BSEE to PhD in physics?

TomServo
Fri, 12 Jul 2013 12:35:53 +0000

Well, companies often do research that is a blur between physics and engineering. The semiconductor industry hires physicists in addition to engineers but I imagine they are mainly interested in solid state physicists. “Antenna theory” is a big area of electrical engineering and I’m sure that industry research in that area involves physicists.

Industrial post-docs can be a prelude to an industrial research job. Remember, when the economy is bad research budgets are slashed. If you are just starting your undergrad, you have another eight years or so until you actually need to look for a post-doc position. The economy could be better. Just don’t engage in self-limiting behavior, i.e. only working in one city, or one state, or one country (yes, Americans are going to have to get used to working abroad as our own country goes down the toilet), or one sector of one industry, or whatever.

You’re actually lucky, you’ll have more industry opportunities than me, I plan to go into relativity. :D