Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around the prospects of pursuing a master's degree in physics after completing an engineering degree, specifically from the perspective of a first-year engineering student considering options in mechanical or electrical engineering alongside a dual degree in biology. The focus is on admission criteria for U.S. universities and the relevance of different engineering backgrounds to physics graduate programs.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant expresses concern about whether a B.E. in mechanical or electrical engineering, combined with an M.Sc. in biology, would be viewed favorably compared to a pure physics undergraduate degree for admission to U.S. master's programs.
- Another participant suggests that an electrical engineering background would be the most beneficial due to the physics content involved, noting it is comparable to engineering physics.
- A different viewpoint posits that nuclear engineering might involve more physics than electrical engineering, although it is less commonly offered at universities.
- It is mentioned that most top U.S. schools do not offer terminal master's degrees in physics and typically admit students into PhD programs based on various criteria, including undergraduate GPA and GRE scores.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing opinions on the relevance of various engineering disciplines to physics graduate admissions, and there is no consensus on the best path forward for the original poster.
Contextual Notes
There are assumptions regarding the importance of specific engineering backgrounds and the nature of graduate programs in physics that remain unresolved. The discussion also highlights the variability in program offerings at different universities.