Should I Choose Engineering or Physics for My Major?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision-making process for choosing between an engineering or physics major, particularly in the context of career prospects and personal interests. Participants explore the implications of each choice, including job market considerations and potential pathways to graduate studies.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a preference for physics due to a fascination with its concepts and mysteries, while finding engineering classes less engaging.
  • Concerns are raised about the job market for physics graduates compared to engineering graduates, with some suggesting that a physics degree may not be as valuable in terms of employment opportunities.
  • Questions are posed about the feasibility of pursuing graduate studies in physics with an engineering degree, specifically inquiring about which engineering discipline might align best with physics.
  • Another participant suggests exploring Medical Physics as a potential career path, indicating that some have transitioned from engineering to this field and recommending further research and networking.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as there are differing views on the value of a physics degree versus an engineering degree, and the discussion includes various perspectives on career options.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of detailed information on specific job markets for physics graduates and the varying definitions of what constitutes a relevant engineering degree for transitioning to physics graduate programs.

Kal-El
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Hello I am a sophomore at Penn State currently in Aerospace engineering. I am stuck between engineering and physics like so many people out there. I have taken engineering classes and it seems a little boring. At least at my school engineering has been displayed as the conceptual development of the discoveries made by scientist from which engineers computer design/draw new developing technologies and solve mathematical problems with said design or improve said design with mathematical and problem solving skills. I love physics or the idea of what physics tries to solve, mysteries of the universe, black wholes, how it all works. I have a lot of books on physics concepts and find them interesting, even have some conceptual ideas on my own but the problem with a physics degree at least at undergrad level is the job market. engineering has a job market while from what I heard from my adviser/ science teachers, physics has none. A lot of people are telling me a physics degree isn't worth it.
Can you go on to grad school in physics with a engineering degree, if so which engineering degree is the closes to physics? we have a degree at my school called Engineering science, would that be a good choice? Thank everyone for their input.
 
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Have you looked into Medical Physics. Look into programs, try to job shadow a medical physicist and keep asking questions here. I've read that people have gone on to medical physics with an engineering degree but I'd call program directors of the various schools and see what the reality is.
 
Pawriter said:
Have you looked into Medical Physics. Look into programs, try to job shadow a medical physicist and keep asking questions here. I've read that people have gone on to medical physics with an engineering degree but I'd call program directors of the various schools and see what the reality is.[/QUOTE

Thanks I will look into that
 

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