I do not mean to sound smug here, but I honestly think physics is the most difficult undergraduate major one can choose (paralleled maybe by a math major with a focus in pure math, although I don't think so, at least not at my uni). But, it was a while back when my school's physics program was still archaic - set up pretty much only for … It seems like physics departments like to tout the diversity of careers their alumni have, but I think this diversity is despite their physics degrees, as opposed to the physics degree opening up all of these doors. I don't think teaching ability is even considered when profs are hired (my department holds colloquia for potential profs which I have attended), its an afterthought. I have a passion for learning it. If i obtain a Bachelors degree in General Physics and choose NOT to pursue a Masters immediately after what could i do with the physics degree? You're right. I tried to just focus on the experience of being a physics major in college. Try Majors Matcher. And so on. I loved reading about it, learning it, and discussing it with friends, but ultimately I've decided it is not for me and I just want to share my experience with the major and why I'm choosing to leave(part of which is to further convince myself I should leave :)). This makes me like physics less simply because I am not good at doing it. I usually recommend that people go into computer science and minor in physics, if they were raised on pop sci or were not sure of their enthusiasm for physics, for the same reasons you pointed out. Girlfriend, who also has undergrad physics degree, is struggling to find a job. You won't be finding any jobs that should be easily open to you, if you were in physics instead of engineering. in Physics and M.S. For Nance, she had always known Reddit as more of an entertainment source like many other social media platforms. Teaching strategies are the various techniques used by the teachers to facilitate the students with different learning styles. Students may expect to pursue research that influences many fields, including biology, mathematics, medicine, chemistry, engineering, and computer science. I think if you changed your attitude and realized that you have NOTHING less than whom you admire, you would be more successful. Press J to jump to the feed. I'm in OP's boat, I'm not as great as my peers in some classes which has derailed my confidence, didn't do so hot in Quantum. Top Physics Programs . 48: This second major is not offered with a primary major in Physics or a minor in Physics. A large portion of physics graduates go on to graduate school. I don't think teaching ability is even considered when profs are hired (my department holds colloquia for potential profs which I have attended), its an afterthought. Or trying to have ten hour sex marathons if you thought porn was reality. I would love to hear some feedback on this from students who are further along than I. ALL PC32XX and PC42XX modules that can be used to fulfil the requirements for the Major Programme in Physics. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The degree program in applied physics may be better suited for entry into industry or government upon graduation, preparation for further professional training (medicine, law, dentistry, or business), or preparation for graduate study in some other discipline. If you want more specific help, you can pm me with some information about the programme and I can try to give more specific advice. It's less likely in physics. I'm not gonna lie, though, it's really tempting to quit just because it's hard to pay the bills and work on making an actual life for myself. Email Dr. Sean Robinson (spatrick@mit.edu), the Physics Flex Plan Coordinator, and make an appointment to discuss how you will meet all the requirements of the Flex major. Note: Level-4000 PC prefixed modules may be taken to replace up … Professional or amateur theories and models are welcome as long as they are backed up by actual research. That's true, YET, you'll become physicists in the end so you should study physics. Students wishing to enroll in physics courses must obtain a C- grade or better in prerequisite courses. I concur, as a math major you might end up taking a fair number of classes that would not be relevant to what you'll be doing later. As a Senior student of physicist who wants to do theoretical physics. Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours. Aba'y SAKALAM! For me the physics was never meant to be a career path. Can't speak as to the course load of physics/math double major, but I'm a theoretical chemistry PhD student and I managed to get chemistry/math double major within 4 years while working 2 jobs (take summer classes for gen ed courses if you can). I also had a really hard time finding a job after finishing my physics degree. The Physics Major in the Sciences and Letters Curriculum is a flexible program for students who plan to pursue technical or professional careers in areas requiring a sound grounding in physical science and mathematics. I agree. None of those pop science books and pop scientists seem to highlight how terrible scientists have it sometimes. I’m almost done with my freshman year of college and will soon be declaring my major. I too fell in love with physics in my senior year, and I went on to major in it in college. Post and discuss any commentaries, opinions or external links related to advanced research in physics. Some universities offer some math heavy options in a physics programme, so that would not be the necessary course of action. First of all, there is no denying that physics is difficult subject. Aren't physicists supposed to be smart? It's akin to trying to have a relationship if you were raised on Disney movies and thought they were anything like reality. Ah yes, the never ending battle between Physics and Engineering. So im a soon to be Senior in High School and i was always undecided on what i wanted to do with life until i took an Honors Physics class and fell in love with it. Honestly, all but one of my physics profs have been able to teach clearly and effectively. Planning for Your Physics Career. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Physics departments can use the institute’s data to help advise students, Mulvey said. If you are looking for a "physics" job, that is tough. With over 2,100 different majors to choose from, selecting the best one can be daunting. Posts should be pertinent, meme-free, and generate a discussion about physics. Completely agree with you. The rest are generally able to find employment. Honestly, all but one of my physics profs have been able to teach clearly and effectively. The older and more mature I become though, the harder this "college should not be treated as a vocational education" is to justify to myself. Reddit is now running an official Science-AMA series, where practicing researchers and groups of scientists from all disciplines can expound upon their experiences in the lab. What if you are struggling just to get by in undergrad? Computer science offers careers for the physics major in graphics and software, artificial intelligence, data processing and computer games. I didn't do so hot, and so my chances for going to graduate school and PhD were kind of shot. Those are hard to find. Happy hunting. But quitting? All Physics majors Fill out the double major petition and submit it by emailing Emma Dunn or by delivering it to the Academic Programs Office, 4-315, for a signature. I realize that statement was perhaps a bit extreme. A physics major provides a wide range of career options. I don’t think a double major in both math and physics would work for me as the course load would not be something I could reasonably get through in a four year plan. There is no such thing as a "phyiscal intuition", there's just hard-workers, and persistent folk. I appreciate that they've made science more popular, which is good for funding, but there is so much romanticism and mysticism in what they talk about that they don't prepare unsuspecting students for the terribly hard work that comes with actually doing physics. It is creativity. I think your statement only works if you actually grasp the concepts that you are taught. Lost of hard work and long hours are necessary even just to be mediocre. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. You’ll learn the math you need to do physics, whereas the other option you’ll learn unnecessary math and not enough physics, New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the TheoreticalPhysics community, Continue browsing in r/TheoreticalPhysics. Major in phys with a minor in math. This is SUPREMELY agitating. I can tell you from experience that being a physics student is one of most fun, most enjoyable, and probably one of the easiest problems you will face in your lifetime and you are making a BIG mistake. If you wish to dive into theoretical physics you will absolutely need solid physical basis. Teaching is important.. if those other things are equal (which they never are), but teaching is also indirectly tied to speaking, which also influences how easily those applicants get funding. Degree Requirements All Physics Majors. Each role you assume teaches you about yourself, what role and professional environment best suits you. You might not have the opportunity to take all these courses if you take math as major because your program would be filled with lots of math courses. Computer hardware is the result of applied physics. Finding a professional fit is a process of self-discovery. Pero parang delikado ata yang strategy mo sir? I've been feeling disenchanted for a while, but I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt and get exposed to more physics before I decide whether or not to pull the plug. Data analytics companies in Boston often hire physics majors because they know some programming, they know a lot of math (usually more usable math than a math major), and they are comfortable giving a meaning to large sets of data. Courses from the two sequences can be combined, You sound creative, and that's pretty great. Choosing The Right Physics Major. have some prior background knowledge, reduce problem to simplest possible form, see what kind of shit you can do before you call for help). I find no part of them enjoyable. You may be dropping physics now, but life will surely put many obstacles in front of you -- no matter what you do. It wouldn't be so bad if the subject wasn't so difficult and time consuming, but I think the commitment to the subject should not be taken lightly by prospective students. Where are you looking? Physics requires a strong commitment of time and effort. Beware to post if you do not know what a Lagrangian is. It is a large research university, so the profs are hired based on their success in research. Papers from physics journals (free or otherwise) are encouraged. As a physics major at Brandeis, you will be equipped with the methodological tools and conceptual insight of the field, preparing you well to pursue graduate work at universities across the U.S. and globally. None of those pop science books and pop scientists seem to highlight how terrible scientists have it sometimes. I feel I've lost many hours due to my professors inability to convey new concepts clearly, even in office hours. A computer science degree is not enough to get you a job, but you will have lots of opportunities to make the connections you need to get you a job. It is a large research university, so the profs are hired based on their success in research. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. P.S. The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers two undergraduate majors, in Physics and in Applied Physics. We are currently accepting applications for Fall 2021 M.S. The thing is though, is that I think there is a difference between learning physics and doing physics. Losers always whine about their best. I think it might depend on your college's programme and what area of theoretical physics you're most interested in. I say all of this, mind you, as someone who still works in the field and generally sort of enjoys it, but I consider myself quite lucky. My big question to someone like you is, why should a smart person really go into physics? I know physics majors who are in a math PhD and vice-versa. Godspeed. It also maintains a state-by-state list of employers that have hired bachelor’s-degree recipients in physics. A Physics Major may be tailored to be a natural counterpart to a second Major in mathematics, astronomy, computer science, environmental science, geology or the life sciences. A Physics Major program is appropriate for students interested in a more flexible and diverse undergraduate physics program. Teaching strategies. how well can you spin the skills you learned in grad school). Physics Major Bachelor of Science. You are on your own, and the sooner you realize it, the better off you will be. I love reading pop sci physics books, sitting in lectures learning the formalisms and oddities of QM, getting down with the differential form of Maxwell's eqs, or learning the really cool mathematics behind Lagrangian mechanics. For large research universities where the funding and lifeblood of the school is supremely dependent on research, the major and dominant aspect of any application is the research history, research potential, and research funding of the applicant. The HW, labs, tests, etc.. are generally very hard and time consuming. I can agree with the fact that physics has definitely given me sharper reasoning and analytic skills though. I’m hoping to pursue a career in theoretical physics. You need to learn more math than the other students who want to do optics, solid state physics and so on. They may not be able to do it effectively for every student, but part of that is because one of the problems with physics is that the student can only be guided up a point at which the student must be the one who makes the leap and connection. The School of Physics offers two undergraduate degrees, the Bachelor of Science in Physics and the Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen". classical physics - our faculty and students explore the fundamental laws of nature. *Please note that Math N53 will notbe accepted. An undergraduate degree in physics can lead to any number of exciting careers, and there are many great undergraduate degree programs to choose from; by choosing from a list that ranks bachelor of physics programs with the best return on investment you will be making sure the money you put in to your education provides you with a secure future in the field of physics. (Mechanical engineering here) I took some physics classes and it really teaches you how to think, which is what I lack in my major. If I could upvote this one thousand times I would. If they're truly smart enough, they could make far more money founding a startup, working on wallstreet, or programming something. Although I relate to your frustration, you will come to realize that in life, you cannot rely on anybody to teach you stuff. Physics GRE Flashcards! Hell no. It is much easier for me (maybe just less perceived difficulty because I enjoy it more) and the career prospects for a CS+math major seem to be much better, which make the degree a much better investment of time and money. The physics degree, as many of you may know, is also really just a stepping stone to a graduate degree in physics. Just a suggestion: why don't you ask your gf if she has any interest in engineering? The Physics major is designed to give students a rigorous training in physics which can be used as strong preparation for graduate school, work in the private sector, or teaching. I did a dual major with Physics and Cinema. in Physics Entrepreneurship (applications accepted on a rolling basis, apply by May 15, 2021 if you require a visa) This bachelor of science (BSc) program offers a solid physics background with the opportunity to explore other disciplines. The mark of a great physicist isn't the number of problem sets one has cranked through, or the number of graduate math classes they can vaguely reference. The thing is though, is that I think there is a difference between learning physics and doing physics. Honestly though, the biggest reason is that the math and programming/numerical analysis is much more enjoyable that the physics, which I would have not expected AT ALL. Be sure to do internships and start networking before you graduate. Physics major and math minor I assume, you probably won’t need every class a math major offers, and the approach to solving problems is actually very different between the two. Physics is concerned with the study of matter, energy, forces, and their interaction in the world and universe around us. The best fit for you should align with your goals, interests and natural strengths. Especially considering I spend so much money to attend this school. Now this difficulty does not pose too big a problem, that is if your interested enough in the subject matter. You will not go wrong with either though. Completing the HW sets, doing the labs, the research, your ability to solve the problems on exams (which may be nothing like the HW). If you can't really put up with such a CLEAN prescription of studying hard, and doing well-defined/structured courses , you will find the unpredictable, social, personal, random shit in life WAY MORE frustrating. Not everyone finds it early (and some people will never see it!). * There's a great thrill in learning the material that feels like you're learning some of the great secrets of the Universe and following in the footsteps of great scientists. Many students pursue further studies in physics, other scientific disciplines, and various branches of engineering and medicine. The majority of upper level (300 level and above) physics courses must be taken in residence at Purdue. Do you have any advice for a highschooler wanting to be a physicist on books to read things to do, im currently reading feynman, and my highschool physics textbooks, not pop sci. I think it would be beneficial for more authors to highlight how arduous science can be in practice, how many times a scientist can fail before getting it right, or even on the right track for that matter. Moreover, Applied Physics major programmes are offered only in most other universities in Hong Kong. Agreed. The study of physics underlies many pivotal discoveries of the 20th century – including the laser, television, radio, computer technology, and nuclear weapons– and has played a vital role in the development of quantum theory, the theory of relativity, the big bang, and the splitting of the atom. Please report trolls and intentionally misleading comments. But despite this, I am extremely jelouse of physics majors who can look at my hw and know how to solve it without actually knowing any context about it. For every Feynman out there, how many unknown scientist toiled without recognition, in poverty and turmoil? Because of flexibility in upper division physics requirements, students can plan their own upper division courses to fit their individual objectives. An interesting point. After this grace period, I have indeed decided to move on. When entering the major I knew I had to learn how to program and learn a lot of extra math, I thought this was going to be the burden. Remember to always back up your posts with reliable information, clear argumentation and verifiable sources. These two fields of science and technology are both very similar, yet very different from one another. It may seem that your professors owe you something, but they don't. I'm glad you found a path that you like. I am also developing a space flight simulator phone app game, which is absolutely using what I learned from studying physics. When did people decide that 70 hour weeks and decades of stress should be the norm? Because that's precisely the motivation that you and other physicists seem to think is disingenuous (in my experience). I think majoring in physics is kind of a waste of time unless you plan on specifically going on in physics itself. What do you think would be best for preparing me for graduate school with a focus on theoretical physics? I think major physics + minor math is better for you. The ranking compares the top physics programs in the U.S. Read more on how this ranking was calculated. GPA requirements: Students in the major must maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 and also a grade point average of at least 2.0 in all required physics and mathematics courses. Admission to the major requires completion of the preparation for the major. Most of the professors assume the physics students to be self-motivated, and in my personal experience (my undergrad and grad are big public research universities as well), physics professors are more than willing to try to teach students if they come in to ask for the help. The teacher can only get the student as close as possible, and while teachers may vary in effectiveness, it is really the student who determines that leap. The real difficulty however lies in doing the physics, which is the large majority of the major. The major difference is in employability, which, if you continue past a BSci, is really dependent on the individual (ie. For example, in my university, which offers a 3 year programme, mathematics would certainly be the right choice, but followed by a 2 year theoretical physics master's (European system). Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. If you wish to dive into theoretical physics you will absolutely need solid physical basis. The undergraduate curriculum in the Department of Physics leading to the BA in physics includes a strong emphasis on experiment and covers the broad fundamentals necessary for graduate study in theoretical or experimental physics, as well as some fields of engineering and many interdisciplinary specialties requiring a strong technical background (e.g., biophysics, medical physics, a… Alright, so I'll preface this with the fact I'm only a (now former) junior undergrad physics major at a large department at a US university (top 30 in physics) and this will be a bit of a rant, but I have decided to leave the major and my pursuit of physics. Not only that, I am not too good in the major, and I feel I lack the physical intuition that my successful peers have. If you study math major, you will take a lot of math courses that you won't need in your career. This sub does not fear maths, so mathematical physics discussions are appreciated. There's a reason why they are hired by their research abilities -- they can get stuff done, on their own, without relying on other people. Physics major and math minor I assume, you probably won’t need every class a math major offers, and the approach to solving problems is actually very different between the two. It is what I have been enjoying the most. PHYSICS MAJOR, B. S. – 2019-2020 . A few weeks ago, I gave a talk to the AP Physics class at my old high school about why they should all study physics in college. You're a God and I wish I had gold for an offering. Thank you. Note: All physics majors are required to fulfill three sets of requirements: Department of Physics and Astronomy Requirements, College of Science Requirements, and the University Core Requirements. Turned out I was totally wrong! Alright, so I'll preface this with the fact I'm only a (now former) junior undergrad physics major at a large department at a US university (top 30 in physics) and this will be a bit of a rant, but I have decided to leave the major and my pursuit of physics. That depends on what kind of career you want to have, but in general: no, it's not a bad move. They take the jobs that they can get and seem to usually be fighting with people that have more specialized degrees. However, I do agree that a physics degree is more like an art degree than it is an engineering degree. This is compounded by my schools lack of good physics teachers. The aim of /r/Physics is to build a subreddit frequented by physicists, scientists, and those with a passion for physics. Okay, fine, just a slight exaggeration, but these were extremely optimistic people who ended up dropping out of the major because the romance of physics and the reality of physics don't really match up if you were raised on pop sci. It's become a depressing field, in my opinion, and the benefits down the road are beginning to be outweighed by risks and sacrifices demanded by narcissistic professors, university politics, and the publish-or-perish culture. Learning physics is awesome and, I think, it is not terribly difficult to grasp the general ideas in some detail. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus. Prepare for graduate school with expert tips from CWRU physics professor, Doc Brown. Interested In Getting A Physics … Also, this is the main original reason why undergrads were encouraged to find research opportunities as soon as possible. I found it fun, but a bit isolating. It certainly is not a vocational degree and I certainly think college should not be just a vocational education. Learning physics fun no doubt, its why I initially decided to major in it. I want to major in physics, but my parents say its a bad idea. Pre-major advising is available in 368 or 374 LeConte for all students who would like some academic counseling prior to declaring a major in physics. I do not regret my short time spent in physics at all, but I think I am making the right move here. The Best Colleges for Physics ranking is based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Explaining why physics itself is interesting or talking about careers/graduate school would have… If it weren’t for physicists, the modern world would be a very different place. I thought physics was it, I thought its what I wanted to do and I was dead set on doing it and going to grad school. because, as everyone has probably heard, college is not meant to be a vocational education. I still work on physics to this day, but part of the problem to me and - I think - for people like OP is that Physics departments want people and they're willing to sell the major as a "versatile" career choice to make this happen. I think majoring in physics is kind of a waste of time unless you plan on specifically going on in physics itself. As quoted by the famous Sir Sean Connery, ".. (Actually, there's a nice history on science book that talks about the people behind science.. and how many scientists die in misery, like Boltzmann who committed suicide because ain't nobody thought his crazy ass theories about atoms were true. This way, if an undergrad felt that he wasn't into doing physics research, he wouldn't go to grad school. Having recently completed my physics degree, I wholeheartedly wish I had done CS. Is the motivation just supposed to be that it's cool and interesting? A lot of what one learns beyond freshman year physics while very interesting, seemed useless to me outside of physics itself if I decided to leave later on. Hey guys. This is why I don't really enjoy the pop science and the pop scientists. Although students cannot declare until the lower division prerequisites (Physics 5 or 7 series and Math 1A-B, 53* and Physics 89) are finished, any student interested in the Physics major should come in for pre-major advising as soon as possible. But yes, of course, in a research university, the most important thing is research. ), That said, I disagree with your statement. To research universities, the benefit that students get from these professors isn't good teaching, it's the opportunity to do research with them. If Physics 1-2-3-4-5 is taken in place of Physics 20-21-22-23-24-25, it must be completed with an average grade of 2.70.
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