Should I Pursue a PhD in Physics with an Engineering Background?

[amoonaa]

I have bachelors degree in electric engineering and masters in engineering management and 14 years of experience in software product development. So no experience in physics at all.

Is it possible to do a phd in physics ? Its always been my passion that i now think about pursuing

 

[berkeman]

Welcome to PF.

Can you say what country you are in, or at least what country your BS/MS are from, and what country(ies) you are considering for your PhD applications?

How did you do in the highest level Physics and Math classes that you took in university? What was your cumulative GPA for those courses?

What specializations in Physics interest you the most, and which do you want to pursue with your PhD studies?

 

[amoonaa]

Welcome to PF.

Can you say what country you are in, or at least what country your BS/MS are from, and what country(ies) you are considering for your PhD applications?

How did you do in the highest level Physics and Math classes that you took in university? What was your cumulative GPA for those courses?

What specializations in Physics interest you the most, and which do you want to pursue with your PhD studies?

My bachelor's is from Jordan and masters from Australia. I graduated with distinction in both degrees. I've always been interested in classical mechanics. As for the degrees i was straight A student in physics and B in math.

 

[berkeman]

That's a good start! Have you considered taking a PGRE practice exam to see where you stand after having been out of school for a while (and hence probably a bit rusty in Physics and Math)?

http://sites.apam.columbia.edu/courses/apph4903x/exam_GR0177.pdf

 

[Vanadium 50]

Possible? Sure.
Possibile right now without additional preparation? Probably not.

How do you plan to pay for this? It is a lot easier if you can pay for that preparation than if you need someone else to do so.

You also need to think about your long term career goals, retirelment and how that fits in. You must be approximately 36 now. Add 3 years for the remedial work,. 7 years for a PhD, two 3 year postfoc and you'll be starting a potentially permanenet job in physics at about age 52.

 

[amoonaa]

Possible? Sure.
Possibile right now without additional preparation? Probably not.

How do you plan to pay for this? It is a lot easier if you can pay for that preparation than if you need someone else to do so.

You also need to think about your long term career goals, retirelment and how that fits in. You must be approximately 36 now. Add 3 years for the remedial work,. 7 years for a PhD, two 3 year postfoc and you'll be starting a potentially permanenet job in physics at about age 52.

Can you let me know please what type additional preparation is required?

I'm definitely planning to do self fund or best case scenario a partially funded program

 

[amoonaa]

That's a good start! Have you considered taking a PGRE practice exam to see where you stand after having been out of school for a while (and hence probably a bit rusty in Physics and Math)?

http://sites.apam.columbia.edu/courses/apph4903x/exam_GR0177.pdf

Thank you, ill have a have a look at it right now

 

[Vanadium 50]

You need a BS in physics or the equivalent.
You need letters of recommendation from people who can speak to your suitability for grad schools.
In the US, you need to take the PGRE for many schools.

That's what you need to catch up on.

 

[CrysPhys]

In the title, you ask the question,

"Can I do PhD in Physics if I have Bachelors in Engineering and 14 years of industry experience?"​

The answer is, "Yes. Yes, you can."

In your first post, you ask the question,

Is it possible to do a phd in physics ?

The answer is, "Yes. Yes, it is possible."

But that leaves two key unasked questions. The first is, "Why do I want to do a PhD in Physics?" So far, the only hint we have is,

Its always been my passion that i now think about pursuing

You should elaborate more, because it's needed to answer the second,

"Should I do a PhD in Physics?"