How heavily is math applied into these fields?

electrifice
Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:22:51 +0000

EE can potentially involve a lot of physics. Undergraduate study will only feature electromagnetics, and intro to semiconductor device physics (quantum). But at the graduate level, if you go into semiconductors, lasers, or anything to do with electromagnetics (antennas and transmission lines, etc.) then you will have more exposure to physics.

But none of the engineering disciplines really compare too well with a physics degree. I’m in EE because I felt it had a lot of physics, and I’m somewhat disappointed. Though I still feel that EE and probably ChemE have the greatest potential of running into problems where a good understanding of physics (the E&M part, and some aspects of modern physics) would really help.

I’ve also heard that materials science has a lot to do with physics, which makes sense. People with physics B.S. tend to go to graduate school in materials science for this reason.