<p>I've been accepted to college of engineering for fall 2009 (as a freshmen), and Michigan is near the top of my list if I can afford the oos tuition. I know Michigan engineering is great all round, but how is the physics department? I'm not certain I want to stay in engineering, and might eventually transfer into LSA to get a degree in physics alone. Although engineering seems more practical, I'm still interested in a pure physics degree. </p>
<p>How is the physics department relative to the quality of the college of engineering? </p>
<p>How does it compare to some of the other schools I'm looking at (Berkeley, UIUC, UW-Madison, and University of Washington (in state))? </p>
<p>How much research is there available for undergrads? More/less than in engineering, or are the research opportunities in physics and engineering pretty much one in the same? </p>
<p>Thanks so much, answers to the questions above, in addition to any information at all on the department (overall impressions, reputation, etc) will be much appreciated!</p>
<p>I remember there weren't too many Physics majors, but they do well. In terms of reputation, it's better than all of those schools, except Berkeley). </p>
<p>I was an engineering major, and research opportunities really doesn't depend on your major. If you do UROP, you should be able to establish relationships with a number of faculty easily, and undergraduate research intensity is really dependent on yourself and how you want that experience to be. If you want to just hang around a lab and not take too much initiative, you will just do grunt work all day. However, if you show genuine interest in the research, that will show and you will take up more responsibilities throughout your college career.</p>
<p>What exactly is the difference in coursework that an engineering major and say a physics major will take? I've heard references to "watered down" physics or math courses for engineers, but what does this really mean? Is there just more of an emphasis on the application in the engineering courses whereas those for a physics major would have more of an emphasis on the theory? </p>
<p>As far as Berkeley is concerned, are the two program about on par, or is Berkeley's program significantly better? I'm not really sure how to define "better" unfortunately, but hopefully you know what I mean since you were able to compare the different schools I already mentioned. </p>
<p>Also, what sort of job opportunities are there for a physics major? Assuming I pursued a graduate degree regardless of whether I decided to remain in engineering or transfer into physics, what would the job market look like? I have a fairly decent idea of what an engineer would do on a day to day basis, but what does a physicist's career look like? Is it pretty much work in labs and/or teach? </p>
<p>Thanks again for the input. A little more context regarding why this is important: I'm a WA resident, and although the UW is a great school especially for the in state tuition, I would like to go out of state to a really great engineering/physics school if I can afford it. Have already been admitted to Michigan, and have a cousin finishing up his undergrad in aero who loves it. Assuming I don't get either of my reaches (Stanford or Cornell), going out of state would probably come down to deciding between Michigan and Berkeley (hoping I get in, which is far from a given). Although I could see myself in engineering, I also really enjoy physics as a subject and the theory behind it, so I'd like to keep my options open and put myself somewhere with phenomenal engineering and physics programs. However, I haven't found that much to distinguish these two schools in these programs, and have the impression that they are almost comparable, with maybe a slight edge to Berkeley, but nothing significant. Thus, trying to get more details.</p>
<p>The difference in coursework for an engineering major and a physics major is that an engineering major will take 2 semesters of intro physics, while a physics major will take lots and lots of physics.</p>
<p>How feasible and/or practical would an engineering/physics double major be? Would it have any benefits other than personal interest when looking/competing for a job?</p>