<p>Hey!
I need some advice of what to study in college so i can narrow down my search for the right college. I am extremely interested in physics and engineering especially the areas of aerospace and astrophsyics. I do plan to (probably) purse a career in a combo of both (my dream job would be like inventing the spaceship and domes on mars in the future :) ). But i don't know which to study first.</p>
<p>I have thought about studying physics and going to graduate school for aerospace engineering. I have also thought of going straight into aerospace or trying to both. So my question is how should i plan to do this out. Also whether you think it would be more beneficial to study astrophysics or regular physics.</p>
<p>Note: i will probably go to graduate school</p>
<p>I won’t comment on studying aerospace vs. physics, but if you do go the physics route I would recommend that you get a “regular” physics degree. There is no need to specialize in undergrad, although you should definitely take some astrophysics courses if you have an interest in the subject.</p>
<p>Regular physics with astronomy electives, or regular mechanical engineering with aerospace electives, may be more versatile later. In choosing between physics and engineering, would you rather study the universe and objects (stars, planets, radiation, atoms, particles, etc.) in it (physics), or design things (engineering)? Note, however, that pure physics jobs may not be numerous enough to hire all or most physics graduates; some go into engineering, while others go into unrelated areas that recruit them for their math skills (e.g. finance).</p>
<p>The first year of mechanical engineering major courses should be similar to the first year of physics major courses, so it is possible to defer the decision until later, unless you go to a school where changing major is difficult.</p>
<p>In some schools, it may be easier to change major one way, but not the other. For example, at a school where the engineering majors are popular, it may be harder to get admitted as a freshman to mechanical engineering than physics, but switching to physics later may be easier than switching from physics to mechanical engineering later.</p>