Engineering and Physics Double Degree: Is It Worth Pursuing?

AI Thread Summary
A grade 12 student is considering a unique double degree in physics and electrical engineering in Canada, expressing concerns about the 4.5-year program's feasibility. To prepare, it's recommended to take advanced courses in physics, chemistry, and mathematics, and to self-study relevant materials based on the course syllabus. While a bachelor's degree in physics may not lead to many job opportunities on its own, the electrical engineering component significantly enhances employment prospects, particularly in the tech industry. The student aims to eventually start a company focused on robotics but is also interested in working for major tech firms like Google and SpaceX. The program's recent update on the university's website has prompted the student to seek further advice on the course load's manageability.
SimmonSays
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Hello. I am currently in grade 12 and applying to programs in Canada and I would like to go into engineering. Although, I am very passionate about physics and it's applications in so many fields. I found a unique program which is a double degree. It includes a major in physics and electrical engineering. It seems to fulfill all my interests, but I'm fearful of if I will be able to complete such a program. The program is also 4.5 years as an undergrad. I would like your opinions on the program. How should I prepare? Also, what types of jobs/careers can I do with such a program? I eventually want to start my own company (I love inventing and building - especially working with robotics), but I also wouldn't mind working for some of the large companies (I.e. Google, Facebook, Tesla, SpaceX). Honestly, any advice for this program would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
SimmonSays said:
Hello. I am currently in grade 12 and applying to programs in Canada and I would like to go into engineering. Although, I am very passionate about physics and it's applications in so many fields. I found a unique program which is a double degree. It includes a major in physics and electrical engineering. It seems to fulfill all my interests, but I'm fearful of if I will be able to complete such a program. The program is also 4.5 years as an undergrad. I would like your opinions on the program. How should I prepare? Also, what types of jobs/careers can I do with such a program? I eventually want to start my own company (I love inventing and building - especially working with robotics), but I also wouldn't mind working for some of the large companies (I.e. Google, Facebook, Tesla, SpaceX). Honestly, any advice for this program would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Might help if you post the program, so people here can review it/comment if they've taken it themselves!
 
I would post it if I could, buy it is a brand new program and not updated on the university website as of yet.
 
SimmonSays said:
I would post it if I could, buy it is a brand new program and not updated on the university website as of yet.

Your question is really hard to answer then, so I'll attempt to answer what I can.

SimmonSays said:
How should I prepare?

Have you taken advanced physics/chemistry/mathematics/other science courses at your high school if offered? This would help you prepare. You could also look at the course schedule for the major, and find syllabuses on the departments webpage if they post them. Once you have those you can start self studying texts while you wait to begin classes there.

SimmonSays said:
what types of jobs/careers can I do with such a program

A terminal bachelors degree in physics won't open many doors, but still would open up more opportunities than say, a B.S. in art studies. A physics degree should really been seen as a first step to graduate school. The EE degree will open up lots of opportunities for terminal bachelors employment. You could certainly start your own company with this degree (or without a degree at all! Then you'd have to hire EE's if it's a tech based company, but obviously knowing about the subject matter yourself is a boon), or work for the tech industry, if that's what you want to do.

I can't review the program, so I don't know if it's "good" or not, but as long its from a decent university (not a diploma mill) then the program will probably be adequate for either continued graduate studies or a career in EE.
 
  • Like
Likes mechpeac
Thank you for the advice. I actually just got accepted and the program updated on the website. I made a new post with the information asking of the course load is actually doable. Thanks for all the advice!
 
/endthread
 
Bit Britain-specific but I was wondering, what's the best path to take for A-Levels out of the following (I know Y10 seems a bit early to be thinking about A-levels, but my choice will impact what I do this year/ in y11) I (almost) definitely want to do physics at University - so keep that in mind... The subjects that I'm almost definitely going to take are Maths, Further Maths and Physics, and I'm taking a fast track programme which means that I'll be taking AS computer science at the end...
After a year of thought, I decided to adjust my ratio for applying the US/EU(+UK) schools. I mostly focused on the US schools before, but things are getting complex and I found out that Europe is also a good place to study. I found some institutes that have professors with similar interests. But gaining the information is much harder than US schools (like you have to contact professors in advance etc). For your information, I have B.S. in engineering (low GPA: 3.2/4.0) in Asia - one SCI...
I graduated with a BSc in Physics in 2020. Since there were limited opportunities in my country (mostly teaching), I decided to improve my programming skills and began working in IT, first as a software engineer and later as a quality assurance engineer, where I’ve now spent about 3 years. While this career path has provided financial stability, I’ve realized that my excitement and passion aren’t really there, unlike what I felt when studying or doing research in physics. Working in IT...
Back
Top