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+--- Thread: What's the difference between Physics and Engineering Physics? (/thread-5325.html)
What's the difference between Physics and Engineering Physics? - Haleth - 01-24-2011
I'm going to be a freshman (undergraduate) next year but I will be an international. So that I'm quite not sure of the differences between Physics major and Engineering Physics. What I am particular interested in is which contain more experiments.
Is there a flexible way? For instance, if I choose LAS Specialized Curriculum in Physics at UIUC at first, can I change to Engineering Physics curriculum at the same university when I decide to change my major?
Re: What's the difference between Physics and Engineering Physics? - Beleg-of-Arthedain - 01-24-2011
It's my impression that Engineering Physics is like applied physics, or physics as relates to engineering problems, rather than just the study of concepts.
Re: What's the difference between Physics and Engineering Physics? - Galdor - 01-24-2011
As someone else said, Engineering Physics has a lot more applied physics involved. It is exactly what the name suggests. Applying physics to engineering principles. Many physics majors will find that "pure" physics only involves more theoretical knowledge and usually either involves research or teaching when you get your degree. So this is when they will switch to engineering physics in order to do more hands-on work and making things with the physics background they get. It is hard to say which will have more "experiments". Physics will have more theoretical experiments that involve small scale work. Engineering physics will have more applicable "experiments" to life in that you will actually build contraptions that goes along with physical principles.
As for UIUC, I am pretty knowledgeable of this school since I both applied there and I have many friends who go there. Here's the thing, UIUC tends to make it pretty hard to switch majors. However, considering physics and engineering physics are part of two different departments, you might have trouble switching. I would try to talk to a counselor from UIUC and tell them what you are considering. This is the best way to know all of the facts before making a decision.
Good luck!