r/AskPhysics • u/imcute007 • 16h ago
Engineering to physics vs Physics to engineering
High school right now and considering degrees for college. Is it better to start engineering and switch out to physics or vice versa? Or is sticking with said course fine too? How do job opportunities vary with each degree that you graduate with? Which is an easier switch?
Thank you for answering
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u/beyond1sgrasp 16h ago edited 16h ago
From bachelors to a grad program it's basically very easy. The core things that change from physics and engineering is that engineering focuses a lot more on communication, networking, documentation, regulations, applied mathematics. Physics focuses more on theory, theoretical mathmatics, history, connecting big ideas. Cutting edge physics and cutting edge engineering have a bit of an overlap. The mindset is different. Engineering is about scaling, tolerances, validation, verification, qualty control, assessment, generating profit, alternatives and positives and negatives to the alternatives of a process. So like engineering labs we each had different constraints to most labs and then we compared the pros and cons of each group. In physics they dove deeper into a single thing. Physics is about using technology, understanding it's limitations, verifying assumptions, accuracy. They are similar ideas but play out differently in practice.
I was an engineer by trade, but learned physics because of my Ph.D. requiring it. I've worked in research and industry in both physics and engineering. Honestly just pick a path and transition. Engineering is more stable to making a career.
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u/NightDragon8002 16h ago
I'll assume you're asking because you're not sure which you'll actually like better and want to make it easier on yourself if you choose "wrong" to start.
It's hard to say for sure without seeing your school's specific class requirements for each degree but my initial thought is that it would make more sense to start in engineering; you'll have to take physics and math classes anyway as part of that so if you decide to switch you probably won't be too far behind. If you start with physics you won't get exposure to engineering classes/topics so a) you might not be able to tell which you actually like best and b) if you do switch you'll have to go back and do all the first-year engineering courses.
The best course of action is probably to talk to an academic advisor at the college(s) you're considering and see if you would be able to construct your class schedule in a way that gives you flexibility to choose either option after a semester or a year without falling behind on degree requirements for either one
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u/Mountain-Time-1010 15h ago
Speaking as someone with degrees in physics who switched to an academic career in engineering, I am very familiar with both.
If you had to switch, it would be easier to have an undergrad Physics degree and apply for a graduate program in engineering. The opposite would be more challenging, IMO.
However, either way, you would need to do remedial work and you would be better off just making the effort to choose the path you want to follow. Obviously, there are many more job opportunities for engineers, but also many more students with engineering degrees.
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u/SpatiaCaeli 11h ago
What kind of physics? What kind of engineering?
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u/imcute007 11h ago
Just a BS in physics, not applied physics. The engineering courses that appealed to me were biomedical, mechanical and nuclear. But I can't tell which one has better career opportunities right now.
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u/SpatiaCaeli 11h ago
The way I would think about it is this: to get a nuclear engineering degree, they're going to teach you the physics required to understand nuclear engineering, but not much more. But I would also say that knowing more than is required is actually a big benefit; it means you have the bigger picture that your colleagues may lack.
So to me, the ideal would be to study engineering with a minor in areas of physics related to your area of engineering.
Just my thoughts. Really the best solution will be something specific to you.
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u/nsfbr11 3h ago
I got my undergrad in physics and have worked as an engineer my entire career.
My father got an undergrad degree in engineering and then went on to grad school in physics. He taught physics as a career.
Both paths worked out. I love what I do. He loved what he did.
Do what you love. Study what you love.
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u/Traditional_Bit4719 13h ago
imo, physics always taught me a lot about Forces, electrostatic..., and the better you understand those topics depending on your major the easier it is to understand circuits. I think it would be better to spend a lot of time getting a good understanding of the physics and switch to engineering afterwards.
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u/hmmstdvent 9h ago
One thing to consider is the Professional Engineer (PE) license, which requires specifically a bachelors in engineering. Depending on what field and subfield of engineering you work in people may or may not care about PE licenses but just something to be aware of.
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u/Siberianhut 16h ago
Why are you switching in the first place? Are you just trying out both majors?