<p>Hi, i'm a college student and i'm currently double majoring in Physics and Mechanical Engineering with a minor in mathematics.</p>
<p>I really want to apply my engineering skills to work as a physicist. I am interested in energy and fusion, and I am strongly considering getting a MS in Mech. Engineering and then going for a Ph.D in physics. I am very interested in theory, yet I would like to put theories into actual practice. </p>
<p>I think this route will allow me the best opportunity to actually put science fiction into science fact. Is it plausible to become an Engineer AND Physicist? Or should I choose one or the other?</p>
<p>Thing is, I want to develop this new technology, yet I need the theories of a physicist to prove the unproven technology. And I don't want to work on another physicist's theory, I want to set out my own theories and see them through from start to finish with engineering skills to put the theory into practice.</p>
<p>This would take you a very long time. More than 5 years for the undergrad alone for the double-major, and if you’re lucky your school might have an accelerated program for a Masters, which would be 1 year but if not it would be two roughly. Then a PhD would be approximately five years. You’re practically a neurosurgeon! They also take about 12 years until they actually get into practice.</p>
<p>Unless you want to spend 12 years in school and accumulating more debt, I’d choose one or the other.</p>
<p>You’re technically doing the job of two people. Creating it and putting it into practice are part of two different things. For one, it’s a LOT of school, and another it’ll be a LOT of work. </p>
<p>I’d recommend just taking one of them, or a minor if it is offered. That’s a huge workload, if you want to pursue that, feel free. But the amount of time it will take you to complete the school that gives you a shot at what you want to do is slim.</p>
<p>Keep in mind research/applied research positions in almost all the life/physical sciences can be difficult to come across. While physics can have it easier because it has a lot of application in the real world, you can’t expect to look for a particular job as a physicist. You have to have a very open mind. Don’t let this restrain you from it if it’s really what you want to do. I’m considering getting a PhD in astronomy despite the atrocious job market they say there is.</p>
<p>@Ctesiphon, That is great that you are going to pursue an astronomy Ph.D. There may not be a lot of jobs out there but i’m a firm believer that if you pursue your dreams, happiness will follow. I remember I switched from wanting to be an astronomy major to switching to a physics major in hopes of becoming an Astrophysicist. I was originally a Pre-Med, however I found that the world is too deep and there is so much we don’t know, and I think this is the best era so for to make new discoveries. We have the technology that allows us to do such things and I hope that these discoveries will make the world a better place. My parents keep nagging me to become a physician or a dentist because of the much higher pay, but even though it’s nice, it isn’t fulfilling to me. I don’t want my existence justified by money as a success measurement.</p>
<p>If you want to get a PhD in physics, I don’t see the point in getting an MS in engineering first (the BS is okay since you’re pairing it with physics). Frankly I think it makes you less likely to get accepted to a good physics grad school.</p>
<p>I agree with Tom. I think admissions committees might see your MechE MS and then wonder why you’re going back in a fairly different department.</p>
<p>Honestly, at the research level, lines between fields become blurred and there’s a very good chance you’ll wind up doing some work of a different kind of engineer/scientist. Engineering is applying science, and at the research level, you’re quite often doing science. The biggest difference a second major will give you is another way to approach a problem. I don’t think a MS will honestly do much to make a MechE think more like a MechE, since at the graduate level you’ll be doing mostly physics for your coursework, anyway.</p>
<p>If I were you, I’d stick with the double major if you can do it in 4 years, otherwise I’d drop one of the two to a minor, take only the courses I’m really interested in, and then go to grad school for the one I feel is more in line with my interests. Also, be sure to get your butt into a lab and learn what actually doing research work is like.</p>
<p>As a practical matter, an experimental physicist will often have to learn something about mechanical engineering (or electrical engineering) when designing new equipment. When we built our x-ray beam lines at the Advanced Photon Source, we put together a team of physicists and engineers and we all learned from each other. As you go on in your research career, you will learn what you need to get your job done so don’t spend too much time in accumulating courses and degrees.</p>
<p>I think that if you’re interested in really cutting edge technology and research, then theoretical/engineering/applied or even computational physics will serve you better than any specific engineering discipline. Why? Because I think it’s about deeper understanding of the phenomena and measuring, whereas engineering is a lot about known practices, known technologies and “things that have been found to work in the real world”/rules of thumb, as well as all the other engineering related stuff (economics, regulations, industry standards etc.).</p>
<p>Now sure you’ll lack the engineering knowledge (i.e. the knowledge of things and practices that have straight applicability right now or things that “have been found to work in the real world”), if pursuing pure physics, but I would say that it’ll serve a more foundational base for really understanding physics (which is needed for cutting edge stuff that hasn’t been seen). Keep in mind however that whatever you pursue, you’ll be almost certainly working in a multidisciplinary environment with experts from other relevant fields and specialities. Thus, don’t try to do or know everything yourself, instead, find a niche that you want to specialize in.</p>
<p>@Reactor- Thank you, this was a very well thought out response and it has helped me think about my goals and i’m going to drop Mech. Eng and pursue a Physics degree! </p>
<p>Thank you so much for the insightful advice</p>
<p>Just going to say if you’re planning on going to grad school, this couldn’t be further from the truth when you get involved in graduate level classes and research.</p>
<p>I will agree with trying to find your niche and excelling at it. You can still think about MechE if there are particular classes you’re interested in, just take those. Don’t worry about getting a minor or a double major, since they’re just a piece of paper. Take things that’ll enrich your own college experience the best.</p>