I think I ended up in the wrong Laboratory? (Theoretical Cosmology)

[harutsuki]

TL;DR Summary: I dont enjoy my lab subject.

I am currently in grad school (not US) and in the theoretical Cosmology laboratory, however I feel like I ended up in the wrong side.

I did undergrad research project in astrophysical data simulation and thought that this is what I want to do in future too, however my dumb self applied for the theoretical side. I don't enjoy studying all day. I spend my whole day studying, even weekends and feel like I am reaching nowhere. I don't like Quantum Field Theory. I like GR and Particle side though but I feel rushed to learn everything at once (I am 3 months in).

I see other friends of mine in the same department, who are already doing research and feel like I will never be able to do that, because I would rather just code (which I do as a hobby) than spend hours studying the same thing and understand nothing. I think its just because I am too dumb for theoretical Physics, even if I was capable of learning it I would do that with the pace of a tortoise.

I am in good terms with my supervisor however I know he definitely thinks I am dumb(which I am for theoretical). I don't know what to do.

 

[Vanadium 50]

If you don't like what you are doing, do something else.

But if you don't like QFT, there is probably no branch of physics where you can earn a PhD without it.

 

[Frabjous]

But if you don't like QFT, there is probably no branch of physics where you can earn a PhD without it.

That is not correct. There are plenty of subfields that do not require QFT.

 

[Vanadium 50]

I disagree. Partly, most if not all graduate programs require it. And partly because most subfields do need it: consensed matter? Yup. Nuclear? Yup. High energy? Yup. AMO? Sure. That's Phys. Rev. A, B, C aand D right there.

Even if one's research doesn't directly use QFT, there is an expectation that a physicist knows it - just like there is an expectation they know QM, E&M, Lagrangian Mechanics, etc.

 

[CrysPhys]

I am currently in grad school (not US) ....

... but I feel rushed to learn everything at once (I am 3 months in).

...
I am in good terms with my supervisor however I know he definitely thinks I am dumb(which I am for theoretical). I don't know what to do.

You are not in the US; you are only 3 months in; you've realized you've made a mistake. What are the options at your university? Are you allowed to transfer to another research group, assuming you find a supervisor who's willing to take you, and whose research is more to your liking?

 

[harutsuki]

If you don't like what you are doing, do something else.

But if you don't like QFT, there is probably no branch of physics where you can earn a PhD without it.

Really? I thought the experimental or observational astrophysicists/cosmologists didn't need it. That is what I was going for in the beginning.

 

[harutsuki]

You are not in the US; you are only 3 months in; you've realized you've made a mistake. What are the options at your university? Are you allowed to transfer to another research group, assuming you find a supervisor who's willing to take you, and whose research is more to your liking?

I think in principle you can change, but I am not sure if I will be allowed to, it would require me to first tell about it to my supervisor, which I am very scared about tbh. Even if he does give me an ok, idk if other supervisor would be willing to take me in. I basically have two options, one is to suck it in and get a masters in this lab itself and then go to job, later I can apply to phd elsewhere, or change labs to go to an observational lab which can go a bit out of track for me.

 

[malawi_glenn]

We have all done projects and courses we did not enjoy. But that is life. If you can finish this project, you will come out better and more prepared for the "real life" than what you would have done otherwise.

 

[CrysPhys]

I think in principle you can change, but I am not sure if I will be allowed to, it would require me to first tell about it to my supervisor, which I am very scared about tbh. Even if he does give me an ok, idk if other supervisor would be willing to take me in. I basically have two options, one is to suck it in and get a masters in this lab itself and then go to job, later I can apply to phd elsewhere, or change labs to go to an observational lab which can go a bit out of track for me.

One key point: If you were to stay in your current program, how long (approximately) would it take to complete your master's? There's a difference between weathering a temporary rough patch with resilience and fortitude ... and sinking in a good chunk of time on a lost cause just to prove you can do it. Unfortunately at the time it's often not clear what scenario you're in.

Another approach would be to talk to your department chairman, and clarify what your options are. I'm in the US; and physics grad school is substantially different here than in many other countries, in that grad students typically enter a PhD program upon completion of a bachelor's program. I've known maybe 6 or so students who changed research groups after a year or two, for whatever reasons. But you need to verify the particular policies at your particular university.

 

[Vanadium 50]

I thought the experimental or observational astrophysicists/cosmologists didn't need it.

Experimental physicists are physicists. Not lab technicians. Where the noble semi-skilled laborers execute the visions of those who think and dream - the oompa-loompas of science.

 

[harutsuki]

One key point: If you were to stay in your current program, how long (approximately) would it take to complete your master's? There's a difference between weathering a temporary rough patch with resilience and fortitude ... and sinking in a good chunk of time on a lost cause just to prove you can do it. Unfortunately at the time it's often not clear what scenario you're in.

Another approach would be to talk to your department chairman, and clarify what your options are. I'm in the US; and physics grad school is substantially different here than in many other countries, in that grad students typically enter a PhD program upon completion of a bachelor's program. I've known maybe 6 or so students who changed research groups after a year or two, for whatever reasons. But you need to verify the particular policies at your particular university.

It would take me 2 years to complete a masters degree. I have heard about changing laboratories when students go from masters to phd, however I dont think my uni supports the changing of labs in the middle. It would probably result in me in the wrong reputation and I dont know if I wanna take the risk.

As you said it could be a rough patch for me, I have honestly been overwhelmed by all the new concepts and my pace is very slow which has been giving me anxiety. I dont know if its that case for me or if I really am not capable of doing cosmology. One thing I know for sure is that these 3 months I have spent a lot of time everyday studying and I still feel like I am making no progress and thats the part that is scaring me out because 3 months is a lot of time.

 

[Andy Resnick]

TL;DR Summary: I dont enjoy my lab subject.

I am currently in grad school (not US) and in the theoretical Cosmology laboratory, however I feel like I ended up in the wrong side.

I did undergrad research project in astrophysical data simulation and thought that this is what I want to do in future too, however my dumb self applied for the theoretical side. I don't enjoy studying all day. I spend my whole day studying, even weekends and feel like I am reaching nowhere. I don't like Quantum Field Theory. I like GR and Particle side though but I feel rushed to learn everything at once (I am 3 months in).

I see other friends of mine in the same department, who are already doing research and feel like I will never be able to do that, because I would rather just code (which I do as a hobby) than spend hours studying the same thing and understand nothing. I think its just because I am too dumb for theoretical Physics, even if I was capable of learning it I would do that with the pace of a tortoise.

I am in good terms with my supervisor however I know he definitely thinks I am dumb(which I am for theoretical). I don't know what to do.

If this is truly how you feel, then have an honest conversation with your advisor ASAP and together, figure out a better match for your interests. I often have students who, once they get some hands-on experience with my research, realize that they actually prefer other approaches: computational, for example. I'd rather they move on and find a better match than suffer and eventually quit.

 

[Andy Resnick]

I disagree. Partly, most if not all graduate programs require it. And partly because most subfields do need it: consensed matter? Yup. Nuclear? Yup. High energy? Yup. AMO? Sure. That's Phys. Rev. A, B, C aand D right there.

Even if one's research doesn't directly use QFT, there is an expectation that a physicist knows it - just like there is an expectation they know QM, E&M, Lagrangian Mechanics, etc.

Just because QFT has found applications in many subfields, it does not follow that all research in those subfields requires expertise in QFT. In addition, while some research activities do require QFT, students can often get involved in those efforts without having prior expertise in QFT: for example, running Quantum Espresso or VASP.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Sure, but if we required a subject to be useful to 100% of the people who take it before we taught it, our classrooms would be mighty empty.

QFT of some sort is required for every doctoral program I am aware of, and for good reason.

 

[Wrichik Basu]

I disagree. Partly, most if not all graduate programs require it. And partly because most subfields do need it: consensed matter? Yup. Nuclear? Yup. High energy? Yup. AMO? Sure. That's Phys. Rev. A, B, C aand D right there.

Accelerator physics? PRAB?

 

[Vanadium 50]

Fine. You;ve chased me out of this thread. Good luck finding a physics PhD program that does not require some understanding of QFT,

 

[hutchphd]

Accelerator physics? PRAB?

Quantum Field Theory is a pretty all-encompassing subject but admits various levels of understanding. All realms of physics do not require the same facility with the subject, but it is part of the standard toolbox..
Please, what is PRAB??.........BTW...... IHA (I Hate Acronyms....)

 

[CrysPhys]

It would take me 2 years to complete a masters degree. I have heard about changing laboratories when students go from masters to phd, however I dont think my uni supports the changing of labs in the middle. It would probably result in me in the wrong reputation and I dont know if I wanna take the risk.

As you said it could be a rough patch for me, I have honestly been overwhelmed by all the new concepts and my pace is very slow which has been giving me anxiety. I dont know if its that case for me or if I really am not capable of doing cosmology. One thing I know for sure is that these 3 months I have spent a lot of time everyday studying and I still feel like I am making no progress and thats the part that is scaring me out because 3 months is a lot of time.

You keep making assumptions about options <not> available to you. Don't assume; talk to someone! If you're too hesitant to talk to your supervisor, find out what other resources are available. At major US universities, besides the department chair, there usually is a dean of grad student affairs, or grad student peer counselors, who can discreetly ask questions on your behalf. Check what's available at your particular university.

Also, you keep dwelling on the risk associated with you taking action. But what about the risk associated with you not taking action? Do you really want to potentially end up wasting two years of your time and of your supervisor's time? And even if you should squeak by and complete your master's, will you be well grounded to launch a PhD program?

 

[Wrichik Basu]

Please, what is PRAB??

Physical Review Accelerators and Beams.

 

[berkeman]

Thread closed temporarily for Moderation...

 

[berkeman]

After some small edits, thread is reopened.

 

[romsofia]

I am very scared about tbh.

It sounds like you're living too far in the future and that is causing some anxiety. You have to talk to your advisor. Once you do that you will ACTUALLY know what options you have available to you.

Only good can come from this conversation, which you might not be able to recognize due to your current anxiety!

But, I will simply echo CrysPhys advice: TALK! Life will be easier after that.

 

[MidgetDwarf]

I believe its maybe a cultural thing in regards to trying to switch supervisors. Ie., the OP is most likely from Japan from the user name, and not studying in the US. My gf was reading was reading over my shoulders when glancing in the thread, and she said its a bit taboo (she is Japanese and studied there)