I need advice for a master's degree in applied physics

[miiker97]

Hi, it's Mike from Barcelona. I'm a chemist and I completed half of a physics degree, but due to work reasons I had to drop out.
I'm currently working in the mornings and in the afternoons I'm studying on my own the MIT OCW physics program (I'm currently at 8.03 and 8.04 and about to finish 18.03) with the goal of refresh some material and having a decent foundation in physics and maths before enrolling to a master's degree in Engineering Physics (https://engineeringphysics.masters.upc.edu/), which focuses heavily on QM and statistical mechanics, as well as other areas of applied Physics.
Do you think I should focus on the more fundamental subjects of physics and maths, or should I go straight to the quantum mechanics and statistical physics part? Thanks

 

[CrysPhys]

What is your goal after you complete your master's?

 

[miiker97]

Sorry for late reply. My goal after completing the master's would be to work as an engineer or as a consultant specialist. This master's degree has elective subjects closely related to the field of chemistry and materials science of those I've already studied. I don't know if this would be the my best option but it's the only one that really makes me want to study again. But I'm not sure I should spend time reviewing the basic physics or if I should go directly to prepare the quantum and statistical physics part. Thank you

 

[WWGD]

My recommendation is to not stick to methods such as building yourself strictly bottom-up, but rather picking up concepts from different perspectives : seeing applicatiins, top down, your own explorations, however tempting it may be to trying just bottom up.

 

[CrysPhys]

Sorry for late reply. My goal after completing the master's would be to work as an engineer or as a consultant specialist. This master's degree has elective subjects closely related to the field of chemistry and materials science of those I've already studied. I don't know if this would be the my best option but it's the only one that really makes me want to study again. But I'm not sure I should spend time reviewing the basic physics or if I should go directly to prepare the quantum and statistical physics part. Thank you

I got my PhD in Physics, specializing in solid-state physics, but took electives (undergrad and grad) in materials science and engineering. I was also a physics undergrad major at MIT waaay back when.

If you're following the MIT OCW program, you really should go through 8.01 (intro classical mechanics) and 8.02 (intro E&M) before starting 8.03 and then the quantum mechanics and statistical physics sequences. Prior to your master's work, I would also recommend that you take 8.223 (intermediate classical mechanics), 8.07 (intermediate E&M), and 8.231 (intro solid-state physics).