Should I skip labs/experiments for Mathematical Physics program?

[kafka64]

I am attending University of Waterloo and my school will allow me to graduate as a Mathematical Physics major without taking any labs/experiment courses (in my school lab is not integrated to physics courses, they are separate courses with separate credits).

This could be great because :

- This will allow me to take more Applied/Pure Mathematics or CS/Numerical Analysis courses, a nice flexibility.
- I have a minor disability that hampers my ability to participate in physical activity (sometimes I can't even read off numbers from ruler or beakers) so I would be more relaxed throughout the program.

On the other hand, two points bother me :

- Am I missing out on significant opportunity to grow intellectually by only taking theoretical courses?
- Will I be eligible to apply to physics masters program? Does my degree count as science degree if I did not do any experiments?

Any hints or advice would be highly appreciated. I really want to study more physics but I am not sure how to go on about it.

Thanks,

 

[kafka64]

Hello,

In my school, physics labs are separate courses with separate credits.

I am thinking of majoring in mathematical physics in which labs are optional and students are allowed to take only theoretical courses.

I was wondering if graduating with such degree would put me at a disadvantage when I start applying for graduate program. Will I be even eligible for physics graduate program if my course works do not include any experiments?

P.S. My previous post got deleted. Not sure if I broke some rules or not. Please let me know if I did something wrong.

[Mentor Note -- You did nothing wrong. Sometimes it takes a few minutes for a new thread start to become visible. Your two thread starts are now merged into one.]

 

[scottdave]

Hello,

In my school, physics labs are separate courses with separate credits.

I am thinking of majoring in mathematical physics in which labs are optional and students are allowed to take only theoretical courses.

I was wondering if graduating with such degree would put me at a disadvantage when I start applying for graduate program. Will I be even eligible for physics graduate program if my course works do not include any experiments?

P.S. My previous post got deleted. Not sure if I broke some rules or not. Please let me know if I did something wrong.

Typically an admin person will contact you as to why it was deleted. I do not know why yours was.

It is hard to say if this choice of "no lab" degree will be a disadvantage.

From personal experience, the labs helped reinforce my understanding of the material. That's something to consider.

 

[apostolosdt]

Physics is an experimental science. “Non-experimental” physics philosophy has led us to today’s strings ( pun intended) of belief that experimental verification is not necessary. Please, think twice before enrolling in labless courses.

 

[Choppy]

In general, I'd be a little wary of avoiding "any" labs if you're sure you want to go into physics. Not having an advanced lab course could close some doors. The experimental side of physics is pretty broad.

If it's simply a matter of a disability the school likely has resources to help out with that.

I would talk to an undergraduate advisor about the implications for graduate school. Look for data on where graduates of the mathematical physics program end up going. Someone at the school should be tracking that.

 

[gwnorth]

From the research that I have done into the Physics graduate programs offered in a number of countries, regardless of their focus (e.g. experimental, theoretical, mathematical, computational etc.), the expectation is that applicants will have a thorough grounding at the undergraduate level in Physics fundamentals including the attendant math and lab courses. If you want to know what's required, check out the graduate program websites of a few programs that you would potentially be interested in applying to and see what they outline in terms of the level of preparation they expect from successful applicants. You could also book a consultation with an academic advisor at Waterloo and ask what they would recommend given your goals and physical challenges.

I typically recommend that students not specialize too narrowly at the undergraduate level, especially since many really don't know exactly where their interests lie and may switch areas of focus or major as their exposure to the material expands. If you specialize early on and you change your mind as to what specific area you want to pursue you may need to add additional time and expense to your degree to add foundational courses that you had not taken. It's at the graduate level where more in depth specialization should occur and programs are designed to take students who are generalists and turn them into specialists. A 4 year bachelor's degree in Physics should provide all the necessary preparation for admission to any graduate specialist program. That's not to say however that you can't specialize somewhat through your choice of program electives in your upper years, and most programs, including Waterloo's Physics major, provides room to do so.

I took a look at the difference between the regular Physics major and the Mathematical Physics major at Waterloo, and should you choose to proceed with the MathPhys stream, it appears that you could use the program and degree electives to take most of the lab courses that are requisite to the Physics major. That would be 3.5 courses including:

0.25 PHYS 242L - E&M I Lab
0.25 PHYS 260L - Intermediate Physics Lab
0.75 PHYS 256 & 256L - Geometrical & Physical Optics + Lab
0.25 PHYS 360A - Modern Physics Lab I
0.25 PHYS 360B - Modern Physics Lab II

Another alternative could be to follow the regular Physics plan and add a minor in Math.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Not taking labs will very much cut down on your postgraduate options. If nothing ekse, some places have their grad students TA labs. If you haven't taken any, how will you teach them?

How much will this cut down your options? That's hard to say.