BSEE to PhD in physics?

flacowade12
Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:36:23 +0000

I am about to start my third year in electrical engineering and I am starting to consider graduate schools. I want to make sure I prepare myself for the right school for me so I am starting as early as possible by taking a diverse background of classes. I have completed much of the EE core so far and will continue with it but I am really interested in physics so I will be taking a lot of physics classes soon. My schedule for the upcoming fall includes a class in each of the following areas:

control systems
electronics
computer architecture
photonics
semiconductor materials/devices


For the spring I plan on taking:

theoretical methods in physics
independent research
embedded systems
signal processing


I then want to finish my bsee requirments in addition to some statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics classes. I have been more interested in my physics classes than my signals/electronics classes. I want to work in industry in an R&D position and preferably NOT in academia. My main concern is choosing what to get my PhD in to work in the field I want to work in. I am leaning towards doing my graduate work in physics.

My question is: Will my course work prepare me well for a graduate program in physics?

My research interests are in high temperature superconductor applications or semiconductor device fabrication. I looked at some schools and their EE departments were good for some semiconductor device research but I thought a program in condensed matter physics might be better for fundamental research in these areas.

Would I be well prepared for R&D in industry if I don’t do a PhD in engineering? If so will I be able to be successful in a Physics PhD program if I do my BS in EE?