Physics and Engineering : What's better for me ?

[Ranzar]

I am still in high-school ,17 years old (almost 18) ,but I couldn't stop thinking about my future and what I should have my mind set on.

Last year ,I was in love with Aerospace physics.

But in the last two weeks ,I tend to like engineering ,building robots ,looking forward to doing projects like building spaceships. And I also like programming ,the idea of building a machine + building the program that is like it's brain is something that gets me VERY exited and helps me escape all the high-school attraction (girls ,fun etc) and concentrate on my studies.

But today ,my physics teacher talked to me about Quantum physics ,and the idea of understanding the very WHY tends me so much.

Thus ,I find myself lost ,I don't know what I want anymore ,and I know it's high-school and it's early but believe me ,it helps me to get my mind set on something ,and I can study better and have more confidence.

If it helps ,I want to know what should I think about being ? A physicist ? or an Engineer ? I want something that involves building things ,programming ,maybe Aerospace ,and using physics and the understanding of the how.


I know I can find the answer in my own ,but you guys are more used to these things ,and you might see clearer than me on what I really want.


Thanks :)

 

[fss]

How about you take a look at the informative and lengthy thread at the top of the forum?

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=15898

 

[clope023]

You sound more like an engineer to me, even if you don't become a physicist quantum is used in engineering as well (electrical, materials); aerospace is more of a mechanical engineering topic (unless you mean astronomy/astrophysics), but from what my physics major friends say about their classical mechanics class orbital mechanics is covered there too, plus most physics programs have room for electives where you can put extra physics or just math and engineering courses if you'd like (so you could fill those with areospace/astrophysics ones). Physics and engineering courses actually have a different flare and style you'd have to take both to see which ones you like, even as an engineer I spoiled myself for it by taking stuff like modern physics and complex analysis since they're actually more fun for me and my electrical engineering courses are somewhat bland comparatively. I've a few classmates who tell me they went into engineering for the math and I sometimes think they're in the wrong major, lol.

 

[chroot]

Hey Ranzar, you're in luck. The first couple years of an engineering degree have a lot of overlap with the first couple years of a physics degree. Consider starting with engineering, then transferring to physics if you love the first few years of physics classes.

- Warren

 

[Ranzar]

Thank you for your answers ,thank you guys for answering ,it really helped me settle down ,and I believe I am more of an Engineer material.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Warren is right - you don't need to decide now; you can wait until you have more experience with courses in both fields to make up your mind.

 

[Ranzar]

Well thank you :)

 

[Ranzar]

I'm reading daily "The Should-I-Become-An-Engineer? Thread" ,trying to read everything ,I'm on page 4 ,and so far ,I'm so attracted by ME and Aerospace Engineering.

 

[chroot]

Ranzar, sounds like a great plan. I'm glad we were able to put you at ease. :)

- Warren

 

[Ranzar]

Thank you :D You guys have indeed put me at ease :) And for that I am grateful :)Edit to add :

I had a Maths test today ,and I must say I saw a real rise in my self-confidence :)

 

[Chunkysalsa]

Yea you sound like an engineer to me. The first year or two is going to be the same no matter what you picked so you can comfortably see what you like better.


Also, for some OCD-like reason, putting spaces before the comma rather than after really really (really) bothers me >_>.

 

[Ranzar]

Yea you sound like an engineer to me. The first year or two is going to be the same no matter what you picked so you can comfortably see what you like better.


Also, for some OCD-like reason, putting spaces before the comma rather than after really really (really) bothers me >_>.

Well good to know, I won't use space before the comma again :)

 

[Astronuc]

One could also explore Engineering Physics which is somewhat of a hybrid program.

As Warren and V indicated there is time to explore both disciplines. Keep in mind that within engineering (which is really applied physics) and physics, there are subdivisions or specialties, and even within mechanical engineering there are specialties. The challenge is to find the area or areas that fits one's interests.

I do encourage engineering students to get as much physics as possible, i.e., take as many physics courses as possible. Ultimately, good engineering comes down to a good understanding of the physics of process/system.