Physics vs Engineering: Making a Decision

[Ian Baughman]

So I know that this kind of discussion comes up somewhat regularly but I'm hoping to gain a better insight before I have to make a decision. I currently am finishing up my pre-reqs at a community college and am getting ready to submit my application for the university. For the longest time I had been decided on the fact that I was going to transfer into an engineering program, specifically Aerospace. Recently however, I had been talking with my physics professor who used to be an engineer and he has been pushing me more towards a b.s. in physics due to, what he calls, my natural aptitude for it. While I have done very well in all my math and physics courses and absolutely love attending my physics lecture everyday the idea of majoring in physics makes me nervous. I know that job demand is definitely not as great when compared to engineering and am worried if I am actually capable of being a competitive student in that department. With that being said, lately I have been leaning towards physics and the idea of it not only makes me nervous but also extremely excited. What I would like to know though, is what are your guys' experience with both engineering and physics and what would you recommend?

 

[axmls]

What about physics interests you, and what about engineering interests you? Ideally, name some particular topics you learned in your physics course that you want to learn more about, and likewise for any engineering courses you've taken (if you've taken any yet).

 

[Ian Baughman]

From my limited physics background I so far enjoy thermodynamics and the behavior of particles the most. One of the things that interests me more than anything else is calculating entropy statistical aspect behind it. I really would like to dive further into that idea. I have found that I tend enjoy the derivation of equations and certain laws when we are first introduced to them as well. I may be wrong when saying this but when I have looked into engineering and the curriculum for an engineering degree it seems like it is all about developing an understanding of the topics and then looking at how to apply it versus learning the "why" behind it. This is the part that intrigues me though. I would like to know the inside and out of the material. However, I have not had the opportunity to take an engineering course yet so my ideas may be incorrect.