- #1
HeavyMetal
- 95
- 0
Hello all,
I am a first year graduate student in chemistry studying electronic structure theory. I am fascinated with physics, and a lot of what we work on deals with some heavy QM and mathematical methods. I've asked my advisor and he supports my choice to take some courses in the physics department. I have signed up for a graduate level quantum mechanics course and a senior level [undergraduate] solid state physics course. These should be excellent courses for my work, and contingent upon my success in these courses, I will take the second semester of quantum mechanics and the graduate level analogue of solid state -- a quantum theory course. I am very excited for this semester to start!
Here's the catch: I haven't taken any courses in graduate school yet -- chemistry or physics -- and I'm finding myself a bit nervous...these nerves have the potential to hamper my ability to focus and learn effectively. I won't say that I doubt my abilities because I'm pretty good at adapting, but this could be a very quick change for me. I can adapt, but I'm just not quite sure about how rapidly.
1.) Can I expect the professor to supply at least some of the minimal background information?
2.) Generally, what should I expect?
3.) Would anyone like to offer some wise words of advice? Admonition? Commiseration? COMFORT?
Thanks,
HM
I am a first year graduate student in chemistry studying electronic structure theory. I am fascinated with physics, and a lot of what we work on deals with some heavy QM and mathematical methods. I've asked my advisor and he supports my choice to take some courses in the physics department. I have signed up for a graduate level quantum mechanics course and a senior level [undergraduate] solid state physics course. These should be excellent courses for my work, and contingent upon my success in these courses, I will take the second semester of quantum mechanics and the graduate level analogue of solid state -- a quantum theory course. I am very excited for this semester to start!
Here's the catch: I haven't taken any courses in graduate school yet -- chemistry or physics -- and I'm finding myself a bit nervous...these nerves have the potential to hamper my ability to focus and learn effectively. I won't say that I doubt my abilities because I'm pretty good at adapting, but this could be a very quick change for me. I can adapt, but I'm just not quite sure about how rapidly.
1.) Can I expect the professor to supply at least some of the minimal background information?
2.) Generally, what should I expect?
3.) Would anyone like to offer some wise words of advice? Admonition? Commiseration? COMFORT?
Thanks,
HM