Should I Choose Nanotechnology or Physics?

[Jonnyb42]

I absolutely love physics, and I absolutely love engineering. The engineering field I would choose if I do engineering will be molecular engineering/nanotechnology, because I think its awesome, and it is going to be a very powerful technology in the near future. (If I chose physics, I would like to be a theoretical physicist!)

So I was just hoping to find some useful advice as to which I should choose.

I am afraid that if I choose engineering, I will be forced to ignore some physics, (which really makes me cringe. I want to learn ALL physics and ALL corresponding mathematics because I love it all!) But on the other hand I am afraid if I choose Physics, I will not get to create awesome things and/or life may be boring at times.

Thanks for any advice ahead of time!

Jonny

 

[FirstYearGrad]

Nanotechnology is not a subfield of engineering. Many different roads -- including physics -- will lead you there.

 

[Laserblade]

i don't know about US... but in here in Europe we have

Physics with Nanoscale Physics MSci
UCAS code: F392

 

[physiker_192]

Hi,Well, I would suggest that you do what you love most.
As has been mentioned earlier, the word nano is rather big & interdiscplinary. But it still mostly revolves around Physics.

For example, Computational topics in nanotech = computational + theoretical physics.
Experimental Nanotech = experimental physics + some chemistry/materials science

So again, do what you love most, & don't think too much about future employment etc...

You can have a look at:

http://www.nanohub.org"

If features some cool lectures (but remember, this is a selection, not all fields).

And if you choose Physics, it is not neccessarily that you will be become theoretical physicst, you can do both theoretical & experimental physics (this is very very close to Engineering).

Regarding Engineering schools, yes, they do tend to ignore the details (depending on the topic, e.g. in Semiconductor & physics of Nanoelectronics which is a typical topic for Electrical Engineering these days, you can't really skip the physical details).

Note: before selecting what to do, have a look at the lectures offered for the course and their content.

 

[rezeew]

I understand your passion for both physics and engineering, and I commend you for wanting to learn all aspects of these fields. Both nanotechnology and physics are incredibly exciting and rapidly advancing fields, and it ultimately comes down to your personal interests and career goals.

If you are drawn to the hands-on aspect of creating and developing new technologies, then nanotechnology may be the right choice for you. It combines principles from various disciplines, including physics, chemistry, and engineering, to design and manipulate materials at the nanoscale. This field has huge potential for innovation and has already made significant contributions to areas such as medicine, energy, and electronics.

On the other hand, if you have a love for theoretical concepts and want to delve deeper into understanding the fundamental laws of the universe, then physics may be the better fit. As a theoretical physicist, you would use mathematical models and calculations to explain and predict the behavior of matter and energy. This field has led to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in areas such as quantum mechanics, relativity, and cosmology.

Ultimately, it is important to choose a field that aligns with your interests and goals. Keep in mind that both nanotechnology and physics are interdisciplinary fields, and you may have the opportunity to incorporate aspects of both into your studies and research. It is also worth considering that your interests may change as you learn more and gain experience in either field.

I would recommend exploring both fields further, perhaps through internships or research opportunities, to get a better understanding of the day-to-day work and potential career paths. Whichever path you choose, I have no doubt that you will make valuable contributions to the scientific community. Best of luck in your decision!