<p>I am considering changing my major to Applied Physics, but my ultimate goal is a MS in engineering (haven't narrowed it down yet). Will a Physics major be successful in engineering grad school?
Thanks!</p>
<p>That’s impossible to say with anything anywhere close to certainty, as it would depend highly on the individual. It does happen frequently however, so it can be done.</p>
<p>I agree with boneh3ad’s answer.</p>
<p>I have seen many transitioning from Physics to Electrical Engineering without any problem.</p>
<p>Huskydad is right.</p>
<p>There were some grad students in my electrical engineering courses that were physics undergrads. The two fields have a lot of overlap, especially in RF/emag, lasers/optics, and solid state.</p>
<p>I guess I didn’t word that properly. Do Engineering grad students that have an undergraduate degree in Physics/Applied Physics usually feel at all disadvantaged or unprepared due to not having an undergraduate degree in engineering?</p>
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<p>I was not a Physics major, but I was a Math major who went on to do a M.S. in Engineering. As far as feeling “disadvantaged”, it really depends on two things:</p>
<p>1) The engineering area you select in grad school
2) The preparation you have for the graduate engineering courses (prior courses or actual experience).</p>
<p>Of course, if you select to get a M.S./M.Eng in Chemical Engineering, well you may be more disadvantaged than others. If you select a M.S./M.Eng program that focuses on the EE areas that cross with Physics (EM, RF, etc), then you will not be disadvantaged at all.</p>
<p>One more factor is the reason that you want the M.S. in Engineering. As for myself, I noticed that while having an undergraduate Math degree was great for entry/mid-career engineering positions (doing software engineering or software/systems engineering), many senior-and-higher engineering positions favored graduate ENGINEERING degrees. Many times, they were not too picky on the exact specialty of engineering, but they wanted that diploma to read “Master of Science in Engineering”, “Master of Science in Whatever Engineering” or “Master of Engineering”…so I went for a plain 'ole “Master of Science in Engineering” (no specialty).</p>
<p>The “Master of Science in Engineering” (no specialty) and the “Master of Engineering” degrees are many times for those Math/Physics majors who want a graduate engineering degree.</p>
<p>Globaltraveler, I do plan to specialize, I just haven’t narrowed it down yet. That’s what I meant by the, “(haven’t narrowed it down yet)” in the original post. I’ll probably go with mechanical, computer, or electrical. Although, I am really enjoying my chemistry class. Thanks for the input!</p>
<p>Sure, it happens all all the time. With applied physics you could already have a lot of relevant courses. The good thing with physics is that you can go to Chemical (this is more physics than chemistry), Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or Materials Engineering with the same level of effort. You might have a few courses to take but if you choose your electives appropriately, you can minimize this.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight guys. Everyone has been super helpful!</p>