http://www.physicsforums.com Which college and degree? Grad school and PhD help Educators and Teaching - Science Textbook Discussion en Wed, 22 May 2013 20:52:58 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.physicsforums.com/images/physicsforums/misc/rss.jpg http://www.physicsforums.com http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693135&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:25 GMT I have a bit of a problem and I am not sure how to deal with it. I’ve looked on multiple forums and all I found is that I’m screwed. So, here it... I have a bit of a problem and I am not sure how to deal with it. I’ve looked on multiple forums and all I found is that I’m screwed. So, here it is, I positively love physics. The problem is that I have pretty bad dyscalculia (math blindness). Saying that, I have done well doing college algebra, at least the process of algebra. I like a process I can “see” and math in general is crystal clear. I’ve went all the way to calculus 3 in my math career. Now for the weird part, I don’t know my multiplication tables. My adding is ok if I can use my fingers, draw pictures, or use a calculator. We will not talk about the subtracting and division side of things (eeeesh… it’s not pretty).

Let me come back to my elusive love – physics. I have passed my University physics 1 class; barely (took me 4 tries at that). I loved the concepts and I can “see” the theories fine! It was positively fascinating (actually, I would love to learn more about gravity. I feel there is something big there, that what I have learned is just the tip of the top of the iceberg.)! It’s the formulas that throw me under the buss, though. The different symbols that are used in the formulas are just impossible to keep straight as well. I have tried to use different colors to help break up the formulas but the class goes so fast that I can’t keep up with that technique.

The numbers and formulas are like Saran Wrap on an oily bowl – nothing sticks. I can learn something one day and the next day it’s gone. It’s just gone, as I try to learn the next set of lessons. I have no idea of the formula concepts I just learned a day ago, let alone a week. It’s like I can’t “see” what the formulas are doing. I understand “what” they are doing but can’t see it. I remember I took a final exam in one of the physic classes I failed. Though I studied for days, for hours at a time, when I got the test it might as well been in Swahili. Nothing looked familiar. I couldn’t do one problem. It is very frustrating. I know I am not stupid!

I have to take physics 2 for my degree. Actually, I am very excited to take it. It involves magnetism, electricity, and other things that I also find fascinating. I know I will fail this class as well. UGH!!!!! I want to learn this stuff and I know there is a way for me to do it. I just don’t know what it is. I thought of sitting in on a few classes (if I need time to learn, what a great way to do it). I can’t, though; it cost as much as a regular class. The tutor centers aren’t trained to deal with someone with dyscalculia and they can’t/don’t really help. I don’t think that the teachers have time or really care if I get physics or not. I don’t want to give up, but I’m sick of failing before I even get started. There has to be a way – there just has to be. ]]> Academic Guidance Laughingkrow http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693135 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693126&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 17:16:30 GMT Hi everyone, I am a biology major (doing premed) as undergraduate right now. I was doing premed, however I volunteered at hospitals and such, and... Hi everyone,

I am a biology major (doing premed) as undergraduate right now. I was doing premed, however I volunteered at hospitals and such, and I am strongly starting to believe it is not for me at all. I loved physics in high school, took AP Physics and actively participated in Physics and Astrophysics clubs. Now, I know it is not the same thing as majoring in physics in college. I am thinking to add another semester to have a minor in physics. However, I am wondering if that would be enough to go to masters and PHD in physics??

I am interested in biology research too, but I have a strong passion towards physics and would really like to see if I can have any opportunity in it. My GPA right now is 3.45. I know, not that great but I messed up in freshman year but each semester my gpa kept going up and it keeps going up, so I expect it to be better by the time I graduate.

And I am participating in one of my professor's research lab. (biology)
Thanks guys, I really appreciate any advice you might be able to give me. ]]> Academic Guidance thecatnip http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693126 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693107&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 16:08:50 GMT hi all once a student graduate from High school he will start looking for a university (there are exceptions for sure). and the ranking story... hi all
once a student graduate from High school he will start looking for a university (there are exceptions for sure).
and the ranking story begins ...
what do you think?
is an accredited engineering school for the undergraduate level is the best choice?
an engineer told me once that an accredited school is the best start and you can save money for the Graduate level ,do you agree?

and BTW ,what do you think about Cleveland State University (Mechanical engineering dept)??


best; ]]> Academic Guidance YYaaSSeeRR http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693107 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693106&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 16:04:19 GMT hi all I am just wondering ,can a Mechanical engineer do the job of a Mechanical engineering technician ?? and what are the benefit of learning... hi all
I am just wondering ,can a Mechanical engineer do the job of a Mechanical engineering technician ??
and what are the benefit of learning Programming languages in the Mechanical engineering field??
does it help the engineer for more job opportunities? ]]> Academic Guidance YYaaSSeeRR http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693106 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693093&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 14:30:47 GMT I have done my Undergrad in Electrical Engineering and I have close to 8 Years of work experience in PCB design and mostly in Validation. I have done... I have done my Undergrad in Electrical Engineering and I have close to 8 Years of work experience in PCB design and mostly in Validation. I have done Signal Integrity and bit of Power Integrity validation for boards.
I would like to move towards Signal and Power Integrity field. In that case what are the pros and cons of doing a Masters degree in the electrical and computer science field.
1. Will this help me to move forward in my career.
2. What are the courses I should be picking up for getting into the Signal and Power Integrity field

Thanks in advance ]]> Academic Guidance nk_1 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693093 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693033&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 07:39:08 GMT Hello there and thank you for taking your time to read this. Well my problem is that I can't decide if I should double major or not. I am going to be an incoming freshman to college with my intended major being physics. I wanted to double major with EE because I find it to also be interesting and I wanted to learn new things in this field. I'm also interested in nanotechnology and thought that this combination would be helpful down the road, but I don't know how heavy the workload will be.( I know it will probably be a lot though .___. ) A concern of mine is that I won't be able to handle the workload and my GPA will drop considerably, but I'm willing to work my hardest. So basically, double major or not? Any help will be amazing, and thanks ^_^ ]]> Academic Guidance Physics_Chris http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693033 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693027&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 06:39:29 GMT Okay, for financial reasons I am just a tad late to the party on where I will be attending school for my Freshman year in college this fall. I have... Okay, for financial reasons I am just a tad late to the party on where I will be attending school for my Freshman year in college this fall. I have been accepted to several schools in state (I do live in Alabama though, so nothing special) but I feel like saving an incredible load of money at a CC for two years would be a wise thing to do, and because I am paying for my education that is what my parents want me to do.

However, I am fully aware that CC's are far less rigorous than four year universities, and I am wondering if attending a CC for two years will hurt my chances of getting into a decent grad school?

In case it matters, I am going to major in Physics. If that doesn't work out probably Biology, or some Engineering. ]]> Academic Guidance Mr. Ryan http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693027 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693016&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 05:05:14 GMT Hi guys! I had a recent talk with my friend about my college debt / tuition and future job prospects as a means of paying off that debt and he voiced... Hi guys! I had a recent talk with my friend about my college debt / tuition and future job prospects as a means of paying off that debt and he voiced his concerns about my future financial state, concerns which hit me square in the face and brought me back down to reality - now I just can't stop worrying. My parents pay quite a sum of money per year for me to attend my current university and (hopefully) attain a bachelors in physics. Unfortunately, I also have a brother and they have to pay for his college education too so I will have to take on the debt that they will have accumulated for my education simply because it would be wrong to put the burden on them. The amount of money that will have been given to the university by my senior year (so 3 years from now) will have been about 120 grand.

This is certainly a heft sum of money to pay not to mention there is interest which will have accumulated on top of this. I will have to have a decent job in order to actually pay this off in a reasonable amount of time (I don't play on letting my parents pay most if any of it - I want them to focus on my brother's education). That being said, the main question I wish to ask is: how good a job, in the best case scenario, can you actually get with a BS in physics? By how good I simply mean in terms of salary. There don't seem to be much if any financially lucrative job prospects for a person with only a BS in physics and this worries me greatly.

I should note that I don't plan on getting married or having kids at any point in life so I will not have the gigantic financial burden that comes with marriage and kids. I am also asking specifically about the financial prospects of a physics BS and not a PhD because I want to be as realistic as possible; getting a PhD in physics is no joke for anyone and the chances of me failing are much greater than the chances of me succeeding statistically speaking. As such, I want to be as prepared as possible with just a BS in physics. Do you think it is possible, in regular circumstances (i.e. no lucky break with a miraculous job that is quite rare relative to the norm) to get an industry job with a physics BS that would allow, at the least, a ~120k base college tuition to be paid off in a reasonable amount of time (so that I won't be stuck with debt my entire life)?

I am asking now because I want to make these future decisions before its too late. I am going to enter sophomore year in august and if the job prospects are bleak then it would only serve me well to change my major to something more practical (e.g. electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering etc.) so that I don't drown in a sea of debt that I can never claw myself out of as soon as I get out of college. Thanks in advance for the help, I honestly have no familiarity with job prospects for anything physics related and don't know where to turn. Thanks again! ]]> Academic Guidance WannabeNewton http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=693016 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692995&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 02:09:55 GMT I guess this is a question for members with a pretty comprehensive knowledge of physics. My question is: Where did ye start? I mean, I have an... I guess this is a question for members with a pretty comprehensive knowledge of physics. My question is: Where did ye start? I mean, I have an average understanding of classical and electromagnetic physics but I'd really like to build on that substantially. I'm studying Engineering so there's quite a bit of physics mixed up in there. I mainly just enjoy the problem solving side of it. I understand the majority if lecture material but sometimes find myself giving in to just "learning it by rote". So, are there any tips that ye can give me to really improve my fundamentals? ]]> Academic Guidance SherlockOhms http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692995 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692951&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 21:05:43 GMT Would you recommend me some good universities in Europe where I can study Physics/Theoretical Physics? I'm a student in Sofia at the moment but under some circumstances I'd like to continue my study abroad. It would be perfect if the courses are in English but German goes, too :) Thank you in advance! ]]> Academic Guidance dessy37 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692951 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692860&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 08:41:47 GMT I know this bit awkward, but seriously I am in need of some advice due to my strange situation. Last year I joined a graduate school at US which is... I know this bit awkward, but seriously I am in need of some advice due to my strange situation. Last year I joined a graduate school at US which is ranked below 150 as I got only offer from this university and rejected from the rest of universities where I applied.

I was not at all happy with the program due to various reasons. First of all I had already masters degree and I am an international student of around 35 years old. So, I didn't want to continue the course as I had to spend two years attending coursework, in the meanwhile try to clear masters qualifying exam and to grapple with qualifying exam for PhD in the next three years given to me to qualify these exams, before I actually start with my PhD research. They told me that my Masters degree from my country is not recognized, so I have to sit for the MS qualifying exam. Besides, none of the research( mostly experimental) taking place in the school excites me as my interest is in theoretical physics. Moreover, I found difficulty in adjusting to the environment as the university town is bit far away from the city and its mostly ghost town. Due to these various reasons, I eventually lost interest in the program and decided to drop out of the school.

After spending a semester, I left the program and finally got back at my country and coincidentally I am able to join a PhD program in my country. However, research potential is very limited in this current university due to poor infrastructure and I don't have supervisors who can actually help me in my research interest. So, I am thinking of applying somewhere in Europe for next academic session for physics PhD, where I can start my PhD straight away without having to do coursework and complete possibly in around 3 or 4 years.

My question is, how would I convince the admission committee at universities in Europe so that I can get a berth in their PhD program? Wouldn't they think that I am incompetent for their position as I dropped out of US graduate school? Is it necessary to mention that I spent a semester at US graduate school and backed out before even completing a year of the program? Will it be impossible for me to get into programs at Europe?

I am truly sorry for this long write up and I am thanking you in advance for your sincere advice and suggestion. ]]> Academic Guidance samkh http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692860 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692835&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 04:22:10 GMT So I am taking Physics II this fall semester. I am an engineering major, and I am currently split between mechanical, and civil. My questions is how... So I am taking Physics II this fall semester. I am an engineering major, and I am currently split between mechanical, and civil. My questions is how hard will the class be for me? I have already done the three semesters of calculus including a vector calculus extension. I got an A in calc III, but a B in calc II because it was my first semester of college. Other than that I have gotten all A's. The other physics classes I have taken so far are Physics I, and Statics? I feel like I am worrying about nothing, but that may just be me. Any advice for the class in general? ]]> Academic Guidance Baumer8993 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692835 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692811&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 01:09:33 GMT Does anyone know which areas of neuroengineering/computational neuroscience use the most signal processing? I already have an idea from browsing the... Does anyone know which areas of neuroengineering/computational neuroscience use the most signal processing? I already have an idea from browsing the web but I'd rather hear from those with exposure to the field. I am graduating in the Fall with a bachelors in EE with several electives plus research in signal processing. For graduate school, I am interested in pursuing any subdiscipline of neuroscience that draws on my background. Any suggestions? ]]> Academic Guidance PNGeng http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692811 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692803&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 00:22:27 GMT I am currently trying to self teach myself Algebra II and after I learn that I would like to move on to Trigonometry and so on. I was wondering what... I am currently trying to self teach myself Algebra II and after I learn that I would like to move on to Trigonometry and so on. I was wondering what are the best methods to try to learn math by yourself. Is there any book or something on the internet to help me with this endeavor. Any answer will help. Thank you. ]]> Academic Guidance Tyler133 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692803 http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692798&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 23:52:26 GMT I am graduating from high school soon, in three days actually, and I need just a bit of advice on where I should go to school to be a Physics... I am graduating from high school soon, in three days actually, and I need just a bit of advice on where I should go to school to be a Physics student. I live in Alabama and I'm in a position where I have to entirely pay for my college education, and because I did not do particularly well on the ACT, colleges aren't rushing to give me any money to attend their schools. I am pretty much stuck in state no matter what for my undergraduate education, and possibly will have to attend a CC. I am aware that Alabama is not famous for its rigorous academic institutions (though E.O. Wilson is from here!) and I am simply trying to get the best education possible.

So does anyone have a suggestion on which Physics program is best within the state of Alabama? ]]> Academic Guidance Mr. Ryan http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=692798