Recent content by playoff

I got into research in quantum computing very recently. I just emailed the professor working in it, appointed a meeting, and talked about his current research and possible opportunities for an undergrad. Quantum computing is a very interdisciplinary field, so if there isn't any professors...

I was held back a year in grade school, and entered university as a freshman at age 19, which is still very early. I was quite surprised to see how many "untraditional" students (to which it was almost ironic to label them as such) occupied all of my classes. Very many veteran and...

Assuming you are going to finish your undergraduate studies at a university in 2 years, it might be hard to finish both the requirements for a physics degree and a math degree in that time. I would recommend choosing a major which will allow you to take the classes that interests you more, and...

@fzero: Yes, I had a totally wrong understanding of a definite value. It makes sense that an operator has a definite value if the normalized wavefunction is its eigenfunction, thus the inner product becomes the eigenvalue.

Homework Statement Suppose A^ and B^ are linear quantum operators representing two observables A and B of a physical system. What must be true of the commutator [A^,B^] so that the system can have definite values of A and B simultaneously? Homework Equations I will use the bra-ket notation for...

What's up PF, I hope everyone's enjoying the summer so far. My studying habit last semester was disastrous, so I am trying to build a good habit over the summer. I feel that as I have the solution manual available, I might not learn to solve problems if I get to use it frequently, but I also...

@ModusPwnd: I do agree that a bachelors in physics specifically trains one for a PhD in physics, but it isn't the only path. For example, few of graduating students in my school this year went to software engineering, and a good portion of physics graduates (both BS and PhD) go into finance...

If you can, a good option is taking summer classes to "cushion" your GPA or lessen the workload during the regular academic year. If you can't, I suggest you use the time to thoroughly go over the topics, do problems, and think a lot about it. As others have mentioned, getting good grades in...

I think the greatest problem this semester for me was just taking a LOT of irrelevant courses that don't interest me. I think I will be fine after a short break. All in all I don't see caffeine as a harmful substance if you know your physiology and build a healthy habit in consumption. I...

Both UCB and UCSB are top schools in physics. UCSC is a little behind, but a really good school regardless. I'd say check out their research in astrophysics and the undergraduate curriculum to decide which school is the best for you.

Hello guys, I once again come to ask of a concern that has been worrying me for some time. Last semester as I took much lighter coursework, I had the luxury of having a lot of time to figure problems out, and only consumed a can of energy drink before tests for the assurance. I felt that I was...

Do not drop. You'll have to get used to learning on your own. I came to a stage where I read and study on my own and go to classes only on tests/quizzes in all of my classes that don't require attendance. Halliday-Resnick is a really good introductory textbook, and you'll have plenty of...

Hey guys, I've been looking up on the web and couldn't find prerequisites for graduate level statistical mechanics. What would be the mathematics/physics background needed for the course? Would I need undergraduate statistical physics first? As always, thanks in advance!

I have been rejected from Northwestern's MSRC REU. Has anyone heard back from Harvard's SEAS REU?

Firstly, congratulations to your son, they are all one of the best schools in physics! If your son wishes to go to graduate school, I don't think it is necessary that he goes to a private university with $50000+ price tag each year for undergrad. UCSB not only is cheaper than the other schools...