Phd Definition and 1000 Threads

Hello all, I'm interested in any advice anyone can offer me. I graduated with a BSEE a few years ago and then worked in an electronics role for a little over a year. I saved enough money while working to quit my job, travel for awhile, and ponder my future. Even while working, I felt the pull...

I've heard that often in the sciences(in my case, physics), that students often go straight from their undergraduate degree to a Phd. I've a also heard that this saves some time and money as you basically earn a masters as you go while being funded. Now at my school there is an accelerated...

A lot of jobs that I see where you do actual interesting science seem to require having a PhD. Are there reasonable possibilities for doing that with having "only" a Master's in physics? I know that I could increase my employability if I got a PhD, but I'm not looking at getting one at the...

I'm looking for some input on this. Wisconsin has the better programs for MHD theory, CFD, and my undergrad advisor told me IHO it has the best plasma physics program period. However Michigan offers more options in applied plasmas in areas other than fusion energy. Honestly, I don't know if...

I am currently only a freshman in general engineering, but I plan on transferring to NC State University for computer engineering. I know it is early, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask. What opportunities can a PhD present that a MS cannot? Also, I looked at some of the masters programs...

For example, if your advisor specializes in gravity, but has a subfield specialty (like Horava-Lifschitz gravity) and most of their papers for the last several years are about that subspecialty, does that mean your thesis research will be about that, or could it be about any gravitational thing?

Hi, I am looking for a PhD program in Analytics. Can anybody help me in shortlisting universities which have PhD programs in Analytics ? My GRE Score is 329/340. Engg CGPA- 6.79/10 and MBA :- 5.09/8. Does work experience count during application ? What weightage do research papers carry...

Hi all, As of now I have an engineering analysis job. I liked machines always but now I feel that I don't like analysis that much. Little bit of analysis or new analysis is what I may like. I am already having a Masters and was considering Phd degree as my next move. To be frank, I now feel...

Am I suitable to do a PhD?? Hey guys, I''m having a bit of a crisis atm and need some help. I'm sure this is a pretty common thing to happen to most people at my stage, but we will see. It has come to my own realisation that I can get easily depressed when I lack a certain direction in my...

I want to do a PhD in Quantum Computing. Which universities in English-speaking countries have prominent research groups in this field? Most universities I checked have a Quantum Information group, and they usually mention the term "Quantum Computing" somewhere on their website, but it's not...

For some circumstances in my life I was not able to give steady continuation to my studies, so now I want to do a PhD but I have seen that some people finish their PhD by the age of 26-28. I am 25 so my question is: Am I too old to start a PhD? Thank you.

I wanted to ask about universities in Germany (top in Theoretical Physics) and I am here talking about PhD degree knowing that I have M.S degree (an American one). So, I would be grateful if you give me names so I can get in contact with professors there. Great thanks.

Assuming the person is of capable intelligence, what research prospects are there for someone who obtained their PhD at 40 years old? I'd specifically like to hear opinions about PhDs of theoretical physics, experimental physics, pure mathematics, and theoretical computer science.

Hello PF. I recently was accepted to a PhD program in nuclear engineering. I am planning on attending for the duration of my phd. I just wanted to ask from those of you who have successfully completed graduate school...how much time does it take? I did a research program last summer so I...

Hello, I am in my third year of a 4 year integrated MPhys at the University of Liverpool, and I'm starting to think about applying to PhD places. Me and my girlfriend are intending to move to London when we graduate, so I'm planning on getting a job as a graduate software developer or some...

Historically, I can only think of http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Pierre_Maurice_Marie_Duhem.aspx#1, whose first thesis in physics was rejected, but his second thesis in mathematics was accepted. But, Are there other famous physicists who wrote a PhD thesis that was subsequently...

Hi I thought that physics forums could be the place to ask you guys (others who are currently in or have already completed PhD programs) some questions. I've recently started a PhD program in physics in the UK, and my general state of being is complete and utter confusion. In my attempt...

I've heard of people getting PhDs while raising families and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this. I currently work as a software engineer and I have a wife and two kids. I don't want to throw my family into financial turmoil but I'd love to have a more intellectually...

I was wondering about the situation with regards to teaching high school physics and the extent that it is a viable path for those with a MS and/or a PhD in physics. I have heard it said numerous times, on physics forums and in my physics department, that many high schools are starved for...

I graduated with a Master's degree about a year and a half ago and am considering applying to PhD programs in Canada. During this period, I have been working in a field completely unrelated to my previous education and the PhD programs that I intend to apply. I have mainly been teaching to kids...

Hi All, I've been a long time PF member (since 2003) but haven't posted much since graduating high school and had to create a new account. :) I must say, I never read the career guidance section until now. I probably should have 10 years ago. Looking back, I would say I was a...

I am 44 and want to get my PhD in Physics. I am not really concerned about my ability or love of physics, but I am somewhat concerned that there may be a bias against me in the admission process because of my age. There is the fact that much of my formal mathematical and physical...

If someone wanted to go into computational physics, would that be the PhD area of study, or is it just a branch of the better known areas, like hep, condensed matter, etc. Also is it considered theoretical or experimental? (I would assume experimental). Thanks!

Hello everyone, and Happy New Year! :wink: As you have probably already guessed, this New Year is especially important for me since it is the time when I fill the applications for US graduate schools on Physics. I am more than a little bit worried about my chances since, in case I won't enter...

I am somewhat expert at solid state physics but I don't have good marks in my both undergraduate and graduate careers because I have always been involved in details and delved into deep physical concepts rather than preoccupied by exams. I am now PhD student but my university never meets my...

Hi, I'm just applying to PhDs at the moment and some projects have two or even three supervisors! What do you guys think about this? I thought it was normal to have only one! Thanks

Hey guys, I'm a gr. 11 student, and like all others my age, I'm now seriously considering what I want to do for the rest of my life. I keep wanting to do a physics BS, and the a physics Master's or PhD, along with minors in conmpsci, but literally all I hear is negative things about choosing...

I am looking to transfer from community college, and my school options are limited due to finances and my poor academic background. My only options so far are some unknown schools that are not even ranked 100 in the state, and they don't have any money to perform research. So I will probably not...

I am doing my B.S. in physics. I want to do my PhD in theoretical physics from a good university. It may not be a so called top ranked university. I just want a university that will give me the opportunity to innovate new ideas in theoretical physics. I have special interests in...

I'm not planning on doing what I'm about to ask, just curious. If you submit a PhD application to a university, and they reject you, do you still have the chance to do it unfunded? If so, on average, how much would that cost? Again I am just curious, I know it is not wise to pay for a PhD...

I'm an undergraduate studying in Greece, and all universities are closing indeterminately. Rumors is, that they will be privatized and if that happens I won't be able to remain at the university. I want to do a PhD in theoretical or mathematical physics. I have excellent grades in classical...

Hi All, I was wondering when those of you out there in industry felt was a good time to start a job hunt after ones PhD. I myself started about 10 months early and found that the vast majority of jobs would tell me that they were looking for someone to start in January or "as soon as...

I would like to thank this forum for numerous threads discussing various ways to transition out of academia after getting a PhD in physics. However I still think that I am missing a key factor leading to successful transitions. I also have nobody to ask in person. All of my friends who got...

Hi I would be grateful for some advice I graduated two years ago from Cambridge with a Pass (nowhere near high marks) in PartIII and I finished my Bsc with first class honours. I've tried getting a PhD placement at several universities in the UK with no success. I am thinking about trying...

I'm from the Philippines. Right now I'm taking up Master of Science in Physics . I'm currently doing my Thesis, my current GWA is 3.2. (1.0-4.0 scale) My undergrad degree is Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Physics. My GWA back then is 89. (We don't use 1.0-4.0 scale) Do you thing I...

Hi all, wondering if I might have some advice. I would like to study for a PhD in GR. First things first 1. What would people recommend as a complete book on GR? By complete I mean one that serves as an intro then goes above and beyond, ideally no more than £20! 2. Does anyone have any...

I'm a senior in high school and intend on double majoring in EE and mathematics starting in the fall of 2014. After undergraduate, I plan on either doing a master's and then a Phd or just going straight for a Phd after this. My main goal is to go into research in EE. Are there a lot of jobs for...

Hello, For some reason, I need to leave the U.S. and go back to my country for two years once I finish my PhD. I am doing experimental condensed matter. In my country (an unkown place) , there is absolutely no way to do research in this field. I can only work as a lecturer in a university...

Hello! My name is Federico, a physics student from Italy who is thinking to apply to some universities in the USA for PhD program in theoretical particle physics. I have a couple of questions since I don't understend really well how the higher educational system works in the USA. I have...

I would like to start a thread discussing the opportunities for Physics PhDs in the field of corporate Data Science. This emerging filed is briefly explained in the following article: http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/infosphere/data-scientist/ I have heard on a number of occasions that...

Interesting articles online on academia and the "PhD problem" Hi everyone, I've linked here two articles I've found online that specifically address the issue of whether a PhD really prepares its students to careers outside of academia. One is an article from an environmental researcher...

When I started college, I was a biotechnology major. I found this major be a dumbed down version of molecular and cellular biology, so I decided I wanted to switch out of it and major in biochemistry and molecular biology focusing in biochemistry, the problem was that I had already taken two...

I am trying to apply to colleges online to transfer to next year after I finish my AA. However, I am not sure if I am applying for a Bachelor of Arts or Science? I am a physics major looking to get my BA and then head on to grad school for my PhD. Not sure if that determines which I choose or...

Hi everyone, I am currently applying to graduate schools in nuclear engineering. I am applying to some top 10 schools and also some lower ranked ones as safeties. However, my fear is that if I am not accepted to a top ten school I will have to attend the safety schools. I am not particularly...

So I have been reading this forum for a while and I have heard more than a few people say things like the employment rate for physics PhDs is worse than it is in the humanities and way, WAY worse than for med school, so that doing a physics PhD as opposed to a med school degree is a huge...

I graduated 4 years ago from a small university and received a dual BS in EE and physics. I went into a decently ranked EE PhD program but dropped out after a year. I attempted to go back a couple times but just didn't care too much for the courses and dropped my classes both times. I have...

Hi guys, I did have a search through the forum but I didn't find anything quite like my question. Perhaps someone might offer me some advice. I'm a UK physics PhD student, with about 18 months before I graduate (in principle). At this point I am beginning to get a little fed up of academia and...

Hi, currently I have the following sections: Personal info, education, research experience, computer skills, extra-curricular activities. Is there anything I am missing? Also, in the education section should I include breakdown on marks in different subjects, or my class each year (UK...

Dear all, I genuinely cannot fathom a reason why most universities have a strict policy against hiring postdocs with five or more years of postdoctoral research experience. Could somebody please elaborate? I cannot imagine anybody benefiting from this arrangement. 1. Universities and...

Are there any low level (B.S. Physics) jobs out there that pay well? I'm split between Geology and Physics and I just learned that the job prospects for a B.S. in Geology are bad. My goal is to get a job as soon as possible, regardless of my major, and then means I am not interested in spending...