<p>I'm going to pursue a Physics degree rather than a Civil Engineering degree. I am just about finished with all of the cores in either case.</p>
<p>If you don't get an ABET accredited degree you cannot become a PE. So you won't be able to get a job as a "real" engineer building bridges, buildings, etc....That's the difference.</p>
<p>Sorry. I was ambiguous in my inquiry.</p>
<p>What will the differences be, academically and conceptually?</p>
<p>civE is a very applied degree. you learn about real world flow through a pipe, how to design a building so it won't fall down, and how to manage a construction crew (among many other things). A physics degree is much more conceptual. you learn about sub atomic particles, magnetic fields, optics, etc... If you get a civE degree there WILL be a job for you. I don't know about physics jobs outside of academic research.</p>
<p>I figured it wouldn't be as application-based, but what about the workload? I'm going to minor in Geophysics, by the way.</p>
<p>Depending on the school civE is not too bad in terms of workload, at least not compared with EE or ChemE. I don't know much about the work load of geophysics majors. IF you want to actually build or design things go into engineering. Engineers have more job opportunities. they are seen as more "practical and useful" than science majors. I think there a good thread on CC about not going into science. I know when I worked in one lab with a bio majors they all complained that there were no jobs for people with a BS or MS in bio. (some went back to school to get degrees in patent law) from what I can gather it's a similar situation for physics majors.</p>
<p>Physics major, Geophysics minor.</p>
<p>Well, my best friend and I are finally starting a business, so conceivably, that could provide me adequate income for the rest of my life when it takes off. I really want an education just to have the knowledge in itself. I figured out I wasn't going to school to do something in particular. I just want the mathematics and physics knowledge if for nothing else just to have them.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you don't get an ABET accredited degree you cannot become a PE. So you won't be able to get a job as a "real" engineer building bridges, buildings, etc....That's the difference.
[/quote]
All states prefer ABET-accredited BS degrees for PE licensure, and some states strictly require them. In practice, the vast majority of PEs have ABET degrees.</p>
<p>But many states (probably most) do have alternative pathways for licensure as well. If you have a BS in a related science, or in engineering technology, you can often still qualify for the PE by earning an approved engineering MS degree, and/or with additional qualifying work experience.</p>
<p>ASCE and NCEES have recommended the MS degree, or equivalent graduate-level coursework, as the new standard for PE licensure. This change is likely to start slowly taking effect, on a state-by-state basis, over the next decade. The proposed new rules would also allow science BS graduates to become PEs, if they also earned an approved engineering MS.</p>
<p>Incidentally, geophysicists are licensed in a few jurisdictions (CA, TX, Alberta). A licensed geophysicist would not have the same broad design authority as a civil PE, but he would likely have some legal authority to evaluate subsurface conditions pertaining to engineering projects, much as licensed geologists do.</p>
<p>Physics majors can have success in many fields, you just need to market yourself correctly.</p>
<p>Unlike bio, which doesn't have much respect "quant wise", both math and physics people are known to be smart, quick learners that can do modeling/excel/programming etc.</p>
<p>One case in particular would be the oil industry. Shell actually has recruitment programs specifically for Geophysics background. </p>
<p>So for example, you could get your BS in Physics, a MS in petro-engineering and become an oil modeler. Or even just get in with the BS.</p>
<p>of course if your dream is to only make X, where X is bridge, car, computer chip, etc...you should major in the respective field. however, physics or math will get you the generalist smart guy reputation that can be quite marketable.</p>
<p>If I do decide to use my degree(s) for work, having the Geophysics minor will be very useful in Houston. I live RIGHT outside the Houston city limits in Pearland.</p>
<p>Ditto the oil industry and Shell. D1's roomate (a girl) switched from environmental engrg to Geology (straight geology, not geophysics, but the same dynamics may apply), and she is a bloody genius and the profs love her, so man, Shell is throwing money at her like crazy. They give her scholarships, paid summer internships, a $60k job offer, plus they've told her if anyone else offers her a job at a higher salary, they will match it no matter the amount. If you live in Houston and wouldn't mind working for Shell, definitely check it out.</p>
<p>Oh, they also want her to go to grad school and have said they will pay for anywhere she gets in no matter the cost, plus a living allowance. Then they will give her a higher starting salary after the grad degree.</p>
<p>Wow. That's pretty impressive. I'm hoping this business will take off and eventually give us a decent living. In that case, I can just "enjoy" the knowledge I gained in college. Haha. Maybe even take up a "side job", too, at Shell or Exxon or somewhere else where I could use the Physics/Geophysics degree! lol.</p>
<p>Ok. What about conceptually and work wise? Is there any trade off? Maybe the physics degree will be a little more difficult conceptually but the workload might be somewhat less intense?</p>