Physics or EE for Expirimental research?

[SuicideSteve]

Hello everyone!
I am in need of guidance. I'm confused as to where my academic career should be headed. I am currently at the end of my freshman year at a local community college in western New York. I have been a physics junkie since my junior year of high school. Ever since I was little I have wanted to be an Electrical Engineer, but since the start of my second semester I have been considering a major in Physics instead. The reason being is that I am not all that interested in industry. I want to end up in research, but experimental research having to do with cutting edge Physics rather than research and design. I am willing to go through as much schooling as is needed to accomplish my goals (Masters, Ph.D). Which Major is the better choice? Would it be possible to get into an Experimental Physics Grad. school with an EE degree?

The other bit of my confusion is that I have the opportunity to go out of state to Virginia Tech. I have visited the campus multiple times and would be able to room and board for free with my aunt and uncle who both work there. or I could stay local and go to the University at Buffalo, and be able to live at home although there are not many jobs around here. I know that both schools are excellent Engineering schools but I am not too sure about their Physics programs. Which School do you think would be a better choice?

Thanks for all your time... This is really a Great forum and has already helped me tremendously.

 

[physiker_192]

Hi,

Yes, its possible but this is the harder path (and kind of less guaranteed to some extent)
If you want to go to Physics grad school, its much easier to do directly by studying physics prior to that.
Going with EE degree is more difficult, as you would have most of the grad school expected essential knowledge is missing, even if its an experimental physics phd programme. Any experimentalist must have a certain minimum of the theoretical aspects (& vice versa).

You can make up for those physics courses during an EE degree, but the EE courses alone will make sure that you have more than enough course load every semester.
I am not sure how deep is your EE interest, i.e. if you're just interested in certain aspects e.g. electronics then you can attend those few courses along the physics degree.
Depending on the content of the physics bachelor, typically there some labs & parts of courses on electronics.

Had you wanted to work in industry, only then the EE degree would be a more suitable path in my opinion.

You may want also to look into other possibilities like Engineering Physics or Applied Physics programmes.

 

[SuicideSteve]

Thank you for your response. I think one of the only reasons why I am still considering EE is that I thought it was what I wanted for a long time. Has anyone gone to either Virginia Tech or University at Buffalo?