<p>@micmac You would have taken the required EE courses if you had planned for it which is what I was trying to suggest in posts. OP seemed overwhelmed with the idea of two majors but might be able to get there with minor.</p>
<p>@gearmom @mikemac </p>
<p>I don’t mind double majoring if it can be done within 5 years. As for grad school, I wanted to go into either Hardware engineering or Technical/engineering physics. </p>
<p>The idea of double majoring was so that I could decide between the two down the road if need be. </p>
<p>However, if I decided to give up physics, I can take advantage of a 5 year M.S/B.S program they have here where I can graduate with an M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science, and a B.S. in Computer Engineering. I’m pretty sure you cannot participate in the program if you are double majoring in another (difficult) major, as I’m not sure it is humanely possible to do it in time. That way, I can still pursue Engineering physics if I take enough physics electives during that time. </p>
<p>There’s so much I want to do and learn, but not enough time to do it all (I think). For now, as a first year, my first goal is getting into engineering. </p>
<p>As a side note, my scholarship pays for grad school if it is within certain fields (science and engineering being part of that group).</p>
<p>@Ynotgo @ItsJustSchool </p>
<p>I have done a bit of research in CCS, and considered applying at some point. However, I’m at a point where I’m not sure if I can stand toe to toe with the rest of them. For that, I have to see where I stand academically among the student body, and then decide if I would be able to handle the increased course load found within the CCS. </p>
<p>Also, after the thorough lecture that BrownParent dished out, I decided that if I decide to transfer, it should be to a school that better suits my need, such as a science/engineering LAC, schools with more teacher/student interactions, or just schools that focus on teaching more in general. Having talked to fellow physics majors here at UCSB, they agree that one of the downsides of attending a major research university is that the teachers teach at a sub-par level (from what many upperclassmen have also told me). To me, it seems as though they would rather just research and leave it at that. </p>
<p>If you are considering Hardware Engineering, I would strongly recommend you find a home community right now. Get involved in undergraduate research.</p>
<p>There are great professors who arrived in the late 80’s with the breakup of Bell Labs. In particular, some of the condensed matter physics (EE) and nanotechnology work is world-leading. The work on the Blue LED just was awarded the Nobel Prize.</p>
<p>Check out Prof John Bowers’ lab for sustainable energy, and look into the ongoing metamaterials work in other EE labs. I think if you find a home, there is really no better place to be for certain topics.</p>
<p>
Unfortunately not possible at UC schools which restrict classes in things like theater-arts and engineering to majors only.</p>
<p>@mikemac </p>
<p>This is my biggest obstacle. I have submitted add petitions and enrolled in waiting lists, but as a non-engineering major I am low priority. That is why I have considered online courses and summer classese, which (I have been told) lift major restrictions.</p>
<p>@NotYetEngineer With your passion for learning, I think you have an amazing career ahead of you. Pace yourself and @ItsJustSchool is giving you good advice.</p>
<p>@gearmom </p>
<p>Thank you. Like I mentioned in the beginning of this thread, I feel like I made so many mistakes before starting college. Now that I was given such a miraculous chance, I don’t intend to squander it. 
</p>
<p>From your lengthy explanation, you have a good scholarship at UCSB which will support you through a Masters degree if you can complete it in 5 years. Is this scholarship transferable to another university or do you risk losing it completely? If it is transferable and you are determined to get an engineering degree, then I see not option for you but to transfer to another university if UCSB won’t let you switch to the engineering program of your choice.</p>
<p>If you cannot transfer the scholarship, my suggestion is that you stay the course and get the most out of what UCSB has to offer. Get involved in research and don’t get hung up on the perception that all faculty care about is research. I have been a physics professor for 31 years and I have a very active research program but I love to teach.</p>
<p>As for moving from physics to a computer engineering graduate program, it is possible even though you will have to take some remedial courses. As was stated earlier, the electives you take will make a difference. however, I have to tell you that with a physics degree you do have the opportunity to work as an engineer. Maybe you do not have the specialized course that a Computer Engineer might have but you will have a broad knowledge and more importantly the ability to learn new things on your own. Any self-respecting physics program nowadays, includes a solid analog and digital electronics course and well as at least one computational course. From that you can build on your own, I speak form experience, having had experience with both computer hardware and software in the course of my career. You can maximize your experience by seeking out a research lab on campus where you learn some of these things “on the job”.</p>
<p>@xraymancs </p>
<p>The scholarship is transferable. It is an outside scholarship (not given by the school) that basically promises full ride to any (or most) institutions found in the country, so long as I am currently enrolled in them. Currently, I am in the process of transferring to engineering (it takes a while to even APPLY for the chance to do so, since there are pre-req classes that one must first complete). </p>
<p>I have considered either sticking with the 5 year M.S./B.S. program, OR I can use those 5 years to double major in physics and computer engineering. While I prefer to at least go down computer engineering, I love physics so if possible, I would like to double major. </p>
<p>Then for grad school (as I have mentioned in an above post), I can either follow a path in physics, computer (hardware, most likely) engineering, or engineering physics with a focus on computational physics or any other specialization that can benefit from the dual major knowledge I may have.</p>
<p>Good luck then</p>