Physics or Engineering?

<p>As the deadlines of college admission approach, I really start to think about what I should study in college. </p>

<p>I love physics. And by that I mean I really love physics, not just those popular science about time traveling and all those junk, but also the more "real" physics like how the Maxwell's Equation lead to EM waves. I do realize that college physics is nothing like high school physics, but I do sure that I would enjoy to be a physics major.</p>

<p>Yet, as I research deeper, it seems to me that for science students, going into engineering is by far more economical than studying pure science. To be honest, I have little passion in engineering (as I hated all those rocket-building lab, robots or whatever in my high school). And I really don't care if I would end up in a career that have nothing to deal with physics. I am realistic enough to not dreaming to work in academia, and I actually have little interest to be involved in research (Although I particularly hate those "engineering" lab, I really just dislike lab in general). But considering that my family is not really in a good financial situation and the great possibility that I would not go any farther than an undergrad degree,I really start to think if going to engineering would be a wiser choice?</p>

<p>And just for reference, my primary interest in physics is relativity (which is my current goal in studying), astrophysics and perhaps condensed matter but not so much in the particle world. (I know it may be way too early to say where I interested in...). For subject outside of physics, I am somewhat interested in atmospheric science, mainly meteorology (which seems to me is another of those that won't make money?) And so I guess for engineering, my first choice would be aerospace and mechanical. And finally I think it is necessary for me to point out that, although I am somewhat good in math ,I don't like math. I don't necessarily hate math, and I actually appreciate how math is used in physics. But without the physical context, I just have no love for math. And I actually hate to deal with it when it come to those tedious calculations. (That's why chemistry is not on my list, I am so sick of stoichemetry).</p>

<p>Thanks for reading all that. I know that is an old question that had been asked for several thousands time already...</p>

<p>Science is studying how the universe works.</p>

<p>Engineering is solving design problems using scientific principles.</p>

<p>Many physics graduates end up in jobs other than physics jobs. However, they tend to do better than other science majors, since they are more likely to be hired into CS, finance, and some types of engineering jobs (though they would be second choice behind CS majors for CS jobs, etc.). Of course, elective choices can help with preparation for backup job and career options if you major in physics.</p>

<p>For what it’s worth, if you don’t enjoy math or tedious calculations, there will be a great deal of physics and engineering that you will not like. Physics is a very conceptual science at its core, but math is the primary tool used in actually -doing- physics. There are a lot of tedious calculations involving long strings of decimals, exponents, fractions etc. There’s a lot of algebra and calculus involved in it. There will also be quite a few labs left to complete as a physics or engineering major. You’ll have labs for Physics I, II, and III…as well as a couple of upper level advanced labs that go into a lot of depth. </p>

<p>One possible way of looking at this - It’s generally quite easy for a person who majored in physics during their undergrad to go on to grad school for engineering. It’s typically not so easy for an undergraduate engineering major to go on to graduate school for physics. Engineering majors typically only take the introductory calculus based physics sequence, and a couple of upper level ‘engineering physics’ courses that basically consist of the fields of physics relevant to their field of engineering. The rest of their courses will be strictly engineering courses. </p>

<p>A physics major will take the introductory physics sequence, plus a semester or two each of classical mechanics, E&M, and quantum, plus a semester of thermodynamics, relativity, a couple semesters of advanced labs etc. An engineering major that wants to go to grad school for physics is going to have considerably more catching up to do than the physics major that wants to go to grad school for engineering. </p>

<p>If you are most interested in physics then major in physics. You should not choose engineering as a major just because of a potential job. As others have said, physics majors have good job prospects and can compete for engineering and CS jobs.</p>

<p>I’ve been on the same boat as you man. I was about to go into into engineering for the high staring pay and economic stability; and while it is totally true that engineering is more secure and likely to pay better, it wasn’t what I was truly interested in. So I’m not expecting to make millions in the future, but at least I’ll get to do something I enjoy for my work, or at least have the chance at attaining such a job. So I guess what I am trying to tell you is that while engineering is definitely more secure and almost certainly going to pay better, major in whatever it is that will make you happy ( realistic expectations are necessary though). You don’t want to study something your not interested in and pigeon hole yourself for the rest of your life, and wonder what life would’ve been like as a physicist, chemist, or whatver.</p>