Phd Definition and 1000 Threads

Hi, I'm an undergraduate student from India pursuing my final year of Electronics and Communication Engg. I'm interested in applying to top 15-20 universities in US. I'm looking for research-oriented education but I don't think I stand a chance to join the PhD programs since I have no research...

It seems to me, and correct me if I am wrong, that someone with a masters in physics has just as much concrete knowledge of physics as someone who has a PhD (generally). After you get a masters you have pretty much taken all the courses one could take right? The next step is to APPLY the...

I feel like this question has probably been asked but i couldn't find it anywhere. Is getting a PhD in physics from just a local university that's not highly ranked worth it? In general, how better off would someone be if they graduated from an ivy league? Do the majority of the tenured...

Hello! If I finish my PhD in physics in Scandinavia, how are the job possibilities in the US if I move there? I mean how does the PhD finished in Scandinavia correspond to that PhD in the US. Are they equivalent? Thanks in advance.

Hello, I'm nearing the end of my first year as an undergrad in physics at a Russell group university. I'm currently registered on the Bsci course, straight physics. I'm interested in theoretical particle physics, and if (as I hope to do) a phd I think that's what I would like to do it in. My...

I'm scrambling to complete my dissertation before the end of the semester but I'm not sure if I'll make it in time (deadline is May 6th). I feel like if I had an additional month or so I could definitely complete all the requirements (defense, revisions, etc), but then my degree would not be...

Hey all, It's getting time for me to start applying to schools for my PhD, looking to pursue a PhD in quantum physics. If given the opportunity should I stay in the US or travel? Relevant info-I'm finishing up my masters at the moment, thesis option. IR

I've read various post on this matter here actually. However I'll do some rant on my story: I'm currently a masters student (quantum physics, with maybe 60-70% programming content). I always had an interest in how computer works but I did not got into the CS degree. Now, I am planning for my...

Hello, I didn't see a place to post introductions, so I suppose I'll jump right in. I'm currently going back to school after a six year stint in the finance industry (protip: not a fun or fulfilling field). The way that Colorado's Department of Higher Education has the university system...

Hi It is not seldom to hear about a physicist who did his/her PhD in theoretical high-energy physics/astro-physics/solid state, who then move on to a rather quantitative position in the industry, e.g. in a bank. I hear the same about people that did an experimental PhD, where statistics and...

Does anybody know a university/country where PhD in Physics/Electrical Engineering can be obtained in less than 5 years?

I am a senior undergrad who will be enrolling in a PhD program next semester. I haven't decided yet on the exact program, but the offers that I have received guarantee an average stipend of about $22,000 per year. I believe health insurance is also included in most packages (although I will...

Hi Is it possible for a student with a MSc in physics to do a PhD in an engineering field, e.g. electrical or mechanical? There are a parameter I am mainly concerned with here: With a degree in Physics it is reasonable to assume that the student should be able to learn the necessary...

I've put myself in a sticky situation. One of my friends referred me for a quant internship in NYC and just for fun I went along with it. He already works there full time but he's also already finished his PhD. They flew me out last week for an interview and I recently got the offer... The main...

Through circumstance, I believe I could finish my BS with over the 24 credits required for the "core" coursework of a PhD. This is supposed to take two additional years. While I know its important to explore your field and that means typically going to another uni for graduate school, is this a...

Hi, I got my undergraduate in Electrical Engineering. Then went right to work at a government sponsored research lab. I got into a part-time masters program from a good school and got two non-thesis masters: one in Electrical Engineering, the other in Computer Science. The reason for two...

I'll give a summary of the issue, then put it into questions. I've wanted to 'do physics' for as long as I can remember, but have recently become somewhat (Though not totally) disillusioned. Aside from physics/maths, I really love making effective plans and guiding them to fruition, as vague...

Does the institution where an individual receives their PhD degree in mathematics have a significant impact on their career? The question evolves from a merger among universities: If a university is under a merger with another well established university with a much much better reputation in...

I want to get a PhD no matter the cost, so I have been trying lately to figure out which exact field I should "major" in in graduate school. I will be graduating with a mathematics B.S., but my main interest is in nuclear engineering (I am taking pre-req NE classes and will be doing a summer...

So I'm looking to go back to school and major in either math or physics. actually, I am pretty set on majoring in math. cause i love math. but I do want to go on to a graduate program, and the math graduate programs hold little interest for me. All of my research interests are physics related...

PhD for multi-interests-? Hi, Dear participants,could you tell me,please,which PhD program is the best fit for someone who has a wide spectrum of interests(physics,maths,electronics,chemistry,etc) and really wants to use all of them in his research work?What kind of field could it be? I...

Is a PhD the highest academic degree on can possibly earn? Or is there something above that level?

I didn't really know where to place this thread, so move it if it's in the wrong place. I'm a nuclear physicist graduating with my masters this academic year. I have a meeting scheduled with one of my professors of a medical physics course I have just finished. We will be discussing what...

Source: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Dresden, Germany The Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids in Dresden, Germany, offers excellent research possibilities for students to obtain a PhD degree in a three-year graduate program in collaboration with the...

The most diversified PhD program-? Hello everybody, I'm an Instrument Engineer working in Oil&Gas sector(field work in automation with transmitters,sensors,valves,PLCs,etc.) who wants to follow the PhD program in one of the US universities.The thing is I have a varied set of interests which...

I was wondering if people could give me an idea of what I should expect.

Ok so I have been thinking about doing a PhD in possibly condensed matter physics for a while now (my masters is soon going to be finished), but my parents, who also happen to be my primary benefactors, are adamantly opposed to that idea as they want me to get a "real job" in the corporate world...

Hi everyone, I completed my PhD in experimental low energy physics over a year ago and I still cannot find a postdoc position in my field. I have three papers published about my work, and passed my viva with minor corrections, and have good references, but again I just cannot find a postdoc...

Do some of you got a Phd without a Master? I have a professor that only have a phd and 3 posdoc. How this works and how hard it is? And, if you know, what kind of institute or which contry have this kind of program?

I'm currently in a Math PhD program (in the US), and I have the option of mastering out soon. I initially thought I might do pure math and go into academia, but have since changed my mind. So now I'm trying to figure out whether I should get the MS or continue on for the PhD. My intentions...

Would a doctorate in mechanical engineering help at all? Would one be able to easily find a job as opposed to a doctorate in physics? In addition, which one would generally have the more favorable salary? thanks.

I was wondering if most Science and Engineering PhD programs look at the entire undergrad gpa or the Junior/Senior gpa? I am a returning student and my old gpa (from 12 years ago) is 2.04 after 63 credits. I figured out that depending on which path I take to finish my undergrad I will need to...

Consider a cantilever beam of rectangular cross section made up of two materials steel and aluminium. an axial force is applied at one end. the question asked was which material should make up the upper part and which should make up the lower part of the beam? Could someone please help me in...

Hi All, Maybe my first post is a bit sad/depressive, but I need some advice. I have finished recently my MSc. degree in Space Technology & Space Sciences. I have a BSc. in Physics as well and I'm considering to do a PhD. with a challenging topic. However, I'm unlucky. Since last...

I'm 16 and have applied to sixth form to do all 3 sciences and maths. How difficult is it to get a PhD in physics and then become a particle physacist?

I realize that there are many more than adequate schools where I can go to obtain a PhD, but my current goal is to get into one of the top 30. I truly have no idea of the competition, hence the question. I am going to the university of connecticut and came in with 38 AP credits and will graduate...

the exams I'm looking at will be in analysis and applied math, the first covers: real analysis, advanced calculus, and complex variables; the second: a second course in differential equations, partial differential equations, and numerical methods. i may be able to take preparatory classes in the...

Okay, maybe that's a little vague. But I'm serious. All my friends applied to MIT, Caltech, Harvard, etc. In fact, it seems like everyone does. I didn't. I'm in the National Guard, so I'm stuck to one state. One of my friends suggested that I shouldn't go to graduate school at all unless I get...

Hello, I have great interest in physics, however I don't have the gpa (3.0) to get into grad school. Has anyone gotten a job first, at a national lab for example, and then applied for a PhD program? Thank you

So, as the title says, I'm considering doing a second undergraduate degree having recently completed my PhD. I've searched for advice on this online and I can't see anyone else who has asked this before, which hasn't made my decision any easier. My educational background is an undergraduate...

Hello everyone, I am a 4th year student in a UK undergraduate masters program (MPhys (Hons.)) in a russell group university. My grades are around 70% average as of last year (3rd year), and I am working really hard to improve my grades during the fourth year (i expect to graduate with an...

Just finished with my B.S.M.E. and now my M.S.M.E. and have been considering a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. I've been offered research opportunities in both the mechanical and electrical engineering departments, so really it's up to me to decide. Can anyone put an industry spin on what I...

Hello PF, I have been bashing my mind about for awhile trying to figure out how to decide on my future PhD study plan. And then it suddenly struck me to pose my questions here. So here's the situation: I'm currently a final year physics undergrad from a Singapore university, and I have the...

I am still in high school so I know this is a bit early to start worrying. My dream job would be one in academia, but as I understand, that isn't going to be easy. What other jobs are there for someone with a PHD in physics?

Academia jobs after you get your PhD are few and far between. I was wondering what jobs are there for Physics PhDs in the industry or with the government. What exactly do these guys do?Thanks.

I'm in accounting now and plan to graduate in spring of '14. My Plan A has been to pursue accounting, retire early, and do with the rest of my life what I like - probably something related to science. I want or wanted to learn independently the sciences and risk having no way to contribute...

Ok so ever since I've been little I wanted to be a doctor but getting farther into my undergraduate work I really enjoy working in astrophysics...but the catch is i like money. Cal my greedy or whatever but I like medicine both as mind stimulation and obviously outstanding pay. My question is...

Hi, There have been very few discussions on this topic in the internet. Is it better to get a PhD degree from the UK or from other European countries such as Belgium , Spain ,Germany, Netherlands,Sweden etc ? I have shortlisted for my PhD, University of Strathclyde and Heriot Watt in UK...

Hi, I have a master of science degree in photonics. I wanted to pursue a career in photonics related fields. My major interests are in nonlinear optics,laser physics,fiber optics and material science. I have received an offer for PhD in electrical engineering(micro-systems and photonics...

Is a PhD I This Economy Worth It? As I am currently looking to reapply to grad schools, I noticed when I call/email professors regarding research projects most of them say they have low or no funding and cannot support new grad students. Now, assuming they are not lying to me, the number of...