Degree in Engineering or Physics

[Gazpar]

Hi, Im undecided about which degree is better.

Im currently studying Electronics Engineering and I was wondering If switching to physics is also a good choice?

I like physics no doubt but It seems , here in my country, the career is not as valuable as an Engineering degree (good pay, perfect job market). So I have chosen engineering instead, but I dont think physics on it are deep enough.

 

So I had two ideas:

1) Finish my undergraduate engineering degree and aim for a phd on physics while I study physics subjects that are were not in my degree (quantum mechanics, relativity, etc) and do a mastery.

2)Switch to physics undergrad, finish it and go for a phd and a mastery and do research ( I would not like to be a professor or something of that kind)

What do you think?

[Prometheus]

I would personally opt for a physics degree as my understanding is there is nothing you cannot do with a physics degree that you can with an engineering degree but there are some things you can do with physics degree that you cannot do with an engineering degree ( or at least harder to get into). Hence physics a more flexible.

 

This is just my impression though, I'm interested to hear from others whether this is accurate.

[Sensei]

I would not like to be a professor or something of that kind

Majority of quantum physicists will never find anything new, nor will become famous..

 

What do you think?

That depends on which year you're in engineering. The closer finishing what you already started the less sense abandoning it, without a good reason.

 

And how good you are in engineering?

 

Are you making your own electronic devices at home (not homework).. ?

 

Controlling made by yourself electronics from computer, from your own software, remotely or by wire plugged to usb, always sounded to me entertaining..

[timo]

A few comments:

- Be aware that the reasons you stated for orignally going into engineering (better job market) are still the same as before.

- The job market for physics PhDs is generally good, just not as good as for engineers.

- I am undecided about the question whether to go to a PhD in physics from an engineering undergrad degree or from a physics one. The physics one prepares you better and the engineering undergrad degree is unlikely to help much in job applications once you have a PhD in physics. On the other hand there are two reasons that may shift the favor towards the engineering undergrad: 1) you may have spent some time on it already and would have to start from scratch in physics, and 2) you already changed your mind about your future once and may do so again in the future: engineering gives you a much better opportunity to decide between going for the PhD route or the "real job" route. An undergrad in physics doesn't prepare you for much except a PhD program in physics.