Masters after a degree in Physics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential pathways for pursuing a Master's degree in fields related to robotics and engineering after completing a Bachelor's degree in Applied Physics. Participants explore various educational options and share insights about their interests in robotics, electronics, and tinkering.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a strong interest in robotics and tinkering, seeking recommendations for Master's programs that align with their aspirations, particularly in relation to the work of Grant Imahara.
  • Another participant suggests that a Master's in Electrical Engineering (EE) could be a suitable path, noting that Grant Imahara has a background in EE.
  • A different participant questions the relevance of EE in their local context, indicating that robotics may not be a focus in the undergraduate EE curriculum at their institution.
  • One contributor mentions that robotics is typically a shared research field between Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, suggesting that both disciplines could be relevant.
  • A later reply indicates that if the participant plans to study abroad, robotics is likely to be included in graduate programs in EE or Mechanical Engineering in countries like the US, Canada, Australia, or EU nations.
  • The original poster expresses a preference for pursuing graduate studies in a foreign country.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best path forward, with differing views on the relevance of Electrical Engineering to robotics and the availability of robotics programs in their local context versus abroad.

Contextual Notes

There are uncertainties regarding the specific curriculum offerings in local institutions and the extent to which robotics is integrated into graduate programs in different countries.

Egoist
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This would be my debut here, so no idea if I'm posting in the wrong neighborhood.

Anyway, here's my story: I've been a tinkerer ever since - I would butcher appliances up and keep those magnets/coil guts, I fixed some toys too. I enjoyed building things. Electronics and Mechatronics/Robotics currently fascinates me. :!)

So now, here I am with just a few more semesters before graduating. I'm taking up B.S. in Applied physics in a local university. Since there's no Mech Eng available here, I took up a Physics degree instead - Major in Instrumentation (they do no robots in EE). My upperclassmen did theses like quadcopter, telescopes, basic drones, etc. so I think I'm on the right path.

I plan to enter grad school after, so can you guys recommend some Master's degree I could take? To give you an idea, look for Grant Imahara. I like what he does - I mean he builds robots and stuffs, he do machines and tinkering. I want a job about these things. Any MS degree out there to make me fit enough to do what Grant does? These Instrumentation courses of mine won't suffice.



Thank you.
 
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Egoist said:
This would be my debut here, so no idea if I'm posting in the wrong neighborhood.

Anyway, here's my story: I've been a tinkerer ever since - I would butcher appliances up and keep those magnets/coil guts, I fixed some toys too. I enjoyed building things. Electronics and Mechatronics/Robotics currently fascinates me. :!)

So now, here I am with just a few more semesters before graduating. I'm taking up B.S. in Applied physics in a local university. Since there's no Mech Eng available here, I took up a Physics degree instead - Major in Instrumentation (they do no robots in EE). My upperclassmen did theses like quadcopter, telescopes, basic drones, etc. so I think I'm on the right path.

I plan to enter grad school after, so can you guys recommend some Master's degree I could take? To give you an idea, look for Grant Imahara. I like what he does - I mean he builds robots and stuffs, he do machines and tinkering. I want a job about these things. Any MS degree out there to make me fit enough to do what Grant does? These Instrumentation courses of mine won't suffice.



Thank you.

I know who Grant Imahara is (I'm a fan of Mythbusters). From what I've read, he has a BS in EE, so for someone like yourself, perhaps a MS in EE may lead to what you're looking for?
 
I only have a slight idea what is tackled in EE, but as mentioned, the EE people here don't work on robotics (which is the field I want). I don't know if BS/MS EE in other colleges engages in Robotics. But since I'm in the 3rd world, I doubt that.
 
Egoist,

I don't know where specifically you are physically based, but to my knowledge, robotics is a research field that is shared between electrical and mechanical engineering, with each focusing on slightly different things. I used to work as a statistician for an engineering company specializing in robotics and the majority of engineers who worked there were either EE or ME.

I would think that if robotics is not covered in the undergraduate EE curriculum where you study, it could be covered in the graduate program, assuming you intend to pursue your graduate studies in your home country. If you intend on pursuing graduate studies in say, the US, Canada, Australia or any of the EU countries, I can pretty much guarantee that robotics will be covered in the masters electrical or mechanical engineering programs.
 
That's nice to hear...
And to be honest, I really prefer to do my graduate study in a foreign land.
 

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