World`s best physics Ph.D university

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the best universities for pursuing a Ph.D. in experimental physics, with a focus on American and European institutions. Participants also inquire about entrance examinations and eligibility requirements for admissions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the quality of a Ph.D. program is determined by the faculty and their alignment with the student's research interests.
  • There is a mention of prestigious institutions like Princeton, CalTech, and Stanford, with the caveat that the best choice depends on specific research interests.
  • One participant humorously notes that their future position as a professor would make their university the best for Ph.D. studies.
  • Another participant provides a list of top physics graduate schools according to a dated ranking, emphasizing that rankings can vary.
  • Some participants recommend technological schools for experimental/applied physics and theoretical schools for theoretical physics.
  • Cambridge University is mentioned as having a good reputation in physics, particularly in astrophysics, though its standing in experimental physics is questioned.
  • Questions arise about the process for transitioning from an American undergraduate program to a Ph.D. at Cambridge, with suggestions to check their admissions website.
  • Several participants inquire about entrance exams and eligibility requirements for international students, particularly from India.
  • There is a discussion about the necessity of publishing papers before applying for Ph.D. programs abroad.
  • Some participants note that larger public institutions often have strong experimental programs, while smaller colleges may excel in specific subfields.
  • One participant seeks clarification on whether to take the GRE general test, the GRE subject test in physics, or both for U.S. Ph.D. admissions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the best universities and programs, indicating that there is no consensus on a single "best" institution. The discussion reflects multiple competing views on the importance of faculty, research interests, and institutional reputation.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the variability in program quality based on specific fields of study and the differing reputations of institutions for various physics disciplines. There are also unresolved questions regarding the specific requirements for international applicants.

saiarun
Messages
34
Reaction score
0
undefinedundefined

Can anyone give the link to know the world`s best physics centres or university for doing Ph.D. in experimental physics. I want to do research in American or European university. I also want to know the related entrace examinations for admissions and their eligibity.
Thanking you in advance :smile:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It depends on the field. Basically the quality of a PhD program is going to be determined by the quality of the faculty, as you will do most of your learning (physics skills, not material) from them while working on your thesis. So it deepends on what field, because differenct universities have different porfessors working on different projects.
 
Well, if ever I choose to be a professor, wherever I'll be will become the best place to do a Ph. D. :biggrin:
 
From what I can tell so far, schools look good sure... Princeton, CalTech, etc, but your degree will mean much more to you if you get with a good supervisor who is interested in the same things you are. Doing cosmology at Princeton might look good, but if you really want to do micro black holes, then perhaps stanford or USCB would be better.
 
This is probably little or no help at all but according to the "Best Graduate Schools" of 2000 (Yes, I know laugh now) from US NEWS the top physics graduate schools are as follows:
1. CAL Tech 1. Stanford 3. Harvard 3. MIT 3. Princeton 3. Berkeley 7. Cornell
7. U of Chicago 9. U of Illinois 10. Columbia (NY) 10. Santa Barbara 10. Yale and so on . . . Ranked according to 5th graders all over Siberia.
 
If you are interested in experimental/applied physics, look to the technological schools; MIT,CalTech, etc. Theoretical I would lean towards Stanford or Princeton. lol that's some pretty high goals there, good luck in your endeavors.
 
I don't know how good Cambridge University (yes, England) is with experimental physics, but I know for a fact that it is good with areas such as astrophysics. Cambridge, as far as I know, has a good reputation with the entirety of physics, so I would assume that it would also do good with experimental physics.
 
Since you bring up Cambridge, what would be the process in going from an AMerican undergraduate university to a doctorate at Cambridge?
 
  • #10
university of Gent...

regards

marlon
 
  • #11
I am an Indian doing my Masters in physics in India. I want to know the entrance exams for entering into the university's in abroad. What are the eligibilty? Do we have to publish some paper before?
Thanking you in advance.
 
  • #12
franznietzsche said:
Since you bring up Cambridge, what would be the process in going from an AMerican undergraduate university to a doctorate at Cambridge?

I think it's probably the same as for someone who did their undergraduate in the UK. You have to fill in an application form with a research proposal and stuff, I think. Check the graduate admissions on their site for more info.
 
  • #13
I'm currently an undergraduate physics major in the U.S. Which place would you guys suggest as being the best place to get a PhD in astrophysics? Right now I'm looking at Columbia, University of San Diego, University of Arizona, University of Illinois, and Renslauer.
 
  • #14
Princeton, Caltech.

Bahcall is at Princeton, one of the big heads in the field.

Thorne is at Caltech, leader in black hole/wormhole theory.
 
  • #15
saiarun said:
I am an Indian doing my Masters in physics in India. I want to know the entrance exams for entering into the university's in abroad. What are the eligibilty? Do we have to publish some paper before?
Thanking you in advance.

r u in IIT by any chance?
 
  • #16
  • #17
It completely depends on the field. Generally larger public institutions have good experimental programs

Ex University of California, Michigan, Virginia, Chicago.

The Ivy Leagues are known for their theory departments, but obviously you can't go wrong.

In general, a smaller college will pick one subfield and specialize in it with several proffessors/postdocs working. So sometimes its the unknown names that have the best subfield programs in the world.
 
  • #18
Hi jai6638, I am not an IITian. I want to know whether we have to write G.R.E(general test)
""or"" Advanced G.R.E(subject test) for physics ""or"" both for getting into Ph.D in U.S.A.
Can anyone help me?
Thanking u in advance
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
23
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K