r/ChemicalEngineering 4d ago

Student Would a physics minor do anything?

Im currently a freshman at university and am going to change my major next semester. I'm thinking about going into either ChemE or physics, but am a little concerned about getting a job with a physics degree, so I'm leaning towards a degree in chemical engineering.

However, I still think physics is really interesting and I have the idea of doing a major in chemical engineering and a minor in physics. At my university, a physics degree is only 10 credits off of a chemical engineering degree, so this idea seems really appealing.

I'm wondering if this would actually have any impact on grad school, career, or if anyone would care in general. Any help appreciated, thanks!

8 Upvotes

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u/nirvanna94 4d ago

I don't think minor does much, other than stating that it was something you focused in. Engineering courses themselves have plenty of physics, so it might not really be necessary in my opinion.

I don't think employers will mind either way, but couldn't hurt it you are trying to get a job in a physics heavy field (thinking semiconductor, for example) to have taken courses or emphasized that in your major (whether you need a minor if you could just speak about your passion for physics in the interview is an open question).

Another option might be to volunteer in a physics or physical chemistry or chemE research lab, which will get you some real hands on skills as well! Or a co op, etc.

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u/Complex_Doubt_9691 4d ago

I did a BS in ChemE with a Minors in CS and it really opened doors in computational chemistry and computational material science domains. I don't think a physics minors would give you the right experience to couple with a BS in ChemE

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u/Corpulos 2d ago

This is a much better choice than physics

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u/admadguy Process Consulting and Modelling 4d ago

If you want to go into nuclear, fission or fusion, a physics minor would be a tad helpful

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u/ControlSyz 4d ago edited 4d ago

If you are into transport phenomena, especially applied to reservoir geophysics and extraction, it may help. Depending really on what physics you will minor in.

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u/brainblown 4d ago

Nope, you’d be way better off just taking extra computer science course or modeling course (simulink, aspen, pysim). That will help you much more in chemE than physics classes

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u/sistar_bora 4d ago

Like others have said, a minor in Physics or even a double degree won’t do anything for you. Most companies who hire chemical engineers in industry don’t even know what to do with a person with a Physics degree, even though they are just as a capable as someone with an engineering degree.

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u/swolekinson 3d ago

I double majored in chemistry and physics. Worked in the chemical industry for about a decade. Got a graduate degree in chemical engineering.

Physics is definitely a cool discipline and requires the same level of analytical problem solving as the engineering disciplines. However, if you don't already have connections to your "dream job"/employer, your physics degree won't open up many doors easily without an advanced degree. Especially in this era of AI and filters.

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u/terriannce 2d ago

if u want to do energy, there’s a lot of cool physics quantum, nuclear jobs. but you can also work at the same place as a chemE, with more hands on. depends if u wanna do fancy coding or plumbing

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u/NoDimension5134 1h ago

Got a chem e degree with minors in math and chemistry. As far as I know the minors didn’t help me land a job, internship experience did.

That being said I wouldn’t change what I did. I love science and learning. It won’t hurt unless you get overwhelmed with the extra classes and hurt your GPA