How does one become a professional Physics Engineer?

[crichtonx]

Apparently, it has come to my attention that there is little to no information how one would become a professional licensed Physics Engineer. As I understand, a B.S. in Physics Engineering allows one versatility to understand and design in all areas of science.
Does anyone know where to start or can lead me on the right path to becoming a professional licensed Physics Engineer?

 

[JStephen]

I think you'll find little information because there's not any such thing as a 4-year program that prepares you to do everything. (There may be programs in Engineering Physics, and you might check that, though.)

Regardless of what you major in, to get licensed, you have to have a certain amount of work experience, and that will tend to be fairly focused. So you wouldn't expect to see a guy designing integrated circuits one week, building a bridge the next, and then designing boilers the next week, all because he majored in "Everything Engineering". Industry just doesn't work that way.

The PE boards of the different states vary, but they have a certain number of choices of fields that hey license people in. If you have a degree outside those choices, you may still be able to get licensed, but it will be in one of those fields. So you might get a degree in, say, Textile Engineering, and when you want to get licensed, do so as a mechanical engineer, take the ME tests, and have a PE stamp that says "Mechanical Engineer" on it. THere are limitations to what can be done, and you don't expect to get a structural engineering license when your education is in, say, electrical engineering.

Anyway, do some searching as to what IS available in terms of licensing and degree programs. Check on the NCEES website for the different tests and fields they deal with. Look up your own state's licensing laws, and see how they work things. (Most states have their licensing laws online, just google "State Board of Engineers Alabama" or whatever state you're interested in.)

Note that in some states, you might be able to have a non-engineering degree (maybe physics, for example) and still get licensed. This varies state by state, and might require additional experience. This type of thing used to be more common, but is slowly being phased out.

 

[ctopher]

My son is going to double-major (BS) in Aerospace and Mechanical engineering, then go for his MS and PHD in Physics. He has an offer from a major firm as a Physics Engineer. He was told to have at least his MS in Science or Physics.

Chris
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ctopher's home (updated 04-21-07)

 

[IRstuff]

The point would still be that there is no PE in Physics Engineering, simply because it makes no sense. You'r expected to apply principles of physics to solve engineering problems.

“Professional engineer,” within the meaning and intent of this act, refers to a person engaged in the professional practice of rendering service or creative work requiring education, training and experience in engineering sciences and the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences in such professional or creative work as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning or design of public or private utilities, structures, machines, processes, circuits, buildings, equipment or projects, and supervision of construction for the purpose of securing compliance with specifications and design for any such work.

Sounds like you're looking for a career as a professional student.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[doberdorks]

Various universities offer BSc programs in Engineering Physics.

What do you want to do? Career paths that I have heard of from official and unofficial eng phys people include Electrical Engineering (here Eng Phys is a branch of electrical) Microfluidics, optics etc.

Shannon

PS IRstuff, 1. what's wrong with professional student?
2. WOuldn't designing microfluidic be engineering?

 

[JStephen]

Generally, getting a PhD would tend to pigeonhole you into certain areas, rather than "understanding and designing in all areas of science". (I'd be curious how one gets a job offer based on a MS without first getting a BS!)

 

[IRstuff]

1. nothing, simply making an observation
2. anything microfluidic is most likely engineering, and not pure physics. You don't design microfluidic for the sake of designing cute, miniature plumbing, but, more for some end goal, e.g., drug delivery or DNA analysis/synthesis, or something along those lines.

In general, just because a university is willing to take your money and give you a degree in basketweaving or Ancient Etruscan literature or engineering physics isn't a sufficient reason to take that course of study.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[TheTick]

Newly graduating engineers barely have the wearwithal to design in a single discipline, let alone "in all areas of science". Sounds like someone was taken for a long ride on the tuition train.

If you want a PE, get one in the discipline closest to your interest and competency.

 

[Twoballcane]

Hmmm is BS in Physics Engineering ABET accredited? When I first saw the title, I though it was along the lines of people who design thoes partical accelorators at Brooke Haven National Lab.

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

 

[doberdorks]

http://www.engineering.ualberta.ca/physics.cfm

for example - undergraduate degree

 

[Heckler]

As I understand, a B.S. in Physics Engineering allows one versatility to understand and design in all areas of science.

Not true.

I think you're better of figuring out what you want to do in the areas of engineering and physics then taylor your degree in that area of interest. I would say do a major and minor in your BS level and then get a masters in a specific area.

I work with several MS & PhD Physics researchers who have taught at the college level but they are not product designers that's for sure.

The Engineers' Council for Professional Development, also known as ECPD,[1] (later ABET [2]) defines Engineering as: "The creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes, or works utilizing them singly or in combination; or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions; all as respects an intended function, economics of operation and safety to life and property."[3][4][5] One who practices engineering is called an engineer, and those licensed to do so have formal designations such as Professional Engineer , Chartered Engineer or Incorporated Engineer. The broad discipline of engineering encompasses a range of specialized subdisciplines that focus on the issues associated with developing a specific kind of product, or using a specific type of technology.

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
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[Ashereng]

As I understand, a B.S. in Physics Engineering allows one versatility to understand and design in all areas of science.

Should this be true, why would anyone study any of the other currently available disciplines.

Where did you hear of "Physics Engineering"?

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[civilperson]

This is an academic phrase and not associated with the normal types of PE fields licensed by the various states.

 

[2dye4]

Are there not certain classes of jobs out there in high tech that are primarily concerned with analysis of physical phenomenon for the purpose of design improvements??
As allready stated there is a lot more to engineering than just analysis.
So is it not justified to allow a branch of phy,math,eng whatever where the main objective is to create more skill in modeling and analysis of physical phenomena. Regular engineers frequently don't have the time or patience to get involved in the intricate computer modeling that some designs require.
I think this is the notion behind engineering physics.
In my opinion the field has a profitable outlook for those with the ability and determination.

 

[GregLocock]

But... you would not find many people who can model and understand unstable aerodynamic flows, non linear hydraulically damped rubber bushings, and magnetic circuit design for motors (picking 3 that I am familiar with) purely from an academic course. If that's what you want to do you might as well start from ordinary mechanical engineering, there wouldn't be time, and the university would not have the expertise, to cover every possible field.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[IRstuff]

2dye4,

Sure, but, such analysis is useless without the reduction to practice, i.e., an engineering design. Therefore, the majority of such applications are given to an engineer with the design experience and understanding to apply the results to an actual design.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[doberdorks]

Actually I'm used to seeing Eng Phys as an offshoot of Electrical not Mechanical. We have at least one company locally who has their "engineering" staff divided between those with pure science (typically physics) and Engineering degrees (electrical mostly, but I think some other as well).

Shannon




****original message***

GregLocock (Automotive)
23 Jul 07 20:18
But... you would not find many people who can model and understand unstable aerodynamic flows, non linear hydraulically damped rubber bushings, and magnetic circuit design for motors (picking 3 that I am familiar with) purely from an academic course. If that's what you want to do you might as well start from ordinary mechanical engineering, there wouldn't be time, and the university would not have the expertise, to cover every possible field.

Cheers

Greg Locock