Physics or Chemistry?

thecatspjs

Basically in the next month or so I have to decide whether to pursue a degree in Physics, Chemistry or Biology. I'd be more inclined towards physics but I'd value any opinions or experience people might have in the field of chemistry regarding workloads, job prospects, opportunities to travel etc. Biology isn't really runner for me but I still haven't ruled it out completely.
There seems to be plenty of recent info from physics undergrads/grads but not so much on the chemistry/biology side of things

cianl1

First thing I'd say is that if you don't want to do biology then leave it out. No point flogging a dead horse.

Chemistry is fantastic, but I'm biased. What institution do you attend, if you don't mind my asking?

Both physics and chemistry are easily employable, chemistry in particular given the amount of pharmaceutical companies based in Ireland. Then there's also the tried and true academic option (Ph.D., post-doc, lecturer, etc.).

thecatspjs

i'm in dit kevin street, i can either go into industrial &enviromental physics or medicinal chemistry & pharmaceutical sciences.

i studied physics for my leaving cert and i've found it to be quite easy so far, i had never studied chemistry and although i find it difficult, it's very interesting

sarahb82

Chemistry just keeps getting more exciting, but like cianl1 I am also biased with not so much qualifications (just a lowly phd ). I only decided to study chemistry for my degree last minute choosing between it or microbiology and I ended up completely my degree and continuing on with a phd. Chemistry is one of those subjects that overlaps with all the sciences and is a great starting point if you wanna go into the medicinal or biochemistry area

thecatspjs

so what line of work are you both in now? If ya don't mind me asking??!

sarahb82

I'm actually unemployed at the moment, but thoroughly by choice. I just finished up my phd and graduated in december so taking a well deserved break after 8 years in college and heading off to oz for a bit of me time and reflection about what i wanna do. I absolutely love chemistry and hope to return to research some day but at the moment i need a break from college etc.

cianl1

3rd year undergrad in NUIG, studying chemistry and probably a PhD afterward.

sarahb82 is actually right in saying that chemistry overlaps with all sciences. It's been called the bridge between what are known as "hard" sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry itself) and the "soft" sciences (biochemistry, sociology, enviromental science, etc.)

Would definitely recommend chemistry if you like it but if you're having trouble with it do get help. Grinds or something.

krd

thecatspjs wrote: »

i'm in dit kevin street, i can either go into industrial &enviromental physics or medicinal chemistry & pharmaceutical sciences.

i studied physics for my leaving cert and i've found it to be quite easy so far, i had never studied chemistry and although i find it difficult, it's very interesting

I'd go for med chem and pharma - You're chances of employment are much higher.

Physics is harder to get work in - and if you look at the job ads - you will very rarely ever see a job ad for a physicist. To be honest unless you're really highly qualified there isn't really much work in physics.

Even if you're really highly qualified there isn't much work in physics. I've seen people have much better lives out of chemistry than physics.

Michaelrsh

krd wrote: »

I'd go for med chem and pharma - You're chances of employment are much higher.

This may be true when it comes to getting a job in a science related field however a physics degree is far more transferable into other sectors in comparison to a chemistry degree (i.e., finance, engineering, banking, programming). The main reason this is possible is because physics graduates have higher mathematical and programming ability than chemistry graduates. By the way did you know that accompanied with further study ~ 1/3 of physics grads go into finance (trading, financial analysis, investment banking (sometimes)). However if you want a good career within science alone go for chemistry, biology, biochemisty, genetics, etc...

krd wrote: »

Physics is harder to get work in - and if you look at the job ads - you will very rarely ever see a job ad for a physicist. To be honest unless you're really highly qualified there isn't really much work in physics.

This is not completely true. Of course you're going to see more jobs out there for chemistry graduates because of the demand in the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland but it is not true to say that jobs are very rare in physics, just enter 'physics' into Irishjob.ie.

OP, it's up to you in the end, what you're really interested in, what comes naturally to you. Both Physics and Chemistry are good degrees.

Michaelrsh

thecatspjs wrote: »

i studied physics for my leaving cert and i've found it to be quite easy so far, i had never studied chemistry and although i find it difficult, it's very interesting

Physics for the leaving cert barely touches on the surface of what you might expect if you wanted to pursue it to degree level. When you get into college you'll soon realise that it gets very hard a year into a degree programme. It is harder than chemistry at degree level (I'm expected harsh reponses from the chemistry guys but its true). There is a lot of advanced maths involved and the principles can be hard to understand.

thecatspjs

hey, thanks for all the replies, they were all helpful. I actually went with physics in the end. I just had a gut feeling that it was the one for me....even if i have to sign on the scratcher after i graduate!!!

NeoSlicerZ

I must say, I did Electronic Engineering but have now gone into a far more physics orientated masters and I enjoy it a lot more.

Michaelrsh

thecatspjs wrote: »

hey, thanks for all the replies, they were all helpful. I actually went with physics in the end. I just had a gut feeling that it was the one for me....even if i have to sign on the scratcher after i graduate!!!

Well hopfully you won't because the recession might be over in 4 years. A physics degree is great if you want to get on a graduate program, and you're not limited just to physics.

entropic

thecatspjs wrote: »

hey, thanks for all the replies, they were all helpful. I actually went with physics in the end. I just had a gut feeling that it was the one for me....even if i have to sign on the scratcher after i graduate!!!

As others have pointed out physics degrees can be very hard with a much higher level of maths required than you would think but it is also very rewarding.
However if you feel during your first year that you made a mistake don't worry as many college will let you change course to a similar subject without having to repeat a year. After first year during my undergrad we got two Mechanical Engineering students move to physics and one person left to go into second year biochemistry since many of the first year subjects you do will be general sciences before specializing later on.

thecatspjs

I'm quite good at maths so that was one of the main reasons behind my choice also. And like some of you said, it is a versatile degree that isn't limited to one specific area. All in all though, I've no regrets. Next step is a nobel prize.....