Necessary classes before graduate school

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the necessary coursework and preparation for graduate school in physics, particularly for students with a dual degree in electrical engineering (EE) and physics. Participants explore which classes are essential to succeed in qualifying exams and graduate-level courses, focusing on topics like quantum mechanics (QM), classical mechanics (CM), and electromagnetism (E&M).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests covering up to two semesters of QM and CM, along with two semesters of E&M through the engineering department.
  • Another participant recommends including abstract algebra and studying group theory, although this is met with skepticism.
  • A participant questions the relevance of abstract algebra for qualifying exams, indicating a lack of consensus on its necessity.
  • Some participants advocate for taking E&M courses from the physics department rather than the EE department, citing potential gaps in essential topics.
  • There are suggestions to consult with an EE advisor about course substitutions to ensure adequate preparation for graduate studies.
  • Concerns are raised about the adequacy of EE E&M courses in covering important concepts like potential formulation and conservation laws.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the necessity of abstract algebra for graduate preparation, with some advocating for its inclusion and others dismissing it as unnecessary. There is a general agreement on the importance of taking E&M courses from the physics department, but the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to course selection and preparation.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the potential limitations of EE courses in covering essential physics topics, but there is no consensus on how to best address these gaps or the role of abstract algebra in preparation for qualifying exams.

brentd49
Messages
73
Reaction score
0
I've been reading ZapperZ's thread "I have so-and-so degree, can I get into Physics?", and I've been thinking what classes I should definitely take so that the qualifier doesn't kick me out of graduate school.

I'm in a EE and physics dual degree program, which doesn't require as many physics classes as physics majors. My current plan is to cover up to 2 semesters of QM and CM. Through the Engineering dept, I will have covered 2 semesters of EM, solid state, and other general EE courses. Are there any other necessary courses or independent studying I should do, so that I do well on the physics gre and the qualifier?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Based on my own experiences, make sure you have some abstract algebra in there too. It couldn't hurt to study some group theory on your own. If you're going experimental they won't help you too much down the road, but they may help with your classes.
 
Er... abstract algebra? For preparation for the qualifying exam??! Which school is this?

Zz.
 
I would take the Physics Department E&M courses, not the ones thru the EE department. I have seen your situation in the past and the students seem to do OK until they get to the graduate courses in E&M, then they have real problems.
 
Okay. So no abstract algebra?

If E&M is that serious, I'll study it on my own. But I don't have time to formally retake two classes. Or maybe I'll just sit-in on the courses.
 
you can talk to your EE advisor about replacing EE's E&M with Physic's E&M. I didn't realize that at my school and ended up taking E&M from EE. I would suggest taking E&M from physics. EE will not cover some essential/useful topics, just maxwell's equations and applications. for example, my EE E&M class did not cover potential formulation and conservation laws.
 
brentd49 said:
Okay. So no abstract algebra?
If E&M is that serious, I'll study it on my own. But I don't have time to formally retake two classes. Or maybe I'll just sit-in on the courses.
Yeah, I definitely would not bother with abstract algebra, unless your a masochist :-p
 
ZapperZ said:
Er... abstract algebra? For preparation for the qualifying exam??! Which school is this?

I suspect that WMGoBuffs responded to the title of the thread without thoroughly reading brentd49's first post. WMGoBuffs does make a good point, though. Some people need (and some don't) a course in a abstract algebra in order to understand some of the group theory concepts presented in graduate particle and quantum field theory courses.

Recently, someone started posting in PF looking for lots of help with group theory and representation theory. Even though an introductory abstract algebra course covers neither Lie groups nor representation theory, I don't think this person would be having nearly as many problems if he/she had taken an abstract algebra course.

Regards,
George
 

Similar threads

Admissions Graduating a year early anxieties + grad school
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Admissions Advice on how best to spend my time for graduate school applications
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Other Would it be advisable to take an extra year before graduating?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Admissions How to improve graduate school applications after college?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
5K
Admissions Sincerely seeking graduate school admission advice
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
Admissions Plasma Physics PhD from an EE undergrad
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Admissions Latebloomer with many past mistakes applying to graduate school
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Admissions What are my chances of being admitted into good graduate schools?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Is a Low CGPA a Deal Breaker for Grad School Admissions?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
6K
Admissions Need advice regarding my admissions prospects for graduate school
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K