How can I decide between pure science and engineering if I enjoy both understanding principles and applying them?
If you enjoy both, do not treat science and engineering as an absolute either-or choice. Compare the activities you most want to pursue. Investigating principles and phenomena, and using knowledge to design or improve something for a purpose and within constraints, are contrasting orientations you can use when comparing programs. Review courses, laboratories, research topics, and experimental, design, or production activities, then choose the setting that interests you more.
Key points
- If you are especially drawn to asking why phenomena occur and investigating them deeply, consider science-oriented programs.
- If you are especially drawn to designing devices, systems, or products for a purpose and within given conditions, consider engineering-oriented programs.
- The fields overlap, so compare actual courses, research topics, and activities rather than relying only on the program name.
Things to check
- The content and balance of experimentation, design, and production can vary by university and program, so check the latest official curriculum and research information.