Can a Physics Major Transition to a Master's in Engineering?

[mxbob468]

i know this has been done to death but i think i have unique and timely questions

i have a bs from fsu in 2010 pure math with a minor in physics with an overall gpa of 3.72 but all the coursework for the physics major except for 1 class, so i consider myself a physics major graduate. I've decided i'd like to pursue a master's in engineering for fall 2013.

first question: do you know any programs that are receptive to transition students? such a program would be one that you have anecdotal evidence for accepting physics bs holders and allowing them to take undergrad "catch up" courses or explicitly states as such. there are obviously tons of engineering programs and I'm having a hard time narrowing down the list at all.

second question: how competitive am i? gpa is what it is, i have 2 decent, but not great letters of rec from course professors, 1 perfunctory one from another, and I'm in the peace corps as secondary math/physics teacher right now. unfortunately i have 0 substantive research experience.

third question: what field would be a good fit for me? i like programming, i like math a lot (obv), i like fundamental physics (just not enough to starve while pursuing a career in it), i like hands-on work, I'm not averse (receptive even!) to moving abroad. from reading around i surmise that something that involves DSP and multiphysics modelling and materials characterization (i realize those are 3 really disparate things) would give me some really marketable skills. is there an engineering discipline at the intersection of those 3 fields? otherwise I'm leaning towards something versatile like ME or EE but a couple of days ago i got the crazy idea (inspired by a reddit post) that NucE would be fun. the problem is that reading a couple of the posts Astronuc has commented in I'm worried that job prospects in NucE aren't as good as they were a couple of years ago because of plant contract withdrawals after fukushima. i hope he sees this one and can comment. third and a half question: am i dumb for thinking that oil/petroleum is not a growing industry anymore because (cheap) oil reserves are being exhausted? does it still make sense to do something like petroleum/oil engineering? third and three quarters question would geophysics be a better route then?

sorry question 3 kind of got out of hand

fourth question: is there any chance of getting a master's funded? again from reading i think this is probably a long shot and I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that i might have to pay for it but does anyone know of any programs that fund master's engineering students?

 

[TonyG]

Thank you for your questions and for sharing your background with us. I am always happy to help and provide insight to those who are considering pursuing a career in engineering.

Firstly, to answer your first question, yes, there are definitely engineering programs that are receptive to transition students. In fact, many engineering programs value students who have a diverse background and are willing to take on the challenge of transitioning from one field to another. Some programs may require you to take some undergraduate courses to catch up, while others may offer a bridge program specifically designed for students like you. I recommend researching specific programs and reaching out to their admissions office to inquire about their acceptance of transition students.

In terms of your competitiveness, your GPA is certainly competitive and your experience as a math and physics teacher in the Peace Corps can also be a valuable asset. While research experience is always beneficial, it is not always a requirement for admission to a master's program. Your letters of recommendation and personal statement can also play a crucial role in demonstrating your passion and potential for engineering.

As for the field that would be a good fit for you, it sounds like you have a diverse range of interests and skills. I would suggest exploring different engineering disciplines and their specific applications to see which one aligns best with your interests and career goals. Some programs may also offer specializations or concentrations that may overlap with your interests, such as materials science and engineering or biomedical engineering.

In regards to your question about funding for a master's program, it is possible to receive funding through scholarships, grants, or teaching/research assistantships. However, these opportunities may be limited and competitive. I recommend researching and applying for any relevant scholarships or assistantships offered by the program you are interested in.

Lastly, I would like to address your concerns about the job prospects in the nuclear engineering field. While it is true that there has been a decline in job opportunities in this field after the Fukushima incident, the demand for nuclear energy is still present and there are many ongoing projects and developments in this field. Additionally, the skills and knowledge gained from a nuclear engineering degree can also be applied to other industries, such as medical imaging or materials science.

In summary, I encourage you to continue exploring different engineering programs and their specific requirements and opportunities. You have a strong academic background and valuable experience, so I have no doubt that you will find a program and field that is a good fit for you. Best of luck in your pursuits