- #1
oyvind
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- 0
Hello, dear forum
I am a Norwegian Civil and Environmental Engineering student, soon to finish my very first semester. I have a tough decision to make regarding my choice of studies, and I would greatly appreciate some input from you. Here's some information:
My preferred future profession (the reason why I am in Civil Engineering) is to work with water and wastewater systems in developing countries, preferably in an NGO. This is why I started doing science in the first place, having no previous knowledge of basic physics at all. So I took a one-semester preparatory course for engineering studies, and am now at university.
My unsuspected "problem" is that in the process I found myself really enjoying theoretical science, especially physics. The upcoming Civil Engineering courses look OK, but I think the courses listed in the physics BA look intensely exiting, like something I could gladly do in my spare time. I find it hard to let go of my dream profession, but the thought of going through life without understanding relativity and quantum mechanics are makes me want to cry..:)
So, I am considering making the switch to Physics, out of pure interest in the subject. However, I have already been changing career paths once, and I really don't want to end up like one of those "eternal students" that never finish (or amount to) anything. I don't care about the money, but at some point you have to get out into the world and do good in one way or another, right
These things make me unsure:
- I am pretty much set on where I want to end up, and I realize that advanced physics will have very little to do with that job. I am unsure whether it will be possible to i.e. take a masters program in CE after a BA in physics (my uni doesn't seem to be sure either). I am, however, open to physics studies revealing other attractive career opportunities.
- Since I don't really have any experience with more advanced physics, I am a bit afraid that it might be a bit less glorious than I imagine. Most of what I know I have from popular science literature. Now, I am not afraid of equations, but my interest, in the end, is understanding "how everything really works" (Let this serve as an illustration to my naive approach to the subject..). I don't expect the studies to be all philosophical and romantic, I expect a lot of math and a lot of work, but I am hoping it could give me an insight to some "fundamental truth" every once in a while. :)
I am definitely no genius, and I developed my interest in physics at the late age of 20, but I tend to do pretty good in these classes, at least at the level I am now.
Another factor is that I, by mysterious twists of fate, am studying in foreign country, in a language I do not understand very much of yet, so I am kind of relying on self study. I find this less of a problem in math and physics etc., as the language is universal, it's worse in typical CE subjects.
I apologize for this far too long post, and my perhaps extremely unclear request (and for the use of smileys, due to my lack of ability to express myself precisely enough in English..). I would greatly appreciate any advice, tips or comments on any of this from you. I have no idea what to do, and my time is running out..
Thanks a lot!
O.L., Science Newbie
I am a Norwegian Civil and Environmental Engineering student, soon to finish my very first semester. I have a tough decision to make regarding my choice of studies, and I would greatly appreciate some input from you. Here's some information:
My preferred future profession (the reason why I am in Civil Engineering) is to work with water and wastewater systems in developing countries, preferably in an NGO. This is why I started doing science in the first place, having no previous knowledge of basic physics at all. So I took a one-semester preparatory course for engineering studies, and am now at university.
My unsuspected "problem" is that in the process I found myself really enjoying theoretical science, especially physics. The upcoming Civil Engineering courses look OK, but I think the courses listed in the physics BA look intensely exiting, like something I could gladly do in my spare time. I find it hard to let go of my dream profession, but the thought of going through life without understanding relativity and quantum mechanics are makes me want to cry..:)
So, I am considering making the switch to Physics, out of pure interest in the subject. However, I have already been changing career paths once, and I really don't want to end up like one of those "eternal students" that never finish (or amount to) anything. I don't care about the money, but at some point you have to get out into the world and do good in one way or another, right
![What the... ?:) ?:)](/styles/physicsforums/xenforo/smilies/wtf.png)
- I am pretty much set on where I want to end up, and I realize that advanced physics will have very little to do with that job. I am unsure whether it will be possible to i.e. take a masters program in CE after a BA in physics (my uni doesn't seem to be sure either). I am, however, open to physics studies revealing other attractive career opportunities.
- Since I don't really have any experience with more advanced physics, I am a bit afraid that it might be a bit less glorious than I imagine. Most of what I know I have from popular science literature. Now, I am not afraid of equations, but my interest, in the end, is understanding "how everything really works" (Let this serve as an illustration to my naive approach to the subject..). I don't expect the studies to be all philosophical and romantic, I expect a lot of math and a lot of work, but I am hoping it could give me an insight to some "fundamental truth" every once in a while. :)
I am definitely no genius, and I developed my interest in physics at the late age of 20, but I tend to do pretty good in these classes, at least at the level I am now.
Another factor is that I, by mysterious twists of fate, am studying in foreign country, in a language I do not understand very much of yet, so I am kind of relying on self study. I find this less of a problem in math and physics etc., as the language is universal, it's worse in typical CE subjects.
I apologize for this far too long post, and my perhaps extremely unclear request (and for the use of smileys, due to my lack of ability to express myself precisely enough in English..). I would greatly appreciate any advice, tips or comments on any of this from you. I have no idea what to do, and my time is running out..
Thanks a lot!
O.L., Science Newbie