What kind of engineering jobs could I get with a physics major?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential engineering job opportunities available to individuals with a physics major. Participants explore various academic paths, minors, and the relevance of their physics education to engineering roles, particularly in the context of the job market in Houston, which is noted for its energy sector and proximity to NASA.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that a physics major can lead to engineering jobs, particularly if complemented by relevant minors such as Mechanical Engineering or Construction Management Technology.
  • Concerns are raised about the marketability of a physics major with only a minor in engineering, with some participants questioning whether civil firms would hire such candidates.
  • There are suggestions that mechanical work, such as HVAC systems, could be an option, although some participants express a lack of interest in this area.
  • Participants discuss the importance of specific skills and coursework, such as heat transfer, thermodynamics, and CAD software, in making a physics major more appealing to engineering firms.
  • Some participants advocate for obtaining a degree in Applied Physics to enhance job prospects, while others note limitations in available programs at their institutions.
  • There is mention of the necessity of programming skills in engineering roles, with suggestions to take computer science courses to improve employability.
  • One participant shares their experience, emphasizing the value of a strong background in physics, math, and engineering courses for success in engineering roles.
  • Discussions also touch on the relevance of advanced physics courses versus applied mechanics courses for engineering careers.
  • Some participants note that a master's degree may be increasingly essential for securing good engineering jobs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the viability of obtaining engineering jobs with a physics major, with no clear consensus on the best approach or the effectiveness of various academic paths. Disagreement exists regarding the necessity of a full engineering degree versus a minor, as well as the specific skills required for different engineering roles.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in their academic programs, such as the absence of an Applied Physics degree at certain institutions, and the need for practical skills that may not be covered in their physics curriculum. There is also an acknowledgment of the varying relevance of different physics courses to engineering applications.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for physics majors considering engineering careers, students exploring academic minors, and individuals seeking insights into the job market for physics graduates in engineering fields.

Shackleford
Messages
1,649
Reaction score
2
I'm not majoring in engineering, so do not suggest it. I know it is possible to get an engineering job with a physics major. Here are a few minors (not exhaustive) I am considering: Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management Technology

I know it might be a little "bass-ackwards," but I think the job I would want to do most right out of college is some kind of engineering, unless I could find another technical job that is more appealing and so forth. Houston is the energy capital of the world, and NASA is just right down the street.

Here a few engineering jobs I'd consider (again, not exhaustive): Civil, Materials Science, Mechanical

Basically, I know what I want academically, I just want a little bit of direction professionally.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I honestly don't know if a civil firm would hire you with only a civil minor. The ones I talked to did not really want to hire any mechanical majors.

You could probably find a job doing mechanical work on HVAC systems.
 
Cyrus said:
I honestly don't know if a civil firm would hire you with only a civil minor. The ones I talked to did not really want to hire any mechanical majors.

You could probably find a job doing mechanical work on HVAC systems.

The only engineering minor UH has is Mechanical Engineering.

Working on HVAC systems doesn't sound too appealing. Heh.
 
Working on HVAC systems doesn't sound too appealing. Heh.

:smile: Yeah, but without a full mechanical engineering degree I don't know how far a minor would get you. You could take the FE exam and pass it. That would look good to a company. But I honestly don't know what skills you would have as a physics major in the ME world.

Do you do any of the following? Heat transfer (w/ME applications), Thermodynamics (not-statistical thermo (not necessary), controls, circuit theory, FEA analysis, CAD/ProE/Solid Works/Fluent/Gambit, mechanical vibrations, fluid mechanics, materials.

If you are doing things like particle physics, astro-physics, and things of the like, you will not be very marketable to an engineering firm.
 
Last edited:
Cyrus said:
:smile: Yeah, but without a full mechanical engineering degree I don't know how far a minor would get you. You could take the FE exam and pass it. That would look good to a company. But I honestly don't know what skills you would have as a physics major in the ME world.

Do you do any of the following? Heat transfer (w/ME applications), Thermodynamics (not-statistical thermo (not necessary), controls, circuit theory, FEA analysis, CAD/ProE/Solid Works/Fluent/Gambit, mechanical vibrations, fluid mechanics, materials.

If you are doing things like particle physics, astro-physics, and things of the like, you will not be very marketable to an engineering firm.

Well, I'm still in college, obviously, but the courses in my physics major are not applied courses. If I did the ME minor, it would have a thermo class, fluid mechanics, mechanics, etc. - a good 18 hours of ME courses. I understand engineering is applied physics, but there has to be something I could do with the physics major that I could learn on the job, having conceptually passed the engineering courses.
 
Get a degree in Applied Physics and a minor in engineering.
 
Cyrus said:
Get a degree in Applied Physics and a minor in engineering.

UH doesn't offer that. I'm a bit limited in my choices.
 
Damn...Id really say applied physics if you want to be marketable.
 
Closest engineering I can get is an EE job. My school's physics curriculum includes quite a bit of physics-electronics courses. is. advanced physics lab (circuits lab), electrodynamics, digital/analog electronics, solid states
 
  • #10
I majored in applied physics a long time ago and have been working as an engineer for, hmmm, let's just say a long time. A strong background in physics, math, computer science, and mechanical engineering courses have more than helped me get by.

In addition to your minor, you will have some choices in your junior/senior year physics classes. As most engineering is applied classical mechanics, upper level classical mechanics classes will be much more beneficial than advanced quantum mechanics classes (unless you plan on going into EE, that is). Hands-on work, e.g., tough advanced physics lab courses, will help too.

A lot of engineers have to program computers nowadays. Truth be told, as a group, mechanical engineers are incredibly lousy programmers. Some computer science classes, particularly those that deal with data structures, algorithms, and numerical analysis will be very beneficial. A good software engineering class (UHCL has quite a few, I don't know about UH main campus) will also help.

As a physics major you will have to take a lot of math classes. Physicists need to know about Green's Theorem and such. Green is just a color to most engineers. Take numerical analysis classes instead if you have a choice

Nowadays a masters degree is an essential to getting a good job. You can use your undergraduate physics degree as a stepping stone for an engineering masters degree or PhD, if you want to go that far.
 
  • #11
D H said:
I majored in applied physics a long time ago and have been working as an engineer for, hmmm, let's just say a long time. A strong background in physics, math, computer science, and mechanical engineering courses have more than helped me get by.

In addition to your minor, you will have some choices in your junior/senior year physics classes. As most engineering is applied classical mechanics, upper level classical mechanics classes will be much more beneficial than advanced quantum mechanics classes (unless you plan on going into EE, that is). Hands-on work, e.g., tough advanced physics lab courses, will help too.

A lot of engineers have to program computers nowadays. Truth be told, as a group, mechanical engineers are incredibly lousy programmers. Some computer science classes, particularly those that deal with data structures, algorithms, and numerical analysis will be very beneficial. A good software engineering class (UHCL has quite a few, I don't know about UH main campus) will also help.

As a physics major you will have to take a lot of math classes. Physicists need to know about Green's Theorem and such. Green is just a color to most engineers. Take numerical analysis classes instead if you have a choice

Nowadays a masters degree is an essential to getting a good job. You can use your undergraduate physics degree as a stepping stone for an engineering masters degree or PhD, if you want to go that far.

Yes, I know this. I think I might need to change my electives up a bit by adding a computer science/programming course. If you're curious, here are the math and physics courses in my degree plan:

MATH 1431. Calculus I
MATH 1432. Calculus II
PHYS 1321. University Physics I
PHYS 1121. Physics Laboratory I
MATH 2431. Linear Algebra
MATH 2433. Calculus III
PHYS 1322 and 1122. University Physics II and Physics Laboratory II
MATH 3331. Differential Equations
PHYS 3315. Modern Physics I
MATH 3335. Vector Analysis
PHYS 3110. Advanced Laboratory Analysis
PHYS 3113. Advanced Laboratory I
PHYS 3316. Modern Physics II
PHYS 3309. Intermediate Mechanics
MATH 3363. Introduction to Partial Differential Equations
PHYS 3114. Advanced Laboratory II
PHYS 3327. Thermal Physics
MATH 3364. Introduction to Complex Analysis. Free Elective, Minor Course
PHYS 4321. Intermediate Electromagnetic Theory
PHYS 3312 and PHYS 3112. Modern Optics and Modern Optics Laboratory.
PHYS 4356. Introduction to Particle Physics.PHYS 2340. Science of Sound.
PHYS 1305. Introductory Astronomy – The Solar System.
PHYS 4322. Intermediate Electromagnetic Theory
PHYS 4337. Introduction to Solid State Physics.
PHYS 1306. Introduction to Astronomy – Stellar and Galactic Systems.
PHYS 3305. Introduction to Astrophysics.
 
  • #12
D H said:
A lot of engineers have to program computers nowadays. Truth be told, as a group, mechanical engineers are incredibly lousy programmers. Some computer science classes, particularly those that deal with data structures, algorithms, and numerical analysis will be very beneficial. A good software engineering class (UHCL has quite a few, I don't know about UH main campus) will also help.

As a physics major you will have to take a lot of math classes. Physicists need to know about Green's Theorem and such. Green is just a color to most engineers. Take numerical analysis classes instead if you have a choice
I don't know about your time, but nowadays, my university does offer programming in C++ for engineering students as an essential module, and I've seen textbooks for some courses titled "C+ for Engineering" or something like that. And the mechanical aspects of Green's theorem (how to use it and when) is taught as a first-year, first-sem course for engineering majors. I know this because I took the clas.
 
  • #13
Well, guys, I just looked over my degree plan and everything. Of course, I only have a limited number of free electives and there are physics courses I definitely want to take as electives, so I might as well minor in math. I'll have 25 hours with only the required courses - 28 with the Intro. to Complex Analysis course.
 
  • #14
This question has been answered before, look at different posts. The engineering degree exists for a reason (to train people to do engineering). There are too many engineering graduates for you to compete with as a physics grad. Double major, or do engineering with a minor in physics if you want a job.
 
  • #15
animalcroc said:
This question has been answered before, look at different posts. The engineering degree exists for a reason (to train people to do engineering). There are too many engineering graduates for you to compete with as a physics grad. Double major, or do engineering with a minor in physics if you want a job.

That is not my experience unless you want to do something that requires a license.

I work at an aerospace company in the US.

1) The Quality Engineer on our project has a physics degree (BS).

2) One of our hardware engineers has a physics degree (BS).

3) One of our algorthm engineers has a physics degree (BS).

4) One of our control engineers has a physics degree (MS).

In other words, in my company there is lots of opportunity for physics majors if you are a US citizen.
 
Last edited:
  • #16
My physics degrees have done me well in the aerospace industry.
 
  • #17
Aerospace industry?

Hey Dr. Transport,

i'm wondering, what kind of skills can you bring to the aerospace industyr w/ ur degree? I'm really interested in space exploration, but could my physics degree allow me to go into soethign liek that?
 
  • #18
RasslinGod said:
Hey Dr. Transport,

i'm wondering, what kind of skills can you bring to the aerospace industyr w/ ur degree? I'm really interested in space exploration, but could my physics degree allow me to go into soethign liek that?

My background is in electrical and oprical prpoerties of semiconductors. I work with our optical labs in th edevelopment of better measurement techniques.

If you wan tto do space exploration, I cannot see any reason why not, engineers do have the only inroad to NASA.
 

Similar threads

Is electrical engineering a good major for machine learning/AI jobs?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Programs What is the likelihood of a physics major getting an engineering job?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
What's the best major between Physics & Chemistry for entering MS in Nuclear Engineering?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Double majoring in electrical engineering and physics
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
5K
How Hard is it to find a research job with a Master's degree in Physics?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Programs Is a Physics BA a good route for exciting CS/Engineering Work?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Programs Is it too late for me to get into Physics?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Programs Help on Majors and Graduate Degrees as an Engineering Student
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Programs From a Nuclear Engineering BS, will I be able to do MS & PhD in Physics?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Programs Which Major Should I Choose: Physics or Mechanical Engineering?
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
4K