<p>Well, that's the dilemma. I'm not sure if I want to pursue Civil Engineering. For what good is a BS and an MS in Physics?</p>
<p>you can become an engineer with a bachelors in physics. that's pretty established. physics is most directly applicable to electrical engineering, but it's not uncommon to go to different areas of engineering like civE. you can work in the semiconductor industry with a physics degree, do solid-state research...anything is possible. if you really want to do engineering, consider a school that offers applied physics / engineering physics as a major...it's the best of both worlds.</p>
<p>Well, I'll probably be attending the University of Houston. As far as engineering goes at this point, structural/transportation is what I've been leaning towards, but when I think about it, I'm not sure if I'd have the most fun as a structural/transportation engineer. I don't know. I guess I should look into what I could do with the physics degree. I see no reason why I wouldn't shoot for an MS either. How do I go about this, though? Do I find what intellectually fascinates and invokes my innate curiosity or what?</p>
<p>Why are you considering civil engineering and not other engineering majors as well? As p reepa said, there's probably more physics involved in electrical engineering (you apply more of it in day to day work I'm assuming). In civil engineering you won't ever really apply advanced physics; you'll basically use mechanics (statics and dynamics) and that's about it. I'm kind of surprised you would think about choosing civil over electrical considering your passion is physics.</p>
<p>Well, I did want to study electrical engineering in high school, but I came to the conclusion it's not really where my interests lie in physics. I am somewhat partial to Newtonian physics. That's why I've considered aerospace engineering but also materials science as well. So, I think I'm kind of leaning away from electrodynamics and so forth in a sense. I'm probably not making any sense right now. I had a root canal today and a temporary crown put on earlier. Waiting time was almost two hours with three hours in the dentist chair.</p>
<p>To be honest, though, physics and mathematics in general interest me quite a bit. I want to learn an adequate amount of everything but of course specialize in whatever piques more of my interest as I prod.</p>
<p>You should know that a major component of structural engineering is designing based on codes, which may or may not interest you. aibarr is a structural engineer, so perhaps you should talk to her. She doesn't visit these forums anymore, but if I remember correctly, she left an email to contact her if anybody had any questions in her goodbye post somewhere in this forum. Do a search I guess.</p>
<p>hey shackleford, i'm interested in materials science and solid state physics as well. you mentioned that you're partial to newtonian physics. however, modern physics, including materials science and solid-state, are not related to newtonian mechanics in any way. i mean...they are sort of, but the overarching theory governing the subatomic is quantum mechanics. also, you'll need to have a solid foundation in all areas of physics in order to suceed as an engineer or physicist...including electromagnetism, quantum theory, optics, etc.</p>
<p>engineering is basically applied physics. i just looked up some MIT civ eng. professors, and they have degrees ranging from marine biology and ocean engineering to geophysics. its all about where your interests lie. i think that civil engineering is a combination of geophysics, physics, and design concepts, so maybe a double major in geoscience / physics would suit your desires. i'm sure you'll have no trouble with future career options if you do what interests you the most.</p>
<p>Yeah, AIR BEAR and I have chatted on occasion about structural engineering and such. She was helpful.</p>
<p>I'm also aware modern science concerns itself with quantum physics, not newtonian. UH does offer a BS in physics with a geophysics specialization. I'm also considering that, too. It would be a great degree to have in the Houston area as well. Well, I appreciate everyone's input. Now, I guess I just have to do some more self-assessment to see what my interests truly are.</p>
<p>I'm having a similar problem, but its with EE or physics</p>
<p>From what I have gathered, it is MUCH MUCH MUCH more difficult to go BS in engineering to MS or PhD in physics, than to go from a BS in Physics to a MS or PhD in engineering. I know of a couple of people that have done the latter but none the former.</p>
<p>Also, your going to get out of mechanics after your first or second year and get into some stuff that you might not like as much. If you really love mechanics a civE, MechE, AeroE, or, even better, an Engineering Science/Mechanics degree would be much more interesting, because your not too worried about how the protons in your system are put together, your just worried about how the system works.</p>
<p>Yeah, if I decide Physics isn't for me I could always take a few discipline-specific courses in engineering and finish a Master's. UH doesn't have an Engineering Science degree. I'm piecing together the Geophysics courses for a minor in Geophysics and BS in Physics. Like I mentioned earlier, it would be a very marketable degree to have around the unofficial energy capital of the world, too.</p>