<p>how difficult is it to go from physics major to engineering masters (probably mechanical or electrical)? I aspire for a career in engineering, but some of the schools I'm applying to don't have engineering programs, so I may major in engineering instead. If that is the case, I plan to get a masters in engineering, but is there anything I can try to accomplish during my undergraduate years? perhaps take a few/minor in chemistry and/or computer science? </p>
<p>or is it more important to learn machining and design/how to use CAD software? if that's the case, should I perhaps take some art courses?</p>
<p>Going from a physics undergrad to an engineering masters is quite possible, you just need to understand that you will be somewhat limited in your choices - many engineering specialties are very hard to break into without the engineering undergrad, while others would take you with open arms.</p>
<p>As to what you can do, there is very little you can do directly at a school with no engineering program - computer science and chemistry courses are good, but they probably will not help much as they intersection of either of those fields with physics and engineering is pretty small (wrt grad applications). You may want to see if your school has any program set up that will allow you to take some engineering courses at another nearby school, otherwise I would just focus on taking courses on the experimental side of physics and doing as well at them as you can.</p>
<p>Learning CAD software is good for mechanical, electrical uses different software, but you don’t need formal coursework in either - as a grad student, you would be expected to learn any software you needed. Art classes will not help at all - drafting is not art, and art is not drafting, especially now that everything is done on a computer.</p>
<p>As was said, this option is very available to anyone interested in it. There are a few prior threads here on CC about it.</p>
<p>From what I understand, the BA Physics to MS Engineering is easiest accomplished in Mechanical Engineering. The mathematics preparation is very similar.</p>
<p>You may want to take some engineering courses or at least computer sci in using the software for calculations and such because technology is crucial in engineering</p>
<p>There are several areas of electrical engineering that likes physics majors as well - my boss has a PhD in physics. I know antenna design, remote sensing, and computational E&M all have a lot of physics grad.</p>