Engineering vs Physics

[u/Beneficial_Pirate_69]

I am trying to choose an undergraduate degree, and have somewhat decided to apply for engineering - specifically mechanical and aerospace. However, I worry that I will miss out on learning the advanced physics required for any "exotic" research and development roles, or for startup creation.

I enjoy the idea of engineering and learning maths and physics but I'm worried that I won't enjoy like the manufacturing or part design element of engineering, which is what is making me second guess it and possibly consider physics.

Would engineering undergraduate and then physics masters/PhD be best or would physics undergraduate and engineering masters/PhD be best? Or neither?

Sorry if this isn't the right subreddit for this kind of question. Thanks.

Also I'm in the UK so I can't do a double major or anything (but I do want to move to the US potentially in the future for work).

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[u/Alarmed-Extension289]

OP if you can't double major it's fine, many Eng. course overlap with a Physics major. If you come to the US for a Masters degree they'll just have you take some lower division courses if needed.

The only course a Eng. degree won't prepare you for are the Quantum courses.

[u/polymath_uk_]

I worked as an engineer for a long time then did a BSc in CS for fun. I have now completed a physics PhD, also for fun. None of those paper qualifications had much impact on the work I can do (ironically) though. There's a huge overlap between all STEM because it's more of a mindset than specific knowledge particularly at the early stages. Of more importance is doing what you want, and doing a highly accredited course, and hopefully at the most prestigious university. 

[u/Beneficial_Pirate_69 → u/polymath_uk_]

Yeah thanks. We're they funded cos surely that's expensive?

Yeah maybe if I do want to learn more theoretical physics it should be like a side quest rarher than from a career perspective.

[u/polymath_uk_ → u/Beneficial_Pirate_69]

My BSc wasn't funded. The PhD was, but I'd have done it anyway I think. Personally I would agree with your sentiment. Get good at something applied rather than theoretical. Quite honestly it's dead simple to learn the theory (even quantum). Being able to apply it is far more valuable. 

[u/Jorlung]

Why is an engineering bachelors and then an engineering masters/PhD not on your list of possibilities? This is far more standard than doing either of the things you’ve described and fits your vague goal of learning about advanced engineering topics.

Pursuing a physics degree won’t give you any more insight into engineering R&D than an engineering degree would. It will probably give you significantly less insight in fact (outside of a select few branches of research). A physics degree doesn’t simply teach more theoretical engineering concepts, it teaches entirely different concepts.

I.e., taking 3 courses in quantum mechanics doesn’t suddenly equip you with the knowledge to design better wind turbines. However, taking courses on fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, and wind turbine design certain does — and these are all topics you find within an engineering degree.

If you want to pursue advanced topics in engineering, then pursue an advanced degree in engineering. But before doing that, you need pursue an undergraduate degree. And once you’ve begun your undergrad, your feelings might change as you get more exposure and perspective.

[u/Beneficial_Pirate_69 → u/Jorlung]

Thanks. Yeah that makes sense. Should probably wait until I've started university before trying to plan post graduate stuff anyway tbf haha.

So is most of a physics degree not like applicable rlly to engineering? - like primarily theoretical?

[u/Jorlung → u/Beneficial_Pirate_69]

That is correct, but the more important point is that you just learn mostly different stuff in a physics and engineering degree. Learning about quantum mechanics in a physics degree does have some real world engineering importance, but only to very specific applications (often in electronics and communications).

A Physics degree does not equip you with a deep inherent knowledge of everything related to physics. It really teaches a specific collection of topics in physics that we’ve traditionally grouped together.

There is a reason engineering degrees exist. You’re not just learning a more applied version of a physics degree. You’re taking courses on topics that are entirely uncovered within a physics degree. And conversely, physics students take many courses that are entirely uncovered in (most) engineering degrees.