Physics and engineering are the two primary choices for any student during the crucial years. To decide which one makes the right choice for you, you need first to understand what each of them consists of to make a better and informed decision. It’s crucial to understand the in and out of a particular discipline because it decides your entire life. At the end of this article, you will be able to choose between a physics and engineering degree, or you never know you may find a middle way that can give you the best of both worlds. Let us know about “Physics Vs. Engineering Degree”
In this article, you will know what all the physics and engineering degree courses consist of and how you can obtain them? What will you get by pursuing a degree in either of them and then we will evaluate what the significant difference between them is?
Physics Degree: What’s In It?
Physics is one of the most important branches of science and is one of the most popular courses amongst students. Choosing physics as a carrier has a lot to offer to you. The list is both exhaustive and engaging:-
If you are in love with maths, then this is for you. You will land up with many math courses that involve calculus, vector differentiation, algebra, complex numbers, statistics, etc.
A lot of maths is then followed by a lot of classical and quantum mechanics. This is typically followed if you are doing a theoretical physics degree.
Next, you learn a lot more about electromagnetism than you did in schools.
This is further followed by optics, thermal physics, relativity, and a bundle of exciting lab work.
How Do Obtain A physics Degree?
To study physics at a USA university, there are some prerequisites. They are mentioned as below:-
The first major requirement is you’ll be required to have completed secondary-level qualifications in both the subjects physics as well as mathematics.
You will graduate in three or four years with a Bachelor of Science (BSc). There are various universities that do offer the option to continue studying for an additional one or two years. If you choose this option post the completion of term, you will be graduating with a Master of Physics (MPhys) or a Master of Science (MSci)
You can also choose to apply for a separate master’s program after completing the bachelor’s degree.
What’s In It For You?
Employability using a physics degree depends a lot on how much expertise you have and the university from where you have obtained the physics degree. By securing a degree in physics, you can choose various attractive career options both in private and government sectors such as:-
Scientist
Lecturer
Information technology
Aviation and Aerospace
Biomedical engineering
Robotics
Physical Science
Data Science
Artificial Intelligence
Management
Nanotechnology
Statistician
Lab supervisor
Lab technician
Data analyst
Quality control manager
Space scientist
Radiologist
Geologist
Treasury management specialist
Meteorologist
Consultant
Research head
Radiation Oncologist.
Engineering Degree: What’s In It?
Engineering is a profession that reaches out to every industry in the world. This degree can be for anywhere between a high school student or an industry expert keen on learning more. These engineering degrees are of various kinds and hence are the subjects they covered. Some significant kinds of engineering degree types are:-
Mechanical Engineering:- This is the most popular branch. The degree is so broad that you can go almost in any field from aerospace to air conditioning design with this degree. It mainly focuses on the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. Some of the critical components of this degree are stress analysis, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, mechanism design, etc.
Civil Engineering:- This is the oldest kind of engineering. It deals with urban planning, water treatments, and structural design and is in relationship with the construction industry, and often comes loaded with hands-on experience. The critical components of the degree would be Hydraulics, Geotechnics, statics, mechanism of materials.
Electrical Engineering:- This revolves around electronics circuits and computers. The critical components of this degree consist of courses, electronics, and computers.
Biomedical Engineering:- It is the most specialized discipline amongst all kinds of engineering degrees. You will be working in close relation with mechanical and electrical engineers. The critical components of this branch are biological devices, electronics, and mechanics.
Chemical Engineering:- Here, you have the opportunity to design life-saving drugs or redesign common foods. Some of the critical components would be chemistry, mathematics, life sciences, and lab work.
How To Obtain An Engineering Degree?
Requirements for the engineering programs may vary from one college to another, depending upon various factors. But some common prerequisites are mostly asked by almost all the universities. The list of the same is mentioned as below:-
Most schools need students to have studied high-level maths and science courses as part of their general education curriculum.
Many universities either ask for or offer various classes that allow engineering students to explore and understand the different specialisations within the given field.
However, some colleges also require that students pass maths and physics proficiency tests, before enrolling for their programs..
What’s In It For You?
With an engineering degree, you can do almost anything and everything. Some of the most common choices post engineering are:-
You can choose to continue to study further.
You can be an entrepreneur.
You can opt for private job sectors and choose campus placements.
You can also choose to join public service undertakings.
Engineers are also hired for civil services by UPSC.
The armed forces and merchant navy also recruit a vast majority of engineers.
You can become an engineering professor or can tutor other aspiring students.
Physics Or Engineering Degree: Which Is Better?
From the detailed description of both physics and engineering degrees mentioned above, we can conclude that both of them have their own sets of pros and cons. Let’s check them one by one.
Engineering Degree:- It is recognized as a degree that offers a more precise and direct path. You can start a good salary right out of college, only with a bachelor’s degree in hand. You don’t start right away with your sci-fi dream project right after landing a job. You have to climb the ladder to secure that position.
Physics Degree:- It has a wide range of sectors to get great job opportunities. You get to learn a lot in a single discipline as well. The cons are you need to have a minimum of a Ph.D. to work as a physicist. Career path at times may not be very well defined in terms of making informed choices. With a physics degree, it’s not a universal rule that after doing a Ph.D., you will always land up with a great University like Stanford, MIT, etc.
Key Takeaway:-
So if you are still confused and want the best of both worlds, you can choose to study engineering physics. You can always go from doing a bachelor’s in physics to a master’s in engineering and vice versa. The only thing you need to remember is while switching from Physics to engineering, and you need to take a few extra classes in the beginning.
However, if you want to go to a Physics master’s from engineering minor, you would need completed coursework. You may need to appear for specific exams that test your physics knowledge, such as in the US, there are GRE physics exams. In.order to clear these exams, you can either do self-study or take extra classes.
So, always remember that while choosing between a physics degree and an engineering degree, always be informed and choose the right career choice for yourself. Because this choice will further help you build your career ladder.
