Physics into Comp Eng after BSc.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of transitioning from a Bachelor of Science in Physics to a Master's degree in Computer Engineering (CE). Participants explore concerns about admission requirements, professional status, and the compatibility of a physics background with engineering studies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a strong desire to complete a BSc in physics and questions the difficulty of entering a CE master's program afterward, wondering about the necessity of an undergraduate engineering degree.
  • Another participant suggests that the admission process may vary by school and encourages consulting with an academic advisor regarding specific programs and their entrance requirements.
  • A later reply indicates that the participant is still early in their academic journey and has not yet sought advice from advisors or researched schools, expressing concern about achieving professional status in engineering.
  • One participant shares a personal experience of initially pursuing physics with the intent to switch to medical school but ultimately continuing in physics due to the depth of the subject.
  • Another participant inquires about the intended career path with a CE degree and suggests looking for programs that integrate high-performance computing with physics or mathematics.
  • A participant in a similar situation mentions that they are also pursuing a BSc in physics and believes that taking a few undergraduate engineering courses could facilitate entry into CE graduate school, although they caution that this is based on hearsay.
  • One participant mentions plans to gain coding experience post-graduation, with the option to pursue an engineering degree later if necessary.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of concerns and perspectives regarding the transition from physics to computer engineering, with no consensus on the specific requirements or pathways. Multiple competing views remain about the feasibility and implications of such a transition.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight uncertainties regarding the necessity of undergraduate engineering courses for admission to CE graduate programs and the implications for professional status, indicating a lack of clarity on these points.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a transition from physics to engineering, particularly those interested in computer engineering or related fields.

cscott
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Bottom line: I want my BSc. in physics! I love to study it and don't think I'd feel comfortable majoring in something else. Call me crazy if you like :)

My question: How hard would it be to get into computer engineering at a master's level after I get my BSc.? Can I ever get my professional degree without doing an undergrad degree in engineering? How would I compare to other engineers if I got a master's degree in some area of CE?
 
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Seems like it would depend on the school. Have you talked with your advisor about this? What schools are you considering for the graduate engineering degree? What are their published entrance requirements?
 
berkeman said:
Seems like it would depend on the school. Have you talked with your advisor about this? What schools are you considering for the graduate engineering degree? What are their published entrance requirements?

Hehe. Ok, maybe I should have said a bit more. I'm only going into my second year this fall so I haven't really been talking to my advisors or looking at schools (which maybe I should do?).

My main worry is that I won't be able to get my "professional status" or whatever you want to call it for med and engi students. Are you saying it really depends on the schools I'm considering?

I've just always been "into" the digital electronics "scene" from both the CS and CE perspectives, but I love to study the fundamentals offered in physics.

(for instance I really enjoy the scientific computation and digital electronics courses offered by my physics department.)

I suppose I just want to know if what I'm considering is completely unheard of? I would have thought no.
 
Last edited:
cscott said:
Bottom line: I want my BSc. in physics! I love to study it and don't think I'd feel comfortable majoring in something else. Call me crazy if you like :)

I can't really offer any advice, but you might want to be careful, because physics can be addictive for some people. I came into college thinking I'd get my BS in physics just to satisfy my interest in the subject, and then go to medical school. The problem is that I realized what I'd learned in undergrad barely scratched the surface. Alas, now here I am in graduate school (in physics, of course).
 
what do u want to do with a CE? Try to go find a program in high performacne c omputing for physics or math or chem.
 
cscott said:
Bottom line: I want my BSc. in physics! I love to study it and don't think I'd feel comfortable majoring in something else. Call me crazy if you like :)

My question: How hard would it be to get into computer engineering at a master's level after I get my BSc.? Can I ever get my professional degree without doing an undergrad degree in engineering? How would I compare to other engineers if I got a master's degree in some area of CE?

cscott, I'm in the same boat that you are. I'm in my last undergrad year pursuing a BS in physics, and I'd really like to get into either Computer engineering or computer science when I graduate. From what I hear, you'll be fine with a background in physics as long as you take a few undergrad engineering courses CE grad school. Don't take this as fact though, this is only hearsay. Could someone confirm this for me?

I personally am going to try to code for some company when I get out of school, and if it doesn't suit me i'll go for the engineering degree.
 

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