Who is good at physics?

Physics or engineering?

• I'M currently in grade 11 and I'm considering studying physics or engineering in university. I really love physics and I have a friend who is in engineering physics at McMaster and enjoys it very much. However, I'm very interested in the theoretical aspects of physics. I was wondering, If i do an undergrad in pure physics and possibly a bachelor, will it make engineering easier? One of my possible grand plans is to get into a good pure physics school and learn a lot about theoretical and just straight physics. Once I get to a high enough point (a degree of some sorts) I was considering taking engineering somewhere Would this background in physics help with my engineering because I believe you reach a point in engineering where you don't need any new physics. I will go beyond that and learn Quantum mechanics, Relativity, possibly particle physics and untested theories (like string theory), and much electromagnetism. If, after I learn all of these challenging concepts will it make engineering easier? (I know it's still going to be very much work) Could I also alternate back and forth between physics and engineering? So, let me know what you think about my plan. All advice is appreciated Thank you very much

• Answer:

  Anything beyond classical mechanics and electricity/magnetism/optics is going to have few applications in engineering. Quantum has a few applications in things like semiconductors, but that's about it. Frankly, I don't really see the point of your plan. You want to take a whole bunch of extra classes you don't need just to make the ones you do need seem easier by comparison? If you want to do theoretical physics, then just study physics. If you want to do engineering, then study engineering. University is expensive, you don't really want to waste your time with classes or even full degrees you don't need for your career plans. What you may want to consider is doing an engineering physics program for a bachelor's degree, then choosing an engineering discipline to do a master's in. This will include more physics than a typical engineering bachelor's, but you'll still be able to finish it in a normal amount of time, which you likely won't do if you if you just add a whole bunch of extra classes to an engineering program.