aerospace engineering or physics
I'm currently in year 12 and love maths and physics so inherently opted for engineering, but I'm starting to figure out that the main reason I enjoy maths and physics isn't because of how it can be applied to situations, but more so the derivations and understanding of fundamental concepts and how they are used to explain everything around me, which I think links more to physics than engineering.
I did some work experience in building services engineering and honestly really hated it. I just sat at a computer all day on excel and really didn't have to use my brain or think for any of it since all of the equations were already inputted into excel. I hadn't really looked into physics much until now and previously decided on aerospace since it was the discipline that interested me most. I explored it, doing a few courses in aero and general engineering and became pretty set on doing a masters in aerospace and a PhD in hypersonic propulsion. I genuinely enjoyed most of the principles I learnt on the courses but the ones i liked most were the more physicsy ones, such as in flluid flow and thermodynamics, and also those that required me to use a concept that they taught and manipulate it to a super specific example, like using some assumptions to derive an equation for the ROC of a jet.
On the other hand I've also of gathered that a degree in engineering would be much more employable due to the skills that you gain in experience, but then again everyone says that a physics degree teaches you problem solving and basically proves that you are super smart to employers.
Ultimately, im planning on postgraduate study either way, and, at the moment, would still like to specialise in hypersonic propulsion by the end. Would taking a physics degree just limit my experience and make it harder to get accepted onto this PhD course? Or could it in fact be beneficial to have a broader, more physics heavy background? Any advice on which degree i would be better suited to and where i could go from there?
Thanks
I did some work experience in building services engineering and honestly really hated it. I just sat at a computer all day on excel and really didn't have to use my brain or think for any of it since all of the equations were already inputted into excel. I hadn't really looked into physics much until now and previously decided on aerospace since it was the discipline that interested me most. I explored it, doing a few courses in aero and general engineering and became pretty set on doing a masters in aerospace and a PhD in hypersonic propulsion. I genuinely enjoyed most of the principles I learnt on the courses but the ones i liked most were the more physicsy ones, such as in flluid flow and thermodynamics, and also those that required me to use a concept that they taught and manipulate it to a super specific example, like using some assumptions to derive an equation for the ROC of a jet.
On the other hand I've also of gathered that a degree in engineering would be much more employable due to the skills that you gain in experience, but then again everyone says that a physics degree teaches you problem solving and basically proves that you are super smart to employers.
Ultimately, im planning on postgraduate study either way, and, at the moment, would still like to specialise in hypersonic propulsion by the end. Would taking a physics degree just limit my experience and make it harder to get accepted onto this PhD course? Or could it in fact be beneficial to have a broader, more physics heavy background? Any advice on which degree i would be better suited to and where i could go from there?
Thanks
Reply 1
Original post
by redbelshamI'm currently in year 12 and love maths and physics so inherently opted for engineering, but I'm starting to figure out that the main reason I enjoy maths and physics isn't because of how it can be applied to situations, but more so the derivations and understanding of fundamental concepts and how they are used to explain everything around me, which I think links more to physics than engineering.
I did some work experience in building services engineering and honestly really hated it. I just sat at a computer all day on excel and really didn't have to use my brain or think for any of it since all of the equations were already inputted into excel. I hadn't really looked into physics much until now and previously decided on aerospace since it was the discipline that interested me most. I explored it, doing a few courses in aero and general engineering and became pretty set on doing a masters in aerospace and a PhD in hypersonic propulsion. I genuinely enjoyed most of the principles I learnt on the courses but the ones i liked most were the more physicsy ones, such as in flluid flow and thermodynamics, and also those that required me to use a concept that they taught and manipulate it to a super specific example, like using some assumptions to derive an equation for the ROC of a jet.
On the other hand I've also of gathered that a degree in engineering would be much more employable due to the skills that you gain in experience, but then again everyone says that a physics degree teaches you problem solving and basically proves that you are super smart to employers.
Ultimately, im planning on postgraduate study either way, and, at the moment, would still like to specialise in hypersonic propulsion by the end. Would taking a physics degree just limit my experience and make it harder to get accepted onto this PhD course? Or could it in fact be beneficial to have a broader, more physics heavy background? Any advice on which degree i would be better suited to and where i could go from there?
Thanks
I did some work experience in building services engineering and honestly really hated it. I just sat at a computer all day on excel and really didn't have to use my brain or think for any of it since all of the equations were already inputted into excel. I hadn't really looked into physics much until now and previously decided on aerospace since it was the discipline that interested me most. I explored it, doing a few courses in aero and general engineering and became pretty set on doing a masters in aerospace and a PhD in hypersonic propulsion. I genuinely enjoyed most of the principles I learnt on the courses but the ones i liked most were the more physicsy ones, such as in flluid flow and thermodynamics, and also those that required me to use a concept that they taught and manipulate it to a super specific example, like using some assumptions to derive an equation for the ROC of a jet.
On the other hand I've also of gathered that a degree in engineering would be much more employable due to the skills that you gain in experience, but then again everyone says that a physics degree teaches you problem solving and basically proves that you are super smart to employers.
Ultimately, im planning on postgraduate study either way, and, at the moment, would still like to specialise in hypersonic propulsion by the end. Would taking a physics degree just limit my experience and make it harder to get accepted onto this PhD course? Or could it in fact be beneficial to have a broader, more physics heavy background? Any advice on which degree i would be better suited to and where i could go from there?
Thanks
If you’re interested in the applied physics you can do this in engineering or physics. It’s really more about what applications and technology levels you are interested in. Wether you get to think of the hard science in your analysis is really about what you pursue… and if you’re interested in working from first principles mathematically then going through a PhD is probably a sensible route, however it’s also far too early to say if this is the right option for you (this is something to consider seriously after second or third year of university).
On hypersonic vehicles the science here is really more aligned to a mechanical or aerospace engineering versus physics, the thermo fluids/aerodynamics of the “vehicle” are more aligned to engineering fluid mechanics and the propulsion systems would be covered under thermodynamic heat engines (id imagine you’re thinking of scram jets). Although it’s worth noting careers looking at these type of applications are through the big defense contractors (such as BAE systems).
Id also note both hard physics and engineering are largely office jobs especially the more senior you get, and nowadays the mathematics is done computationally- these systems are far too complex or sophisticated to manage any other way.
(edited 9 months ago)
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