Physics phd Definition and 176 Threads

Hello! I'm a undergraduate student in the last year of my Physics B.Sc. I've done a lot of Mathematics in a program at Ecole Polytechnique in France (Master 1 in Physics, european system). I would like to do my PhD in Mathematical Physics, I've studied some Statistical Mechanics and Exactly...

I did not major in Physics...PhD? Ok, so I recently took the intro to Physics sequence and fell in love. But I am graduating with a Philosophy major, and a math minor. I know I need to take the required physics courses after I graduate, but will this look bad to admissions people? Not...

Hi all, I am a physics graduate from Sri Lanka. I applied for several universities for Physics PhD program(Fall 2009). I want your help to select the best university for me. My research interests are Condensed Matter Physics and Nanophysics. My credentials are as follows. UGPA - 3.91, GRE...

Afternoon peoples, I'm a student in the UK and I have the intention of apply for a PhD in the area of medical physics and am just looking for a bit of advice. I won't be applying until the end of the year since it's too late now to apply for a position starting this year, but I'm wondering...

My question is the title of the thread. Am I locked into a certain area of research once I have done a PhD? My interest is in theoretical particle physics, but if I wanted, could I, for example, do a PhD in lattice QCD then go on to be a postdoc doing string theory (or some other area of...

Hey everyone, I was looking into international PhD programmes in Germany and was just curious if anyone had any experience in these. Instruction is entirely in English, although German language courses are required (something I wouldn't mind). The particular schools I am interested in are in...

Can somebody give me an idea what you get upto on a day to day basis? I know roughly what you work towards in a PhD, obviously it depends on your topic, but I have no idea what it consists of day in and day out. For example, what maths do you do daily? What theory do you do daily? How much...

Do you think having an MSEE will be useful in getting into a very good Physics PhD program?

Hi everyone! I graduated with a major in theoretical physics (mathematical aspects of quantum mechanics) and I wonder if there's some sort of "theoretical human brain physics" research field, and where in the world would be possible to pursue a phd degree in that field. Also, any...

Hello all, I've been lurking on the forums for awhile, and have finally decided to seek your help with a question I've been battling with. These days, it seems to be good at anything you must be very specialized - a student can no longer just study physics, but must choose astrophysics...

Engineering science B.S. --> physics phD? Hello PF, I will graduate next spring with a B.S. in engineering science, and will be applying this fall for graduate school. I have found physics much more fulfilling than engineering and would like to enter a physics phD problem. Unfortunately...

Is it possible (common) to proceed to graduate studies in Astrophysics starting from a Masters degree in Engineering or Earth Sciences? Also is it too old to start studying for a physics phD at 30 after having worked some years outside academia?

Hi, I'm interested in doing my PhD in physics in the UK... I've heard it can be shorter (4 years?) than in the US, is this true? Also, how difficult is it to get into Oxford or Cambridge for a PhD coming from the US? I'm in undergrad at Cornell U at the moment.

I have seriously started considering going for a career in finance (as a "quant") after finishing my PhD in physics (theoretical astro/particle physics). Anyone who knows what the prospects for getting good jobs in finance (Europe or US) as a physics PhD looks like today? After the "rocket...

so, i have a few interviews for PhDs in particle physics over the next month and I'm looking for some information on what generally happens at a PhD interview. If anyone would like to share their experiences, interviewers or interviewees, i would greatly appreciate it. I'm not too worried...

Hi everyone. I discovered an excellent resource for graduate school applications. * List of US Graduate School Physics Programs. http://www.yuster.com/school/get_universities_for_major/6 * Admission Results & Decisions from many different Physics Programs...

Hi everyone, I'm finishing up my undergrad with a double major in chemistry and physics. My interests are right at the cusp of the two, in chemical/statistical physics. I've been doing research for over a year in molecular dynamics with a well-known prof in the chemistry department...

hey everyone, If I plan to pursue a physics phd in quantum theory/string theory do you recommend I get a B.S. in theoretical mathematics as well (with linear pde, Fourier anal, and topology, etc.)? I'm still not sure whether applied or theoretical math is the better choice.

How much money do you have to spend doing a Phd (physics)?

Conjecture: Math PhD is generally(with appropriate definition of generally) shorter in duration than physics PhD. (PhD programmes in US is under consideration and universities in question are say top 10) Anyone with proof? I have an impression that math PhD is normally ~4 years whereas physics...

I have started my Master's programme in physics and I'm getting information about a physics phd. One question seems to keep coming up, will you go for 2 phd's? I'm interested in theoretical particle physics, but is it worth getting another phd in another field in physics? Can you do 2 phd...

Hi, I have a really big problem, guys. So any help in the form of advice will be really appreciated. Ryt now I'm gettin my undergraduate degree in a medical school. But i really want to work for NASA ( not as a doctor ). So I wanted to know 1.) If it is possible for me to do MS in a...

I found a great website on how to apply for a physics PhD: http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~natalia/studyinus/guide.htm She has sample statements of purpose, timelines and whatnot. John G.

Except for teaching (that's the obvious). Please don't be vague and say ("research"), some specific examples would be nice (so in a sense not ALL the physics jobs, but specific things you could do - ie, work at NASA, be a stock market analyst, etc.). I just want to have an idea of what I can do...

I would like to get a higher degree in physics, but am currently a finance / math major. My performance in my physics classes is less than stellar (poor study habits soph. year), which is clearly a liability. I am wondering if I would be ahead to get a m.s. in math, and then move on to a phd in...

Physics PhD "Worthless"? Could it be true that a physics PhD, from a respected university, and held by someone who has published mightily in the past, has been offered tenure (and turned it down) at a very large university, and who was in on one of the big, big discoveries of the past 20 years...