<p>Just wanted some general advice. Or just your experience; how does an undergrad in physics compare to an undergrad in engineering in terms of preparing for an engineering masters?</p>
<pre><code>In particular, I'm leaning towards aerospace engineering, but at the school I want to transfer to the major is impacted and my GPA isn't stellar at the moment. So I'm thinking of transferring as a physics undergrad (since the major prep is almost identical), then moving on to engineering.
I was also curious as to how physics and physics with a specialization in materials physics compare in this situation.
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<p>Many thanks!</p>
<p>You can go into an engineering Masters from a physics degree but you will have to take “remedial” courses to get up to speed compared to someone who has an engineering degree.</p>
<p>The problem in your reasoning is to think that physics is “easier” than engineering. If your GPA is a bit weak to get into the Engineering program of your choice, then it will likely not improve a lot when you take the advanced physics classes, particularly if you aren’t that enthusiastic about getting a Bachelors in physics. At my university we have a number of students who drop into our physics program from engineering because they are struggling academically. It doesn’t get much better when they are faced with the broad range of coursework required of a physics major.</p>
<p>If you have a serious interest in physics, then that is a different story. Once you have a Bachelor’s degree it is possible to shift into Aerospace Engineering or Materials Science particularly if you take courses in those areas for your electives. The materials physics specialization will probably give you some of these courses.</p>