Transition from Engineering to Physics

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the transition from a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering to pursuing a bachelor's degree in Physics. The individual seeks clarification on how many years of coursework might be waived due to their extensive background in relevant subjects such as electricity, magnetism, and advanced mathematics. They express a particular interest in theoretical physics, despite acknowledging gaps in their knowledge, particularly in General Relativity. The advice given emphasizes the importance of contacting the physics department of prospective schools to understand their policies on credit transfer and to clarify the requirements for entering the program. Additionally, there is a suggestion to consider future goals, such as attending graduate school in physics, which may influence the decision-making process.
medwatt
Messages
122
Reaction score
0
Hello,
I already have a bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering. I was wondering that suppose I want to obtain a bachelors degree in Physics, for a 4 year bachelors physics program how many years will be allowed to skip given that I already know to my fingertips electricity and magnetism, waves, mathematics including Vector calculus, multivariable calculus, ODE and PDE, Complex Analysis as most of these were thought in courses like Field Theory, Microwave engineering, Communication engineering, Control eng etc etc.
Of course I am deficient when it comes to General relativity, which apart from the tidbit one learns from first year is all I know. My introductory physics included Special Relativity to its fullest and a little bit of Quantum and Particle Physics.
So how can I make the transition because I feel I have more love for theoretical and abstract things rather than making things to work.
Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
lisab said:
You should find a school you're interested in and contact the physics department.

Are you ultimately interested in going to grad school in physics? This thread can be a big help:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=64966

The question is, will they allow me given that I am not very familiar with what I have already stated !
 
I’ve been looking through the curricula of several European theoretical/mathematical physics MSc programs (ETH, Oxford, Cambridge, LMU, ENS Paris, etc), and I’m struck by how little emphasis they place on advanced fundamental courses. Nearly everything seems to be research-adjacent: string theory, quantum field theory, quantum optics, cosmology, soft matter physics, black hole radiation, etc. What I don’t see are the kinds of “second-pass fundamentals” I was hoping for, things like...
TL;DR Summary: I want to do a PhD in applied math but I hate group theory, is this a big problem? Hello, I am a second-year math and physics double major with a minor in data science. I just finished group theory (today actually), and it was my least favorite class in all of university so far. It doesn't interest me, and I am also very bad at it compared to other math courses I have done. The other courses I have done are calculus I-III, ODEs, Linear Algebra, and Prob/Stats. Is it a...
Back
Top