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Q: University Major Decision ( No Answer,   8 Comments )
Question  
Subject: University Major Decision
Category: Science > Physics
Asked by: natedude-ga
List Price: $2.00
Posted: 19 Mar 2003 14:06 PST
Expires: 18 Apr 2003 15:06 PDT
Question ID: 178386
I could really use a $5,000,000 answer, but i'm poor, in college, and
my life is in shambles.

I really enjoy studying physics at the university of washington. 
However I find myself torn between the 100% acceptance of physics
majors here and the competitiveness of the Electrical Engineering
department.  I have done research in physics and find graduate school
enticing, however EE I'm less familiar with.  My question comes into
play under my interest in computers and electronics.  I really like
physics, I really enjoy working on computers, and designing
electronics.  I'm currently in physics, but aspiring to be in EE and
have applied and been denied twice.  I'm determined to get into EE but
unsure if this is the right choice, and am sure I will get in
eventually.  Either way requires programming, i'm not into all that
much but enjoy the topics behind it nonetheless, and I'm great with
computers (video games too).

My question:  Is the best major for me Physics as an undergrad or
Electrical Engineering?
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: University Major Decision
From: cynthia-ga on 19 Mar 2003 16:01 PST
 
Hi natedude-ga,

Here's my 2 cents... in my humble opinion, Electrical Engineering will
provide more employment opportunities, at least in the short-run.

Reference: http://www.engcen.com/electrical.htm

--Cynthia
Subject: Re: University Major Decision
From: pinkfreud-ga on 19 Mar 2003 16:38 PST
 
You will probably be able to make more money if you go for the EE.
However, job satisfaction isn't based only on money. A good friend of
mine who has a degree in physics operates his own small
computer-repair business. He could probably make more money if he'd
gone into engineering, but I doubt that he would be as happy a person.
Subject: Re: University Major Decision
From: denco-ga on 19 Mar 2003 21:09 PST
 
You sound like you enjoy being "hands on" so I would suggest
going the EE route as well.
Subject: Re: University Major Decision
From: acorn-ga on 23 Mar 2003 14:31 PST
 
I think the school itself is giving you your answer by turning your
application down twice :-)

Frankly, it sounds as though the fact you have been turned down is a
large part of what is driving you towards EE...and that's not a good
reason to try to major in anything.

Stick with the physics because 1) it sounds as though you would be
happy in it and 2) you certainly don't sound as though you are being
driven by potential earnings.   There is no reason at all that you
can't learn/become adept in EE even though you aren't majoring in it.

Please...don't make a life decision based on ego.
Subject: Re: University Major Decision
From: k_link-ga on 27 Mar 2003 12:41 PST
 
Maybe humor will guide you...

An EE and a Physics Major were standing at the end of a room.
At the other end of the room was a gorgeous, "eager" woman.

The rules of the game were simple.  Each time the whistle was blown,
the two individuals were to advance half of the remaining distance to
the woman.

The game began with the first whistle and the EE happily trotted
half way to the woman. The Physics major didn't move.

At the second whistle, again the EE trotted half the remaining
distance.
This time he noticed the Physics major still hadn't moved an inch.

As the EE moved half of the remaining distance on the 3rd whistle, he
looked back at the Physics major and asked "What's up buddy, why 
aren't you coming?"

The physics major explained, as though to a child, that "Every good 
scientist knows that if you only move half the remaining distance, you
will never arrive - the divisor will approach infinity!"

At the 4th whistle, the EE laughed and said "Yup, your right, but I'll
get close enough for all practical purposes!"

Which one do you want to be?

Seriously, though. I struggled with a similar decision over 20 years
ago.
I chose EE and have never regretted it.  Another "wild card" option
you may want to consider is Geophysics.  They use signal processing
skills from EE, VERY high tech computing systems and combine it with
physics AND geology.  They do detailed analysis of geological
structures using seismic information.  A unique combination of geek
and $$$.

Good luck!
Subject: Re: University Major Decision
From: natedude-ga on 28 Mar 2003 11:14 PST
 
Thanks for all the great advice, keep it coming if you have any more. 
I've got a few more weeks until I apply again, these are such detailed
comments, I really appreciate it.
Subject: Re: University Major Decision
From: ekfriis-ga on 12 Apr 2003 14:55 PDT
 
Wow, I was struggling with this very same decision about 3 weeks ago -
However, I was in EE and switched to physics.  I was originally
attracted to EE for the same reasons you are. Here are my reasons for
switching.

This may be only specific to my school, but I find the people in the
physics major much more passionate about the subject, and more fun
too.  When I was in EE, almost all of the people I asked why they
chose EE told me; "It makes a lot of money."  or "My dad wanted me to
do this"  (no joke.)

In regard to which major is more hands-on, if you choose to become an
experimental physicist (as opposed to a theorist) you defintiely get
to play a major part in designing and building the apparatus.  And in
my opinion, building all kinds of mad scientist stuff is more fun that
spending hours futzing with a breadboard or some stupid SPICE program.

Class size. The EE major at my school is also impacted, and
consequently, the classes were huge.  Right now, as an undergrad, I'm
in a 20 person class with a professor that has discovered to sub
atomic particles.  Also, most physicists that I've seen are pretty
badass

Regarding the money issue, it may be easier to get a job with an EE
BS, but most physicists go on and get their MS or Ph.D anyway.  (this
may be a reason you would want to be an EE)

Another thing that led to my ultimate disinterest in EE was an
internship I got at at company that designs digital cable set top
boxes.  All the EE's just sit in their cubicles all day staring at
their computer screen.  It's boring.  Way boring.  And I decided that
I didn't want to spend the rest of my life working in a box to
increase some corporate profit margin.  There are a lot of things in
physics right now that would greatly benefit all of humanity that you
can work on .  (fusion, fuel cells, MRIs, alternative energy, etc)

Here are some links that swayed my decision regarding salaries and
careers.

http://physics.ucsd.edu/students/salaries.shtml 

(mean salaries for different majors with BS, MS, and Ph.D; physics is
suprisingly high up there)

Also, under the assumption you are a dude, physics girls are WAY
hotter.

It's your call to make.  But I urge you not to make the decision based
on the fact that it's hard to get into EE.

Regards,

Evan
Subject: Re: University Major Decision
From: parrot_2-ga on 09 May 2003 13:38 PDT
 
I was faced with the same decision as well.  I began my freshman year
as an EE, but after learning more about the actual work an EE does on
a day to day basis, decided that Physics was a better choice for me. 
I graduated with a Physics degree and am now teaching High School
Physics - and loving my job every day.

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