Yeah you got it right from the title, I’m very confused. Right now I’m in my senior year of high school and will have to apply soon to universities. Out of the three majors in the title, I’m pretty sure that I like physics the most. However, everyone I have met tells me that there are not many job opportunities in physics. People also tell me that pursuing physics is super hard and stuff and that you just need to study all the time to be able to do something.
As of Mech. Eng, I’m considering it because it is closely related to physics. Also, you only need a bachelors degree for a decent job. But the problem is that its course doesn’t include all the wonders of physics like quantum mechanics and relativity which I really want to study.
I’m only considering computer science because it can get you the most paid job right now and very easily. But I don’t like math and so don’t want to do it as I have heard that it includes a lot of math. Does it?
I was shocked by something I read today. Acc to Bureau of Labor Statistics, physicists are paid more than mech. engineers. But it said that you definetly need a phd in physics to get a good job. I also think that you have no job security you just keep moving from one place to another.
Is it a good option to major in Mech. and minor in physics. Does a physics minor include the interesting topics ?
I really need some advice. Thanks.
All three majors are going to include a lot of math.
Ok, first things first all three fields require substantial amounts of math. Physics requires the most math out of all three, a physics degree at many schools basically gives one a math minor. As for employment in the field itself, different branches have different degree expectations, but an advanced degree is a de facto requirement in the majority. Being a physicist (researcher) requires a PhD and is a very competitive field.
Mechanical Engineering also requires a lot of math. At many schools the program does require at least one if not two or three semesters of calculus based physics. I do not know if this would give you your fill or not.
It sounds like your interest is in qualitative physics, with statements like “exploring the wonders of physics”. There really isn’t such thing as qualitative physics above the high school level, the more advanced, the more quantitative it gets.
Physics majors from my university often get quite good jobs with a BS degree. It is not necessarily in physics however. THey compete form programming jobs and engineering jobs and because the physics degree often has more electives available than engineering degrees, it is possible to add in some computer design courses or more programming courses to give you skills to compete. When I was an undergraduate, I took a number of extra electrical engineering and CS courses. Another alternative which can give you a foot in both camps is an Engineering Physics or Applied Physics degree. These usually have a mix of advanced physics and engineering courses and students with these degrees can certainly go for engineering jobs.
If you want to study for a advanced degree in physics you will need to have a solid physics degree to be able to enter a graduate program. Any of the two degrees I mentioned can give you that as well as the traditional Physics major.
The bottom line I tell my student advisees is that if they are not real keen on engineering or computer science, then stick with physics at lease at the start. It is important to really enjoy what you are studying and the physics degree is certainly employable. Check out the statistics from the [American Institute of Physics](Latest employment data for physicists, astronomers and related scientists | American Institute of Physics).