Is it worth studying Electronics Engineering with Physics

[Freshnesh]

Hey everyone! I did the stupid mistake of doubling my Physics undergrad with Electronic Engineering. I just want to know, will studying EE contribute to much in practical as a Medical Physicist regardless of which area I go into? Is it better to have extensive knowledge of electronics or not?

 

[jedishrfu]

Of course, as a medical physicist you could be working on designing electronic equipment for diagnostic purposes.

https://www.aapm.org/medical_physicist/

and

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_physics

 

[CrysPhys]

Strange question. Unless you're doing theoretical calculations or simulations only, in most instances you will be working with electronics gear, regardless of the field you go into ... electronics is pervasive. [Strictly, simulations require electronic computers, but I'm not counting that.] Very few equipment these days is entirely mechanical, so electronics will be used in the control and operation of the equipment or for data acquisition. So a background in electronics engineering should hold you in good stead.

Even if you're majoring in physics, it's important to have some exposure to engineering. Physics (at least in the lower levels) focusses on ideal model systems to develop an understanding of fundamental principles. Real systems are often far more complex and are often approached via practical, pragmatic, phenomenological methods, as taught in engineering. A combo of physics and engineering gives you a more comprehensive approach to attacking problems.

 

[Henryk]

I did my Ph.D. in experimental physics. This called for building measuring circuits of all kinds.
Now I am a pretty good electronic designer, especially in the areas of precision analog circuits.
Also, as a physicist, I know very well how all the electronic devices work and I can use that knowledge to make very clever designs.

 

[Freshnesh]

Thank you all for the responses! Very much appreciated!

After sleeping over the thought I've decided to drop the engineering degree. I can do electronic subjects as electives later on in the degree so it does not worry me too much. I would like to concentrate on physics more than electronics as it has become, and will become, extremely overwhelming with the study-load. If I also do just physics I will be cutting down 3 years of spending time at uni which is really helpful given that I need to do the TEAP program where I live after getting my postgrad and that itself will take 3-5 years.

Once again thank you all for the responses and please feel free to through in your opinion into the discussion :)

 

[CrysPhys]

Thank you all for the responses! Very much appreciated!

After sleeping over the thought I've decided to drop the engineering degree. I can do electronic subjects as electives later on in the degree so it does not worry me too much. I would like to concentrate on physics more than electronics as it has become, and will become, extremely overwhelming with the study-load. If I also do just physics I will be cutting down 3 years of spending time at uni which is really helpful given that I need to do the TEAP program where I live after getting my postgrad and that itself will take 3-5 years.

Once again thank you all for the responses and please feel free to through in your opinion into the discussion :)

Oh, my interpretation of your first post was that you were already well into your double-major program and that you were questioning whether you had wasted your time.

OK, with the understanding that you have not yet started your program, then, yes, studying some electronics engineering will be useful (via elective courses), but there is no need to satisfy all the requirements for a formal double major.

 

[Freshnesh]

Oh, my interpretation of your first post was that you were already well into your double-major program and that you were questioning whether you had wasted your time

Well I'm well into my physics major but only just started the engineering. I'm one year and a half year away from graduating if I do just physics itself whereas it'll be an additional 3 and a half years with the engineering degree. By that time I can get the required postgrad (only 1.5 years full-time) and begin applying for TEAP positions if I drop engineering.

Hope this clarifies any confusion.