Question about physics education and names of degree programs

[bananaharvester]

Hello there everyone. I'm curious about where the boundaries between applied physics and engineering physics are or if it's just a naming convention at some universities? Not to mention some universities call it technical physics? The main thing I can think of is that some engineering physics programs allow you to become a licensed engineer while that's not necessarily the case for many programs called "Applied physics". Not to mention that "applied physics" probably has a larger focus than engineering physics, focusing on experimental aspects that probably have nothing to do with machinery or technological development.

[iu360]

Hello
Physics education typically starts with foundational degree programs such as a Bachelor's in Physics, which covers classical mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics. Advanced study may lead to a Master's or PhD in specialized areas like Astrophysics, Condensed Matter Physics, or Particle Physics. These programs prepare students for careers in research, academia, and applied science fields.

[MigL]

Naming conventions like technical/applied/engineering Physics are essentially engineering.

As I like to tell the ring wearing engineers I work with ...
"All those fancy equations you work with, for heat transfer, flows, stress/strain, etc., I once used to derive from first principles."

[studiot]

On 9/14/2024 at 3:58 AM, bananaharvester said:

Hello there everyone. I'm curious about where the boundaries between applied physics and engineering physics are or if it's just a naming convention at some universities? Not to mention some universities call it technical physics? The main thing I can think of is that some engineering physics programs allow you to become a licensed engineer while that's not necessarily the case for many programs called "Applied physics". Not to mention that "applied physics" probably has a larger focus than engineering physics, focusing on experimental aspects that probably have nothing to do with machinery or technological development.

 

Well I see you haven't visited for more than a month so perhaps you are not really interesed in your subject.
I was going to ask if you were thinking of applying for some sort of applied physics course but looking at the widely spread sunject range of your postings I really can't guess where you are going with this.

 

Have you never been to the doctor or the pharmacist ?

My local district hospital has a department of medical (applied) physics.
You won't get very far with MRI or tomography or Chemistry in general without physics.

How about the Earth Sciences -  oceanography, geophysics, etc.

Or the rapidly developing biophysics.

What about physics in art?

There is significant overlap between the sciences in general and even other subjects like art for applied physics to apply to all sorts of activities other than engineering.

 

32 minutes ago, MigL said:

As I like to tell the ring wearing engineers I work with ...

Ring wearing engineers ?

I know of an (electronics) engineer at Marconi, who lost a finger in a radar beam, due to wearing a ring.