Phd Definition and 1000 Threads

Hi PF! Title says it all: what is the dress code for PhD visiting weekend? Thanks so much! Josh

Hello, I am an undergraduate at UNLV. Before, I was at a community college for a few years before I went to UNLV. I used to be art major for a few semester but I didn't like it very much so I changed it to general education as I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. Last year, I thought of becoming...

I am thinking of doing a theoretical physics PhD but i am worried about my knowledge on the subject. I am predicted at a first class degree. But i must honestly say i am not one of these prodigy types. I have to read over things a lot of the time and more often than not i will forget simple...

All, My brother is a final year student at one of the top engineering colleges in India (IIT). He is pursuing mechanical engineering with a minor in physics. He is interested in doing a PhD in theoretical physics. This year his admission was declined by most major universities, so we are...

Hello, I've seen lots of friendly people giving good advice here and wanted share my current graduate school situation with you guys and see what your opinions/advice are. I recently graduated with a Physics B.S. and loved it. I have a strong interest in atomic physics and radiation interaction...

Is it possible to do a Masters in Condensed Matter theory and then a PhD in high energy physics?

Initially he was happy and did refer me to a couple of profs. But towards the end, he reasoned that I lacked the understanding of the subject and so not competent enough for a PhD. I agree to his concerns, since I was studying this concept for the first time (for my thesis) and took extra time...

I just want to say hi. I love physics. Astrophysics in particular! I'm a returning undergrad to an undisclosed university. I plan to get my PhD in physics as well. I'm on here to get guidance in that. I would also like to discuss math and physics problems as well. Looks like I came to the right...

I am starting to do my PhD in a few months and I am curious as to what a PhD student actually looks like. It's not like I have never observed how a PhD student live their life as during my master I have been engaged in some research activities where I was required to work with some PhDs as a...

Is it career suicide for a Phd student to have an older supervisor (50s) who isn't even an associate professor? Note I'm looking at doing a Phd in maths.

Though there are several posts regarding Compuational Physics, I think my post is a little bit different from them. Currently I am doing my MS in Physics in Miami University and I am in my first year. I am searching a PhD program/group who work experimental and theoretical (computational) work...

Hello. I've got two questions: 1) In the U.S., what's the average time per week that a graduate student doing a PhD in astronomy work? 2) In the U.S., what's the average time per week that a postdoctoral researcher in astronomy work? Thanks in advance for your answers.

My question is directed at anyone who currently is enrolled or was enrolled in Penn States PHD program as well as any faculty. Any other advise though would of course be appreciated. I was wondering what am I expected to be proficient in or to know prior to me starting in the fall semester...

Hi, i graduated last year from interdisciplinary program in science with focus on biology and i have been struggling to find a job and what to do next. A friend of mine suggested doing a phd in bioengineering and told me graduates from this program were finding jobs easy either in industry or...

Hi, On your CV, should you mention your B.S. and/or M.S. if you have a PhD? Thanks in advance for your answers.

Hello I am currently looking for PhD's in physics just now but more specifically a project which uses my favourite topic of quantum theory. Up until now i have only thought about picking projects based on this preference but i would like to know what you learn on the PhD. So for example if...

How better is a PhD in aerospace engineering than a master. Is it worthly? Of course, I think than with a PhD in aerospace engineering you earn some more, but I know that if I wan't money I shouldn't go into STEM. So, does a PhD in aerospace engineering opens more job opportunities...

I really love physics, but getting a job in this field is not bright at all. Getting a phd will result in post docs and not having a permanent job until I'm 30. Should I just go for a masters and land a job in the industry ? And what job in the industry would be interesting enough for me not to...

Graduated in April with my physics PhD, and been looking since February, but still can't find a job. I've been using Monster, LinkedIn, APS, Career Builder, etc., but I never seem to be able to find the right job title for my skill set, so most of the search results are worthless. For example...

Hello everyone, How much math should I know like the back of my hand before I go to grad school, so that I am not barred from a field because I don't know enough math. I am not sure what field of physics I want to go into. I will probably be in theory though. (I am doing research in theory...

PF, I am a junior physics major hoping to work in nuclear engineering. The problem is that I would like to stay in school to get a PhD. I have a love of learning. However, I would like to get a Master's degree to start working and making a living earlier. I would not like to work in academia...

As we all know, Russia has many world renowned professors in theoretical physics. The research atmosphere is very different in Russia from the US. I am not familiar with the graduate schools in Russia or the US. Which is a better choice?

I am 34 years old and have a bachelors in math from about 10 years ago. I've also taken 3 graduate physics courses throughout the years. I work full time as a systems analyst, and have been doing this type of work since I graduated from college in 2005. I also have an MBA. I’m wondering, with...

Hello All, I am confused about something, and I am hoping that someone can clear this up! The more that I talk to people in "STEM" fields, the more it seems that their education sequence is to go from bachelors to PhD and they just skip the masters entirely. Is this common? Or am I just...

I've been reading recently that there is a new branch of physics offered in graduate school with an emphasis on physics education, and is something I am considering doing. I'm also working on getting my teaching license to teach high school. But the thing is that I really want to get a Ph.D...

I have a B.S. in physics, I am currently in a non-thesis Master of Engineering in Mechanical/Biomedical engineering and set to graduate in the spring. I have been working in a lab to pick up some extra cash and skills over the past 7 months. Mainly what I have been doing is applying data science...

I know of infinites disadvantages of started a physics phd at my age. I tried, but do not take me by my age...Chile, sudamerica. I have a Msc physics an one publication about brane world. At Chile , in my opinion exist very discourse about non discrimination, but there is much discrimination...

I have a BSc in Physics, just received it about half a year ago. I decided to take a year off to figure out what I want to do and take the Physics GRE and I'm still a little torn. I love physics more than I thought possible. I like how it challenges me and makes me feel accomplished. However...

Hello, If I have an MSc degree in mathematics specializing in machine learning, is it possible to enter a PhD program in computer science (also specializing in machine learning)? Will the fact that my degree is in mathematics and not computer science prevent me from doing that? I have heard of...

If I graduate with a 3.3 gpa with a markedly better GPA in my last 2 years(3.5<) and suppose a great GRE score(optimistic/naive) what am I looking at when it comes to grad school admissions?(do I even stand a chance?) I'm a ambitious Junior Physics/Econ dual degree/major who let freshman year...

I was wondering if anyone knows a good PhD thesis writing support group, either online or in London? I couldn't find any and I wanted to set up a meet up group... but I'm not sure what we would actually do to support each other... and when I finish in a few months, what then? Also I'm afraid...

First off, I am a first-semester physics PhD student at Minnesota. I had latent anxiety issues for years but never did it get to the point where I could give up on that aspiration because of my mental health. The issues became too severe for me to ignore when the midterm grades were returned to...

Dear all, I am reaching the end of my 4 year integrated masters degree in Physics at Imperial College London. I expect to graduate with a low to medium first class and have taken theoretical modules throughout. I am interested in theoretical physics and quantum optics and want to do a PhD but...

Hi all, I'm currently applying for PhD/CDT positions, and I have one reference who is a great Professor who like has his own significant theorem and let's me know when they've come and tells me to pester him to send them. The other is an Professor in America (I'm in the UK) whose obscenely...

Hello, So before I start, I realize that this question has been asked in the past, but all of the threads were over several years old so I'm not sure if the information is still current. I've been thinking about this decision for a while: I'm currently in my second year at a respected...

Hi all, First time poster here, and currently looking for some good advice. I’m about to finish my master studies in June and therefore I’m looking for advice. I’m searching for a university that has a renowned department/study group in a specific field of study. I hope to join that study...

Hi all, I have an urgent question.. I am currently applying to materials science PhD, and double majoring in physics and applied math. I haven't had much time to study for my (intro) discrete math course and will likely get a C... I already have a C from sophomore year statistical physics...

Hello, My interests lie within the field of modelling biomolecular structure, function, and dynamics with computational and theoretical approaches. Is anyone aware of either top MSc or PhD programs offered by specific schools that are in line with this research direction? Thanks so much.

Hello all, I am in my sophomore year in college trying to prep for grad school, with my interest being in biophysics. My question is, since biophysics is so broad a subject, will it help my chances of getting a tenure track position in academia (ie, can apply for a position in biology, in...

http://matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/

Hello, I am currently a Junior at an average state university with a not particularly well known math department. I'm pretty set on pursuing a Phd in math (my interests lie primarily in numerical analysis and PDE's), and would like advice on which programs would be realistic to apply to...

There is a place where i could to study a phd physics, where do not exist the need of stay physical at the place?I have 32 years old, i live in Bolivia, i have a master of physics (i studied out of Bolivia) , and one publication on physical review D. By reasons family, i do not want get out...

I was looking a Leonard Susskinds background, and I noticed he obtained his Phd in 3 years from Cornell. Is this unheard of in theoretical physics these day. Was he just that special?

I'm a first year PhD student (hopefully I can retain some anonymity on this forum.) in Mathematics at a respected university. Like many grad students, I'm worried that my choice to do this was or wasn't the right one. I have been reading about PhD life on forums for years, and I told myself I...

I have a BSc. Honours Physics degree and I have summer research experience in Biophysics and Computational Chemistry. I want to enter a grad school program where I may use the basic physics that I've acquired throughout my undergrad degree, but where the focus is around biological function. The...

I knew different countries had different approaches to graduate education: there are those countries that provide research masters with only one year of coursework and the other year is dedicated to research (Canada, Germany, Japan, Russia, UK) and also where direct-PhD entry for undergrads...

Hi guys, I am a senior EE undergrad at UCLA and will be graduating this spring, 2016. I am applying for PhD programs in EE with a focus on biomedical devices (implantable devices and/or sensor networks and embedded systems). I am choosing which schools to apply to and would like your advice...

Hello all, I am a third year physics and math major, and I would like to pursue a PhD in physics. I have experience working in 3 different research projects, but I do not have any publications. I do have a poster presentation and a research thesis completed. My GPA is a bit low ~3.4. I have...

Greetings, I am a master's student in engineering at Koç University(İstanbul/Turkey) and my bachelor's degree is in Physics from Middle East Technical University(Ankara/Turkey). After I finish my master's I would like to pursue a career in industrial R&D abroad; however, it seems that my...

Hi all, during my degree (which of now I am in the master's year) I have to do a year long research project. This project I had to select from a list of which only one of them was quantum mechanics related (for a theorist), of course this made it popular and I didn't get my first choice and...