<p>i would like to work in engineering, but i'm thinking about majoring in physics. i'll be attending princeton next year and its physics program is much stronger/well-known than its engineering program, and I enjoy learning about physics as well. would a physics major (maybe with an engineering physics certificate/minor) be attractive to employers looking to fill engineering spots?</p>
<p>I received my BS in Astronomy and ended up going to medical school and becoming a physician. As an Astronomy major I had to take a large number of Physics courses as well as courses in math and astronomy. I think the problem with majoring in Physics and trying to get an engineering job would be that an employer would expect you to be able to design and build actual products and have experience in your college lab courses in doing this. College Physics courses may often teach the theory that a particular technology is based on but do not teach you how to actually design and build a device that uses that technology. Lab courses in Physics teach you how to use scientific instruments to learn about physical processes but they do not go into much detail on actually making such equipment. Majoring in Physics would put you in a stronger position than an Engineering graduate to investigate the development of new technologies based on the theory you learned, but you would probably need an advanced degree to find employment in a position that is primarily theoretical in nature rather than “hands on”.</p>
<p>meadow, what kind of engineering are you thinking of?</p>
<p>I’ve heard of a 3+2 engineering program (not Princeton), where the first three years and the first BS is in “Engineering Physics” .</p>
<p>“The… Department of Physical Science, in cooperation with the …School of Engineering, offers a program allowing students interested in engineering, …and liberal arts to receive two degrees in five years. …”</p>
<p>"What will I study?</p>
<p>The first three years are spent studying physics, chemistry, mathematics, biblical studies and the liberal arts. This coursework leads to a B.S. in physical science . The following two years are spent at an accredited engineering school completing requirements for a B.S. degree in the field of engineering chosen by the student. "</p>
<p>meadow, I’m going to ask an obvious question, if you would like to work in engineering, why not major in engineering? It doesn’t matter that Princeton’s physics program is more well known than engineering. I would say to major in what you want to do, not what you think is more well known at your school. If you want to do physics, go for it but if your goal is an engineering position, why not major in engineering? I’m sure it is possible to work in engineering with a physics background but I think with a bs in physics, it might be difficult to obtain an engineering position because you will be competing with degreed engineers. You will get plenty of physics in an engineering curriculum anyway and you could always take physics courses as technical electives.</p>
<p>In physics, you do not learn how the critical thinking and design skills that are necessary for engineering. You will have a much more difficult time transitioning from physics to engineering than just majoring in engineering.</p>
<p>physicists do better as programmers than engineers…a lot of CS people majored in physics</p>
<p>With regards to job opportunities in general, an engineering degree is preferable. I can think of two people who first received degrees in Physics, then returned to college a few years later to pursue an Engineering B.S. just for this reason.</p>
<p>I think that B.S in physics is great if you want to go to grad school for engineering, but if you want to work in engineering straight after college why don’t you just major in engineering?</p>
<p>Even with a BS in physics, you’d have to make up undergrad engineering classes before you could get a graduate degree, I would think. At least that’s the case in structures. Maybe other disciplines are differetn.</p>
<p>OP:</p>
<p>Sure you can. If you know you want to do engineering, though, why major in Physics?</p>
<p>^it opens up more opportunities, perhaps?</p>
<p>The hypothesis, though, is that he wants to do engineering. So I repeat: why do physics if you know you want to do engineering? Physics might open more doors, but it won’t open the engineering door as wide as an engineering degree would.</p>
<p>well maybe he was attracted to the fact that princeton and the IAS are known for their contributions to physics, and thinks that he would be wasting an opportunity if he didn’t major in something prestigious</p>
<p>Will getting a good GPA in freshmen year and transferring to a prestigious school in engineering be a good idea for the OP?</p>
<p>You want to be an engineer? Study engineering. You want to be a scientist? Study pure science. Can a scientist work as an engineer? Certainly, but generally an engineer will perform better at an engineering task and vice-versa.</p>