Quality of Georgia Tech's physics program? (undergrad)

In summary, the physics major at GT is not as difficult as many people make it out to be and there are many opportunities for research.
  • #1
Fizex
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I live in Georgia and it would be cheaper for me to go there. I can't find much information from searches, so I wonder if there is anyone here in the GT physics program. I know a lot about the engineering side and heard that engineering majors aim for a C in their courses and that it is difficult to get even an A with very hard work. That is not a good prospect if I want to get into graduate school. I also heard that undergraduate physics majors there don't get research opportunities and that professors are too busy in their own affairs to care about the undergrads; I want to know if this is true.

Also, if you have any advice on what classes I should take for sophmore-senior year and electives it would be nice.
 
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  • #2
Fizex said:
I know a lot about the engineering side and heard that engineering majors aim for a C in their courses and that it is difficult to get even an A with very hard work.

Frankly I think all courses should be curved to a C. It's a good way to separate the average students from the good students. You should not expect to have a curve higher than a C ; anything else is a bonus.

Also, if you have any advice on what classes I should take for sophmore-senior year and electives it would be nice.

GT's outline of the physics major should have recommendations on scheduling. Your electives will depend on your interests. Not sure how much help anyone else can be here, unless they actually went through the program.
 
  • #3
fss said:
Frankly I think all courses should be curved to a C. It's a good way to separate the average students from the good students. You should not expect to have a curve higher than a C ; anything else is a bonus.

I know that averages should be geared towards a C; but what I meant was that it would be practically impossible for someone to get an A in these programs at GT. GT engineers complain so much more about a bad score than almost any other engineering school. For example, one person getting an A in a class of 150 people or something. Don't know about the physics side.

GT's outline of the physics major should have recommendations on scheduling. Your electives will depend on your interests. Not sure how much help anyone else can be here, unless they actually went through the program.

Yea, I will run out of classes junior year and would have taken everything on the schedule leaving Junior and Senior years to be totally up to me. I just want to know what classes to avoid. I read that mathematical physics is just a review of calculus, diff. eq. and linear algebra so that would be a pointless class I might have taken if I had not known any better.
 
  • #4
I'm a senior majoring in physics and math at GT. I don't know where you heard that it is difficult to get research opportunities as an undergrad - from my anecdotal experience and everyone else I know, this is completely false. Every professor I've asked about doing research under has said yes without even asking what classes I had taken or GPA (except for the mathematical physicist that I work under now, who I did an REU under last summer). That includes the professor I started working for while taking physics 1!

Average GPAs for different courses are available publicly online at http://www.sga.gatech.edu/critique/ if that worries you. It is true that GT has 'grade deflation' by today's standards, but it is not too bad. I personally like it since it makes me work harder. We still send plenty of grads to top grad schools.

For electives, I really recommend against mathematical physics for precisely the reasons you stated. Take the graduate level sequence instead if you want to learn anything. I had a lot of fun taking Electronics, Solid-State Physics, and Optics though.

I love GT and I wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere else for my undergrad even if I were given the chance!
 
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  • #5


I cannot provide a personal opinion on the quality of Georgia Tech's physics program. However, I can suggest some ways to gather more information about the program.

First, you could look at rankings and reviews of the program from reputable sources such as U.S. News & World Report or the National Research Council. These rankings take into account factors such as research opportunities, faculty quality, and student satisfaction.

Additionally, you could reach out to current or former students in the program through online forums or social media to get their firsthand experiences and insights. You could also contact the physics department directly and ask for more information about research opportunities and faculty involvement with undergraduate students.

As for class recommendations, it would be best to consult with an academic advisor at Georgia Tech who can provide personalized guidance based on your academic goals and interests. They can also help you plan a course of study that aligns with your future career plans and graduate school aspirations.
 

FAQ: Quality of Georgia Tech's physics program? (undergrad)

What is the reputation of Georgia Tech's physics program?

The Georgia Tech physics program has a strong reputation as one of the top programs in the country. It is consistently ranked among the top 10 undergraduate physics programs by U.S. News & World Report.

What research opportunities are available for undergraduates in the physics program at Georgia Tech?

The physics program at Georgia Tech offers a variety of research opportunities for undergraduate students. These include working with faculty on ongoing research projects, participating in summer research programs, and conducting independent research projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

How are the faculty in the physics department at Georgia Tech?

The faculty in the physics department at Georgia Tech are highly qualified and dedicated to teaching and research. They have expertise in a wide range of subfields within physics and are actively involved in cutting-edge research projects.

What is the curriculum like for the physics program at Georgia Tech?

The physics program at Georgia Tech offers a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum that covers all major areas of physics, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics. Students also have the opportunity to choose electives in specialized areas such as astrophysics, biophysics, and materials science.

What career opportunities are available for graduates of Georgia Tech's physics program?

Graduates of Georgia Tech's physics program are well-prepared for a variety of career paths. Many go on to pursue graduate studies in physics or related fields, while others enter careers in research, industry, or education. The strong problem-solving and analytical skills gained through the program also make graduates desirable candidates for a wide range of jobs in fields such as engineering, finance, and data science.

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