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cytochrome
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Can I go from Chemistry/Math B.S. to Physics M.A./M.S.??
Hey all, first post here... Just thought I'd see if you guys know the answer.
I'm a sophomore at a super small liberal arts college, so small in fact that we don't even have a physics major (I went here cause of financial reasons and got a full ride for track and field and the honors program).
However, I am majoring in math and chemistry. I've had 2 summers of research experience in physical chemistry/biophysics and optics/imaging related projects (at Princeton University and a research institute in the Czech Republic - both of these experiences influenced my passion for physics, as well as auditing a physical chemistry class) and I'm currently starting a physical chemistry project for my senior thesis. I will expect to have a summer or two of more research in physical related fields as well.
I've taken calc based physics at my school, and I have to resort to a nearby university to take modern physics, classical mechanics, optics, and possibly QM. My math background is alright so far - Calc I-III, linear algebra, and vector analysis. I'll have ODE, PDE, complex variables, abstract algebra, probability theory, and more by the time I graduate with my math degree. I also have a 4.0 right now and I plan on graduating with a 4.0 if I stay where I am.
My question is - given that I will not have a degree in physics, will I be able to get into a masters program for physics? I'll at least have SOME physics classes (I will not be able to take E&M at the local university due to the rarity in which it is offered). I also do a lot of self studying -I started with Taylor's Classical Mechanics which I've finished and digested I've had Griffith's introduction to quantum mechanics and electrodynamics for almost a year and I practice regularly.
I would like to get a masters in physics so I can go on to a graduate program in chemical physics or physical chemistry and have a sufficient physics background. I realize I could get a good background just by self study, which I've been doing. However, I think the masters degree would help me get into chemical physics/physical chemistry programs like MIT or Stanford (and I would love furthering my knowledge on the subject anyway).So is it possible to get into a masters program for physics, given my relatively weak physics background? I'm considering transferring to a school where the math and physics are supreme, but I don't want to make any drastic decisions yet.
EDIT: Just to clarify future goals, I want to do physical chemistry/chemical physics research (in case it wasn't obvious). Hopefully I would do this as a professor in academia, as I simply love the subject and I love working with it even more. However, research in industry or any other avenue would also be appealing. I've also considered applying to MD/PhD programs in biophysics but I'm not sure because it doesn't seem as interesting as pure physical chemistry/chemical physics research, and I could not see myself as a practicing physician not doing research.
Hey all, first post here... Just thought I'd see if you guys know the answer.
I'm a sophomore at a super small liberal arts college, so small in fact that we don't even have a physics major (I went here cause of financial reasons and got a full ride for track and field and the honors program).
However, I am majoring in math and chemistry. I've had 2 summers of research experience in physical chemistry/biophysics and optics/imaging related projects (at Princeton University and a research institute in the Czech Republic - both of these experiences influenced my passion for physics, as well as auditing a physical chemistry class) and I'm currently starting a physical chemistry project for my senior thesis. I will expect to have a summer or two of more research in physical related fields as well.
I've taken calc based physics at my school, and I have to resort to a nearby university to take modern physics, classical mechanics, optics, and possibly QM. My math background is alright so far - Calc I-III, linear algebra, and vector analysis. I'll have ODE, PDE, complex variables, abstract algebra, probability theory, and more by the time I graduate with my math degree. I also have a 4.0 right now and I plan on graduating with a 4.0 if I stay where I am.
My question is - given that I will not have a degree in physics, will I be able to get into a masters program for physics? I'll at least have SOME physics classes (I will not be able to take E&M at the local university due to the rarity in which it is offered). I also do a lot of self studying -I started with Taylor's Classical Mechanics which I've finished and digested I've had Griffith's introduction to quantum mechanics and electrodynamics for almost a year and I practice regularly.
I would like to get a masters in physics so I can go on to a graduate program in chemical physics or physical chemistry and have a sufficient physics background. I realize I could get a good background just by self study, which I've been doing. However, I think the masters degree would help me get into chemical physics/physical chemistry programs like MIT or Stanford (and I would love furthering my knowledge on the subject anyway).So is it possible to get into a masters program for physics, given my relatively weak physics background? I'm considering transferring to a school where the math and physics are supreme, but I don't want to make any drastic decisions yet.
EDIT: Just to clarify future goals, I want to do physical chemistry/chemical physics research (in case it wasn't obvious). Hopefully I would do this as a professor in academia, as I simply love the subject and I love working with it even more. However, research in industry or any other avenue would also be appealing. I've also considered applying to MD/PhD programs in biophysics but I'm not sure because it doesn't seem as interesting as pure physical chemistry/chemical physics research, and I could not see myself as a practicing physician not doing research.
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