Physics Vs Electrical Engineering: How to Pick the Right Major
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The undergraduate curriculum for physics and electrical engineering have some similarities that students may not be aware of. With both majors you get to see circuits, basics physics concepts, and even electromagnetic waves.
Physics majors will see more math in their curriculum, while electrical engineers do more labs and learn more equipment.
Typically engineers will have higher pay and job opportunities than science majors. However, that shouldn't cause students to not pursue a degree in physics. Physics majors have a wide range of careers from engineering jobs to research jobs to programming jobs. Just make sure you plan ahead for what you want to do in your career, and cater your 4 years in college to that future success.
Physics majors have multiple concentrations that aren't discussed in this video but just know their curriculum can go many different ways and you should do more research on those topics.
If high level math and physics does interest you BUT you still want to go into electrical engineering. I recommend you concentrate in RF or optics because in those concentrations you learn MORE physics concepts but apply them to engineering principles.
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Im electrical engineering student, and actually, we have quantum mechanics (we need it to understand semiconductors!) and partial differential equations (to simulate different systems).
Luca Agostini we don't have quantum mechanics courses. just some basics in the solid state courses and that's it. you will never hear about schrodinger's cat in an engineering course
we have other stuff to worry about
cool
Luca Agostini REALLY? That is pretty cool! I’m currently thinking about double majoring in physics and electrical engineering and my decision was mainly because I wanted to understand quantum physics for the future of electronics.
@@alexanderquilty5705 we need more girls in STEM
I am also confused between Electrical Engineering and Physics Major. I like the weird concepts of quantum mechanics like quantum entanglement one and also some sort of theory of relativity but I am still confused between these two. Can anybody help?
i graduated with an extremely weak CS bachelor's and made great money out of uni, but sadly realized i hated staring at the computer 24/7 (among other problems w the job). I tried to get into embedded systems but realized competing against EEs is impossible. Then I realized physics had *enough* of what I wanted to learn and do of EE, and had *so much more* of things I didn't even know I absolutely loved. Depending on my entrance exams, I'll be doing my second bachelor's in physics from this or next year. But let me say I have enormous respect for EEs and their precise, sharp knowledge. Impressive as fuck
Why am I watching this !?!
I'm already an Electrical Engineer :D
Lol I'm sure a lot of us watching are 😄
@@RohitKumar-gg5yx Sorry for the late reply lol.
Yes. There's a wide variety of things you can do within Electrical Engineering and if you like Engineering in general, there's definitely something you'll find enjoyable.
I couldn't decide what to pick either EE or Physics. So I am currently doing double majoring in both of them.
Hey same here! How's it going? Are you planning to go for Academia?
@@userpablo3037 I am still in both of the majors,but I am leaning more toward EE,I want to do PhD in EE or something that combines both ,but I definitely I want to stay in academic
@@gouledawad2377 learn engineering physics
@@YoungEli9 hey I’m about to start electrical engineering, tell me, how hard is it on a scale of 1-10?
@@elizermukendi449 it’s really not that hard when u take the time to apply the concepts, on average its a 8, just be dedicated to learn more
The two majors that I'm currently debating! Thanks a lot!
Nathan Savoy Hi Nathan, which did you choose?
Steve Huguenin witch did you choose???
Just quarious...
Be Tony Stark. Double major.
Physics and Electrical Engineering
Yui
Vector Analysis and PDEs are taught heavily in EE too, especially important for RF/Microwave Engin eering
Thanks a lot Zach Starr, your videos are helpful and very informative. I like the way you organize the details of each major into sections. I’m going with electrical engineering. I tried Physics but I didn’t like it becuz the math is a pain in the ass and I’m interested in science that deals with high technology design and development.
Great presentation, thank you for sharing.
In EM theory, Maxwell's equations are partial differential equations.
Classical mechanics is a lot more than just balistics and rocket equations. You study the Lagrangian formulation, principle of least action, and Hamiltonians.
Don't plan on doing research with a Bachlor's degree. You'll be doing lab assistant work instead. Research positions are highly competitive will likely require a PhD.
I was required to take Thermodynamics as an EE major.
Thanks for your efforts ❤❤
you are an awesome person .keep going
Thank you!
Thank you I really needed this :)
Some physics majors I know have had to do intermediate programming courses (usually C++). I'm an EE major and the course requirements that I found at mutlple colleges all had calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra in there. As well as a stats class or two. I'm pretty sure that's part of the ABET accreditation.
Thanks for the video!
Thank you this video was very helpful ;)
What you can do if you really like both but want to still be highly employable, is to get a B.S. in physics in undergrad and then get a masters in electrical engineering in graduate school which will make you more employable and often receive higher salary than if you just got an undergrad degree in electrical engineering also makes it more easily possible to get a lead engineer position given the masters.
Double major in both
@@anthonystark7740 i mean if you hate yourself lol
@@lexrogan2207 lol
Does it work if we take electrical engineering 1st?
Wyatt Bettis a MBA degree and a PE license also sound like a really good idea.
Wow you definitely blew my mind with this new video! Every of these are actually great. Can we contribute or donate for your work?
Thanks Steve! I'm really glad these are helping out. And we just made a patreon account www.patreon.com/majorprep. If you want donate we really appreciate it, otherwise thanks for the positive feedback!
Surely, by next month. ;-)
I just notice that the content subjects of Physics major is very similar to those of Mechanical Engineering. Can you make a video comparing those two!?
These videos are so incredibly helpful, thank u so much for making them, they really do help alot! I'm in the UK and currently trying to pick what degree to take (atm I'm leaning towards electrical eng so this was v useful)
Thanks for the comment! Really glad they help and hope they get you into the right degree :). I have another video on physics vs engineering coming in a few weeks too so keep an eye out.
can't wait! :D thank u
@@lucyrowden51any updates?
@@trollinape2697hi, yes I do! I completed a MEng Electrical and Electronic engineering degree with a year long placement, and after graduating I found it very easy to get a job. Companies are desperate for electronic engineers and will offer a lot of benefits & flexibility. Knowing people that did physics, I definitely had an easier time getting a job. As for the degree itself, it was very tough but I got through it knowing that being an engineer in the workforce is actually quite a low stress job. And I can attest to that now.
@@lucyrowden51 Icl, Im in year 12 and Im still unsure on what to do. Physics is probably the subject I prefer the most out of the ones I do but Im unsure on how hard it'd be to get a job. Idk if internships and uni clubs would be good enough to land me an engineering job incase I end up not going in academia. Another one would be computer science which have good job. Which I could do both at the same time, but thatd be impossible. No point in doing a joint degree as Id just be a jack of all trades kind of guy
2:26 i kinda laughed at this
imagined a scenario of identical twins , one majoring in physics and the other in EE , swaping classes in exams
My kids lol
This video is just perfect!!
For EM Waves, Comm Theory, Control Systems, and Signal Analysis it is all differential equations and linear algebra. For Electronics 2 we learn how electrical components work on a molecular level similar to Quantum mechanics. I think both the use high level math to solve problems so honestly it’s what you like more. You have to at least know math for both! This is coming from an EE!
I graduated as an electrical engineer. But got my doctorate in theoretical physics. Believe me they are little different but if have a good grasp on either, the other will be child's play for you.
Seriously?
Im a physics students, in the last 2 years in physics education, for the peer groups classes we learn microcontroller, object based programming, control system, sensor and transducers, and lots more. Yes it is a gooD topic to debate, and I agree engineers get payed more than physicist
I am a postdoc doing research on both physics and EE. I think Quantum mechanics is required and is one of the essential knowledge in EE. Statistical/thermal physics is also required in EE.
great contrast, thank you.
currently trying to pick between the two.. thanks for the helpful vid! :)
Pick up ee
Wow this video made me smarter. So mass does change with respect to the object!! I mean I would never have thought mass in a rocket would become less due to the loss of fuel.
Can you also do a video on Engineering Physics vs Physics?
EE does quantum now. For solid state.
John BDD Thats more statistical physics tho. They hardly ever pull up the schrodinger equation or hamiltonian.
False. It is pulled up whenever necessary
(hardly ever)
I remember schrondinger came up in differential equations class.
Only one quantum - introduction to QM
I'm thinking of studying astrophysics simultaneously with mechanical engineering
Bro which colledge u applied for astrophysics after 12?
Don't think about the difficulty only think of what you think you will enjoy doing, because when you love what you're doing it will be easy for you.
Can you do a video on engineering physics?
I used to be soooo fascinated by electronics boards as a boy. I was never good at math. F=ML.
foreverseethe maths isnt hard once you actually put fourth the effort to understand it
@@Raime-tn1to I don't think it's effort. It's confidence. Most people get stuck in math because they truly believe they cannot do it.
Thank you so much.
Can you make videos showing the difference between engineering technology and engineering?
Does electronics engineering apply the same way as described for electrical engineering. Aka radar engineering fibre optics
I really like this channel, really helps me decide what to take in college.
Im a grade 12 student and i passed an entrance exam in a prestigious engineering school here in the philippines. My initial decision was to take a degree in electronics engineering but when i looked at the list of courses/degrees that i am qualified to take, there is an option that i can take a double degree of "bachelor of science in physics - bachelor of science in electronics engineering." A double degree. My question is that would it be hard if both physics and electronics were put into a single course? I am quite scared of taking that double degree because i might fail. And the school is known to drop off failing students.
That's a very interesting double degree as I have never heard of that being offered. The thing about dual degrees is that they usually aren't a HUGE game changer when it comes to applying for jobs. It's the bachelor's and then master's combo that is more desirable for employers. But it's totally up to you to decide whether you can handle it and if it's worth it for you.
Does that mean that I could take a BS degree in EE than take a Masters in Physics?
@@mezzoedbey3802 yes
I may be biased on this because I went the physics route. I ultimately decided on the physics route because you can always do any branch of engineering with a physics degree. I've known several physicists who ended up in just about every genre of engineering you can think of. However it is very rare and I would dare to say non-existent for an engineer to end up doing physics. With a physics degree ultimately you have a broader and deeper understanding and that leads to more options. Engineers are more focused but that doesn't allow as much lateral movement .
I would like doing research and having Quantum mechanics lectures but I would like to create machines or invent gadgets. I do not care much about salaries because both are above average.
Man same goes for me, i like inventing gadgets at the same time would love to study quantum mechanics. Which course did you choose though?
Study engineering physics
@@YoungEli9 hey Bruh I was thinking about engineering physics Nd applied physics which one would u consider?
@@espnmob5163 I'd recommend applied physics first, then engineering physics :)
7:00
It looks like studying electrical engineering in the US is pretty easy hahaha.
I have actually had every subject you separately summarized for electrical engineering AND physics…
thanks you man
You forgot that electrical engineering also has Control system courses.
how does an electrical engineer apply the laws of optical physics in space research programs and robotics?
I don't know if it's just my school, but electrical engineers are also required to take modern physics after the three basic physics classes. It's just to give a general understanding of the fundamentals of quantum mechanics before we take our first electronics class. The first electronics class covered adds additional semiconductor physics. We don't take a class specifically on vector analysis, but important vector analysis topics are taught at the beginning of our first electromagnetic fields class.
Haha everything you just said was exactly what my school was like as well. I didn't include modern physics cause not all EE's take that and just like you said the ONLY time we ever saw those concepts come up again was like one time when learning about how diodes work and it wasn't even that beneficial. And we learned vector analysis concepts in calculus as well as the beginning of electromagnetic waves, but (at least from what I saw) physics majors took a more intensive class on it.
As a Physics student I see it as something that I love which gives me a background on things that solely engineering won't do, being that said I am also majoring on engineering. I have a lot of friends which major in both(electrical and Physics), since they are really complementary to each other. In my case I wanted to learn the mechanical side of things also so I went with electromechanical. I encourage you to do both, you may give focus to one or the other at first, and I recommend this, but the effort at the end will be really worth it.
Going back to school for physics and engineering if I can fit it into my schedule. Wish me luck.
Wish i had watched this whilst still in high-school, I'm in 2nd year physisc now, and i find engineering more fascinating and a better investment job-wise.
I am doing electrical and electronic engineering.
But i am seriously interested in space related research and space travel.
What could be my options in the future?what should i focus on?
Other than what my curriculum has to offer,what sort of things should i try to learn on my own?
If you want to do space stuff then like I said in this video, you should start working at a company that puts things in space. You won't be doing space related research or anything like that, but you'll have a foot in the door when it comes to the sector.
Then when it comes to your career you'll have to try to work your way up to certain positions you enjoy OR go back and get a master's in physics. A lot of companies that work on rockets/satellites will help pay for your master's degree.
Your options will constantly be changing though. For example right now Northrop Grumman is working on the James Webb Telescope. This will be a telescope around 200 times more powerful than the hubble I believe. They are going to launch this into space in a few years so it can look back at light nearly from the big bang. The guy leading this project has a degree in electrical engineering. I bet when he was in college, he was not expecting that to be something he would be working on. But even he said that your career path will probably be different than you expect. However, the people who are doing the space research for this project, the one's who are deciding where in space the telescope should point to obtain the information they want are most likely physicists/astrophysicists/cosmologists/etc. This telescope will be very hard to turn which is why they are trying to determine the best locations in space to look at before actually looking there. That sounds more like what you'd be interested in.
So I can't tell you where your career could go, because it's totally open and technology is constantly changing. This is just one specific example so don't expect just to find a job doing something like it in the near future. But I thought it was a cool project you may find interesting.
Same here! I am very interested in space and future things. Like I want to learn more than just Earth. I want to discover more things beyond space!
I am in 2nd year, electrical and electronics engineering, and at the same time, very interested in astronomy. I love my branch, and would like to proceed in it. At the same time, I'm part of a student chapter called SEDS India and dream about being involved in astronomical research. Can you provide some advice, sir? Thanking you in anticipation.
3rd year in ee and I've done some quantum mechanics, a lot of partial diff equations , a lot of vector analysis including proofs and you haven't mentioned the other half of the course dealing with control systems, signals and systems, in dept with micro processors and micro controllers, power electronics etc and so much more including AI
Please make video on mechanical engineer! I've just begin my high school. Very soon I got to decide what to do!
He already made a video about it. Just look it up on his channel
I’m unaware of your specific major. However, your comparisons between Engineering and Science majors are largely accurate.
Are you aware of engineering physics at IIT Bombay?
At Curtin uni, we are given the option to take a class called classical mechanics and quantum physics in our final year. I’m in my 2nd year of EE and can’t wait
What about a career in particle physics? Does it have job opportunities?
6:5 That's what I wanted to hear!!
I like physics and math more, and I promise I'll work hard on it, and get some physics degree or PhD maybe but will I get a job?
You should if u can prove what u know, highly suggest to learn engineering physics
I am an electrical engineer and I wanted at first to go into physics. Ended up in EE with a focus on emag which is way cool. Really enjoyed the variety of EE subjects and the real world involvement. Best part is after I graduated, I could get a job and earn a living. Can't say that for all physics majors.
It made me cry who a physics student 😭
I agree! I would only study physics for Quantum Mechanics.
how did you get to focus on electromagnetism? Like can i also go to electrical engineering but with focus on optics and emag?
Pardon me prick
I am studying Mechanical Engineering, I guess I am going to do Physics Major next. Because As I see Electrical Engineering is just a Meeting point of those two!
Can i complete electrical engineering after physics bsc ?
Please do for mechanical vs physics
I am 12th class passout and i want to do engeenering i am confused should I take branch like engeenering physics.
Do a video on engineering physics degree please
Smart people are watching this. Thx. For the video.
What are the research opportunities for an electrical engineer?
Can make a video of Optical Engineer?
Could you do a mechatronic/electromechanical video?
He covered that in his Electrical vs Mechanical vid
What about applied physics and engineering physics?
what about control for electrical engineering
I chose physics. Did not even know about EE as a career as an undergrad. Got a masters in physics and went to med school instead. Practiced medicine for 40 years. Now, retired, wish I had perused a career in EE.
What?😭😭😭😭😎😎😎😀😀😂😂😂😂
I have a question. I will be doing double major in electrical and computer engineer. Since these courses would be heavy math, can I then go to school once more to become a Mathematician without having to take all those math clases once again? I mean.. Will I graduate pretty quick? Since I would have taken a lot of math courses. Please answer this..
+Jean Carlos Rosario do you mean you would go back to get a master's in math?
I mean that after I graduate from my double major Electrical and computer Engineering which includes a lot of math would I be able to get a math degree pretty quick? Since Electrical and computer Engineering involves many math courses is what I mean. I don't know how to explain it very well, if you don't get it I understand.
+Jean Carlos Rosario if you wanted ANOTHER bachelors (which I would not recommend) you could get it fairly quickly cause yes you'll have a lot under your belt and you'd probably have 2 or so years worth of classes to go. But if you want to go for a masters then no it'll take the same amount of time as anyone else plus you'll need more classes beforehand that you don't take as an engineer.
I love them both but the problem is i am not good at practical stuff like i can never imagine myself creating an invention but i am very good at solving problems in physics and math that's why i think physics is good for me
Please ! Apload a video about ECE engineering sir
Can an EE student get into a PhD program in Physics?
i like physics pretty mcuh but i don't know which major in engineer is related to it
Before I watched this video I had second thoughts of having picked EE , and imagining what it would be like to study physics
When i saw the "physics has more math than EE , in fact it beats ALL engineering majors"
I stopped having any second thoughts
exactly my thoughts lol
engineering physics can sometimes be another option in between
Yes, otherwise also called applied physics.
You didn’t mention semiconductor engineering which is one of Engineering sub fields
Can I get my B.S. in EE and Ph.D in physics, and then work in both departments in a University? Ik it’s kind of a long question, but I was just wondering😂😂
Sina Rezvani Yes this is possible.
can physics majors work on areas like particle physics/QM with only a bachelor degree
Yes, however, if you want to go deeper into the field and pursue long term careers in research, then you should really consider graduate school.
Thank you
Well i am currently studying ECE but the math I study for this major is not basic algebra, i need clarify for that please
I think it's calculus
I have one month to decide, still no idea. I guess i'm screwed.
Bruh a classical mechanics class ain't gonna be solving problems you do in physics 1 like air resistance and rocket eqn. It's about formulating classical mechanics in a different way to newtonian physics (so hamiltonians and lagrangians). It serves 2 purposes since it makes some complicated mechanics problems easier to solve but it's actually more natural to think of physics in this way when transistioning to quantum theory.
I might do a video on this topic, he did not cover it well, but I don't blame him it's probably because he doesn't know about the full scope of most Electrical Engineering programs.
Can I transfer from EEE to physics in masters?
Do Electrical engineers do calculus physics? so like thermodynamics with calculus
Yes, a lot of electromagnetism specifically but some EE's take thermo as well.
Do engineering physics and mechatronics
Im just doing both of them!
Im interested in circuits, micro-controllers,robotics, programming, n math. I don't know which engineering major to join, can anyone give me some advice please??
abood gendy I'm just like you rn
ashia nagi u could go with computer engineering, electrical engineering, or mechatronics engineering if ur interested in mechanics as well. After some research ive chosen mechatronics.
Aeronautics
If only I watched this video a year ago in my senior year of high school. I'm now stuck as a physics major and would need an extra year college to be an electrical engineer. More investment for a better salary (and doing what I like) I guess. Feel like an idiot for not knowing myself better though.
Bro , can you please give more information about how to complete EE bachelor with physics one
In swedens top university EE students study almost double the math when compared to physics majors.
That is interesting, definitely not the case here
In the KTH not for sure
As an electrical engineer do you actually learn how let's say electronic components work and why and not just how to use them?
Yes you do learn how electronic components like a diode and transistor work. You learn about how the electrons within the silicon are arranged and what happens to them in the event of a voltage potential. It's mostly chemistry BUT I personally only did that for about 3 weeks in one class out of my entire college career. You can do this in much more detail if you want to get a career in designing better electronic components (rather than using them to make circuits). However, I did not take an electives that went into more detail on the topic.
MajorPrep thanks
Then there's me who'll probably pursue both a MSc in Physics and a B.E. in Electrical Engineering :)
My thought is like The Physics of today is the theory of what the Engineering of 50 years from now will be in practice
In my institute mechanical and electrical engineers also learn PDEs
And yes, it's like chemistry. We chemists study quantum mechanics in order to understand the electron cloud structure in molecules. This gives us an idea how they react and why. So the in the hamiltonian of the schrodinger's equation you can not only depict a particle but also molecules.
Greetings :)
@3:04 what's a proof?
How much electronics electrical engineer learn
Theory vs model is explained in tma-science.ie