for Engineering any thoughts are welcome but I ask this does not become a York vs. Ryerson thread I have checked both programs out and they are both accredited and I like them both. I like studying space and I understand that Engineers tend to apply the knowledge while Physicists are more theoretical if there is another option, feel free to state it.

 

[shelovesmath]

I think Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory would come up with some sort of snide remark about this.

 

[Eng_physicist]

I think Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory would come up with some sort of snide remark about this.

What do you mean?

 

[shelovesmath]

What do mean?

Just a silly reference to a sitcom.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Usually a "physicist" is someone with a PhD in physics. If you want to know as much as one, you need to go through the same sort of training.

 

[Eng_physicist]

Usually a "physicist" is someone with a PhD in physics. If you want to know as much as one, you need to go through the same sort of training.

I understand what you mean and I do want that type of training but I also want to be a Engineer with that type of training. But what I mean is that which is the best way to gain that sort of knowledge if I want to have the knowledge that a Physics and a Engineering undergrad would give you. Which path I suppose would be better to start with a Engineering Undergrad and then do a Masters in Physics, or to do a Physics Undergrad and then do a Masters in Engineering.

 

[viscousflow]

Umm I think the best solution to this is simply a degree in Engineering Physics then branch out from there.

 

[Eng_physicist]

Umm I think the best solution to this is simply a degree in Engineering Physics then branch out from there.

What if I can't take that route I am unsure at this moment if I will be able to to do Engineering Physics as a undergrad what would recommend as another way to learn the same knowledge base.

 

[viscousflow]

It all boils down to what you want to do. Are you interested in propulsion? Controls? Dynamics? Mechanics? After you decide that then start off in any program that has one. Later on you complete your masters in a cross disciplinary area.

I have a friend doing something similar. He was interested in Plasma Propulsion so he started off with a BSc AE (concentration: Propulsion) then will go into do his MSc Phys. (concentration: Plasma Physics).

But if you're looking to have the knowledge just for kicks then keep getting degrees until you have a PhD Eng and Phd Phys.

 

[Angry Citizen]

If you want to spend a decade and a half of your life getting degrees, then you can be an engineer with the same knowledge as a physicist. Good luck.

 

[Leveret]

There is a simple way to be an engineer with the knowledge of a theoretical physicist: get a degree in engineering, and get a degree in theoretical physics. If it were possible to acquire that kind of physics background while skipping part of the standard physics curriculum, then that part would not be in the standard physics curriculum.

Unless you don't care about being a "good" theoretical physicist? If you just want to have a precursory, perhaps functional on a non-academic level, knowledge of physics, you could minor or double major in it, or even take it up as a hobby. But bear in mind that what you get out of it strongly depends on what you're willing to put in.

 

[twofish-quant]

Also, what sort of physics do you want knowledge in? Physics is something in which you know more and more about less and less so that you end up being a hyperspecialist in one area while knowing nothing about something else.

I don't know of anyone that has in-depth knowledge of "theoretical physics." People have in-depth knowledge about one particular (and sometimes very, very particular part) of theoretical physics.

 

[Dembadon]

What if I can't take that route I am unsure at this moment if I will be able to to do Engineering Physics as a undergrad what would recommend as another way to learn the same knowledge base.

Why not obtain a bachelor's in Physics and then make your decision after that? Usually a B.S. in Physics is sufficient preparation for graduate studies in either physics or engineering.

 

[DrummingAtom]

I'm surprised no one has recommended fields that straddle engineering and physics. I only know fields in EE such as photonics, semiconductors, and accelerator physics (the last which I really don't know much about but have heard it before.) Surely, there are fields within each engineering discipline that are more physics savvy.

To the OP, why are your choices so extreme? As others have pointed out, doing both is near impossible.

 

[Diracula]

I want to one day become a Engineer

(Since you said your university won't let you double major as an engineering student)

Based on the quoted statement; my suggestion: get your degree(s) in engineering. If you plan on going to graduate school, perhaps you can do your undergrad in physics and graduate in engineering. Look to see if graduate schools that you may be interested in going to have a preference for engineering over physics undergrads. If it's not a strong preference, you could probably do undergrad physics then graduate engineering. (If you find physics more interesting, graduate adcoms don't show a preference, and you plan on going to graduate school, I think this is a good option).

The reason I think you should get your degree in engineering over physics if you want to be an engineer is simple: the degree is what other people see when they are deciding whether to hire you or not. Thus an engineering degree will be at an advantage over a physics degree for engineering work, USUALLY. There are probably rare exceptions. Save yourself a lot of stress when trying to find engineering work by getting that engineering degree.

Study theoretical physics in your spare time if you really like it. You can get an education from books and thinking about things yourself. You can't get a degree this way, and a degree is what employers see on your resume.

 

[Shaun_W]

What do you want most - to be an engineer or have the same level of knowledge of theoretical physics as a physicist? If it's the former, then study engineering and then learn physics in your own time once you have found work. If it's the later, do a PhD in some area of physics and then apply for engineering jobs.

 

[Eng_physicist]

It all boils down to what you want to do. Are you interested in propulsion? Controls? Dynamics? Mechanics? After you decide that then start off in any program that has one. Later on you complete your masters in a cross disciplinary area.

I have a friend doing something similar. He was interested in Plasma Propulsion so he started off with a BSc AE (concentration: Propulsion) then will go into do his MSc Phys. (concentration: Plasma Physics).

But if you're looking to have the knowledge just for kicks then keep getting degrees until you have a PhD Eng and Phd Phys.

I am interested in Space Technology like Robots and Propulsion but I want a better understanding of Physics

 

[Eng_physicist]

If you want to spend a decade and a half of your life getting degrees, then you can be an engineer with the same knowledge as a physicist. Good luck.

If could I actually would like to do that LOL

 

[Eng_physicist]

There is a simple way to be an engineer with the knowledge of a theoretical physicist: get a degree in engineering, and get a degree in theoretical physics. If it were possible to acquire that kind of physics background while skipping part of the standard physics curriculum, then that part would not be in the standard physics curriculum.

Unless you don't care about being a "good" theoretical physicist? If you just want to have a precursory, perhaps functional on a non-academic level, knowledge of physics, you could minor or double major in it, or even take it up as a hobby. But bear in mind that what you get out of it strongly depends on what you're willing to put in.

I want to have better grasp of concepts in Theoretical Physics and I want have enough of a background into be able to understand at a level that most Engineers would not know about

 

[Eng_physicist]

Also, what sort of physics do you want knowledge in? Physics is something in which you know more and more about less and less so that you end up being a hyperspecialist in one area while knowing nothing about something else.

I don't know of anyone that has in-depth knowledge of "theoretical physics." People have in-depth knowledge about one particular (and sometimes very, very particular part) of theoretical physics.

I want a intuitive knowledge in Theoretical Physics I don't want to specialize too much but I want a good enough understanding of the concept in Physics that a Physicist who studied Physics around a MSc level would understand them I am interested in the Astronomy stream of Physics

 

[Eng_physicist]

I'm surprised no one has recommended fields that straddle engineering and physics. I only know fields in EE such as photonics, semiconductors, and accelerator physics (the last which I really don't know much about but have heard it before.) Surely, there are fields within each engineering discipline that are more physics savvy.

This some thing like what I was getting at I want to study Engineering fields which are more Physics savvy so I get a more comprehensive background in both fields

 

[Eng_physicist]

What do you want most - to be an engineer or have the same level of knowledge of theoretical physics as a physicist? If it's the former, then study engineering and then learn physics in your own time once you have found work. If it's the later, do a PhD in some area of physics and then apply for engineering jobs.

But aren't there more interdisciplinary fields where I could get a education in both?

 

[twofish-quant]

I want a intuitive knowledge in Theoretical Physics I don't want to specialize too much but I want a good enough understanding of the concept in Physics that a Physicist who studied Physics around a MSc level would understand them I am interested in the Astronomy stream of Physics

To do that you just need to take a few graduate courses in the area that you are interested in, or buy some books from Amazon.

But I think you are assuming some things about how physicists think that aren't correct. Physicists aren't physicists because they've taken more classes or "know more stuff." It's very common for engineers to know more about a particular topic than a physicist. You seem to be assuming that physicists "know more" than engineers, and that often is just not true.

Just to use an analogy. You don't end up being a poet or a painter by just reading books on art history. These are helpful, but you can be a very good poet with knowing some very basic things in those areas.

 

[viscousflow]

To do that you just need to take a few graduate courses in the area that you are interested in, or buy some books from Amazon.

But I think you are assuming some things about how physicists think that aren't correct. Physicists aren't physicists because they've taken more classes or "know more stuff." It's very common for engineers to know more about a particular topic than a physicist. You seem to be assuming that physicists "know more" than engineers, and that often is just not true.

Just to use an analogy. You don't end up being a poet or a painter by just reading books on art history. These are helpful, but you can be a very good poet with knowing some very basic things in those areas.

I second this

I am interested in Space Technology like Robots and Propulsion but I want a better understanding of Physics

As everyone stated, physics is indeed a broad subject, you need to break it down and see what interests you most. Engineers also have to have a deep grasp of 'Physics', especially the physics of what they're designing.

What I recommend is for you take courses such as: Controls, Propulsion, Modern Physics and see which you like best. When you get a sample of each of these you should (or probably should) start leaning to one (or a few) subjects of interest which will most likely drive the decisions that will define your career.

 

[NT123]

I would suggest an engineering degree while reading up on the physics you wish to learn in your spare time - I don't believe university education to be essential for learning if you're motivated. However, if you wish to be a practicing engineer or pursue an engineering PhD, an engineering degree will be more desirable than a physics degree.