The discussion centers on the evaluation of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) for a Master's in Engineering Physics. Participants highlight that ERAU is well-regarded for aerospace engineering but express uncertainty about the ranking and quality of its physics department, particularly with the introduction of a new PhD track. The conversation emphasizes the importance of researching specific programs and professors rather than relying solely on degree labels, as the definition of "engineering physics" varies significantly across institutions. Participants recommend evaluating coursework and reaching out to faculty to ensure alignment with personal academic and career goals.
PREREQUISITESProspective graduate students in engineering physics, undergraduate students considering their options for advanced degrees, and individuals interested in the intersection of physics and engineering disciplines.
Mindscrape said:I know a professor at embry riddle, and also a student who did the masters you listed. I know that embry riddle is a destination school for aero engineers, but honestly even with the two physicists I know I have no idea how their physics department is ranked. This is the first year the physics department offers a PhD track, and I do not really know if that is for a reason or not. Still, if you want to go into an aero field, that's a great school for you.
Mindscrape said:Yeah, I didn't know there was another campus other than in Daytona. From what I gather the school is mostly split between pilots and engineers. If you did a degree there it would be heavily engineering oriented.
An engineering physicist designs, develops and supervises the construction of new equipment, applying the knowledge of engineering and physics to develop new engineering methods and principles. The engineering physicist completes the link between the pure scientist and the engineer by being able to understand the theory of science and to relate it to the practical problems of engineering. The University of Georgia's graduate certificate program in engineering physics is designed to give graduate students the opportunity to document their educational achievement in advanced engineering and physics. The program will be of special interest to students wishing to combine theoretical and practical understanding of the physical sciences and engineering systems.
Shackleford said:This is exactly my goal.
http://www.engr.uga.edu/degrees/physics.html
DrummingAtom said:That quote from that site is exactly what I want too, minus the biological and agricultural engineering. =) I'm an EE guy.
So you're interested in biological and agricultural engineering? You can probably find other programs that have professors from a physics background that specialize in those disciplines. At my university (undergrad), my EE department has several groups that are pretty much applied physics or "engineering physics" if you will. We also have a bunch of professors in EE that are physicists.
In my opinion, engineering physics seems like a strange label because it varies so much between universities. For instance, at my school an engineering physics degree is a physics degree with 2 engineering classes. Another school I was interested in has an engineering physics degree that is an engineering degree with 3 upper level physics classes.
If I were you I would start looking at the professors working in the programs you want, not the labels of the programs. Email those professors and see if it fits your interests. One of the EE professors I contacted at my school made me solidify my decision to do EE because he said "I would get plenty of physics" working with his group.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
Shackleford said:This is exactly my goal.
http://www.engr.uga.edu/degrees/physics.html
Mindscrape said:If that's your goal then ERAU would be a good school for you. Of course, you should do some research on what the current research projects are and talk with any professor who does research you'd be interested in.
The engineering physicist completes the link between the pure scientist and the engineer by being able to understand the theory of science and to relate it to the practical problems of engineering.
Shackleford said:Well, ERAU is limited to aerospace. There are no Engineering Physics graduate programs in Texas, according to my repeated search. Out-of-state schools are out-of-the-question since Out-of-State tuition is entirely cost-prohibitive. It kind of ticks me off.
Shackleford said:Well, ERAU is limited to aerospace. There are no Engineering Physics graduate programs in Texas, according to my repeated search. Out-of-state schools are out-of-the-question since Out-of-State tuition is entirely cost-prohibitive. It kind of ticks me off.
Mindscrape said:My advisers used to say that if you want a master's, apply to a PhD program and then leave after you've accomplished enough for your master's, would this work? I thought the master's in Daytona was funded through the school anyway, but maybe not with the new PhD program. What semester would you want to apply to? Most schools have already had their application deadlines for fall '11.