<p>I am a high school senior and am interested in theoretical physics (especially) astrophysics but am also interested in aerospace engineering. I was considering an aerospace and mechanical engineering double major with a physics minor but I am unsure if the physics minor will give me the knowledge and research opportunities I would want in physics. Should I go purely engineering or will a physics bs also contribute to the engineering field?</p>
<p>A physics degree will give you some theoretical background but will not make you an engineer. Go for engineering and also minor/major in physics.</p>
<p>Do you think a minor in physics will give enough of a theoretical background to make a difference? Or will it be just a taste of something I might need a bs in physics to fully understand?</p>
<p>Engineering physics.</p>
<p>Here’s a sample:</p>
<p>[OSU</a> Undergraduate Physics: Engineering Physics Major Courses](<a href=“http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/undergrad/bs_engphysics.php]OSU”>http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/undergrad/bs_engphysics.php)</p>
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<p>It’s all in what classes you choose to take for a minor. I decided to minor in physics instead of double major since I wasn’t really that interested in all the really tough E&M courses, so instead I just took quantum, thermodynamics, and solid state classes. Minors are a lot more flexible and let you avoid a lot of the killer classes for majors that generally aren’t even that interesting. In my case, going with a minor instead of a double major also let me graduate a semester early and save a ton of money in loans.</p>
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<p>i’ve seen people with physics degrees of various levels go on to do various engineering tasks (Ph.D in low temp physics working on missile guidance). I’ve seldom seen mechanical engrs suddenly analyzing supernova propagation or something very physics-y.</p>
<p>I can’t tell you which program will be better suited to you. But it’s very possible for physics degree you to get a job with Space-X or something. I’d bet a lot of money [n]against[/n] engineering you publishing papers on galaxy formation.</p>
<p>Or major in Physics, get a job with a technology/Aerospace company like General Electric or United Technologies Corp and later the company will pay for your Master’s in Engineering. In fact, I’ve read some job announcements (for bachelor’s degree holders) from GE that state that the successful applicant must plan to eventually enroll in a Master of Engineering program.</p>