Can I get a Ph.D. in physics if my bachelor's degree isn't in physics

G01

I agree. I just found this linked in another thread. This was really useful information, even for those of us already in physics who want to go to grad school!

Troponin

very interesting

spb

This thread, and this post in particular, is incredibly helpful.

If I did a dual degree in EE and Physics, how helpful would the EE be in graduate school for Physics? Would the EE degree turn out to be an extra year of undergrad for a just-in-case option?

Also, sticky.

ZapperZ

Your EE degree will be extremely useful to go long with your physics degree in your graduate studies, especially if you intend on being an experimentalist. In particular, the area of device physics, detector physics, and accelerator physics would SWALLOW people with your background, because in these areas, knowledge of electronics, EM-fields, etc. are such in demand.

Depending on what area of EE you specialized in at your undergrad level, or if you have any inclination in studying EM fields in various structures and geometry, try looking into accelerator physics, especially RF structures. Such skills are not only employable in accelerator physics after you graduate, but there are so many companies out there looking for people with that skill and background.

Zz.

Urmi Roy

Hi everyone,

From the last thread that ZapperZ put in,it seems that I can safely conclude that I,after doing my four year course on Mechanical Engineering, can opt for post graduate degree in Physics..is that right?

Now,in the mean time,(since I'm really interested in theoretical physics,and I took up an Engineering undergraduate Course just because my parents forced me to ),I can try to build up my Physics foundations enough by reading some extra material on basic concepts of Physics like mechanics,optics etc by going through books like..perhaps the Feynman's lectures on Physics? Would that be a good way to make myself ready for my post graduate course in Physics?(I thought that in this way,I could develop a strong mathematical base by doing my Engineering course and at the same time I could do Physics in detail.)

By the way,since I'm living in India,please could you advise me according to the possibilities I have in this particular country?

ZapperZ

Where exactly did I say that? And did you even read the entire thread at all?

Zz.

Urmi Roy

Sorry,I thought that since spb had done a course in EE,and you said that one could do Physics in graduate school after EE,and that the EE course would be helpful,I thought the same could apply to Mechanical Engineering.

Anyway,could you please provide some information as to what I could do,as I'm in need for some expert advice?

ZapperZ

You need to read VERY carefully what spb wrote: "If I did a dual degree in EE and Physics...."

In other words, he has a degree in BOTH EE AND physics!

Zz.

Urmi Roy

Then ZapperZ,what do you suggest me to do,if I want to pursue research in Physics?

Are you definitely saying that I cannot do MSc in Physics after B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering?

If I not,what degree can I take to become a lecturer of Physics? ( If I do M.Tech after B.Tech,can I take a course in Phd. that will allow me to teach Physics?)

I just can't find anyone around to properly guide me.... pleeeease help!

ZapperZ

I'm sure you'll understand if my patience is running rather thin right now with this, because you seem to be comprehending something that I haven't said!

Have you read (and understood), what I wrote in Post #1, 7, 9, and 13? Only YOU can determine if you're well-prepared to do graduate work in physics. Not me. That is the WHOLE POINT of this thread!

Zz.

TMFKAN64

Actually, ZapperZ already said exactly what you need to do in his first post!

In my case, "so-and-so" was computer science, and after a year, I was definitely ready for an MS program in physics.

kbaumen

Nice thread. I'm studying Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and am having doubts all the time if this was the right choice. The course is interesting, but I feel like physics what I should have chosen.

Urmi Roy

Right...I think I get the message!

Vankha

This thread is making me think more and more about engineering (as if I ever stopped)....i'll continue tapping my fingers nervously as I keep reading this post..

sronen71

Hi,
I'd think it is quite feasible to go to a post-grad degree in physics with a BS in EE or other degrees that require/demonstrate strong quantitative skills. There are big areas of overlap between physics and engineering, physics and chemistry and physics and biology. Just for example, in MIT there is a professor of physics that is interested in wireless power transfer, and there is a collaboration on this between the physics and engineering departments. I think it is important to realize that unlike undergraduate studies, your grad school experience will vastly depend on your chosen specialization and supervisor (at least for PhD, less so for MS), So it can be good to look at some researchers profiles on the web and try to contact them by email. Your skills and background may be just what some professor is looking for. She/he may help you to understand your chances to get into school, and maybe even help.
Of course, perhaps you really want to change direction, e.,g, you have BS in EE but would like to do research in string theory, then frankly I think this would be very difficult. But who know,
Ed Witten had his bachelor degree in history with a minor in linguistics. He went on to do a PhD in physics in Harvard and become the most cited physicist of all times. Of course, he is a genius and such a path is really a super freak thing. But switching from a natural science or math degree seems realistic.

ZapperZ

It is rather misleading to cite unusual exceptions as "proof". This gives the wrong impression that such a thing can be done, and done often. It isn't.

I've had a couple of physics professors who came from EE undergraduate background. So certainly it is doable to come from relatively close background and do a Ph.D in physics. But again, look at the qualifying exam and figure out if, based on your degree, are you able to get through right away without taking remedial courses?

The tests I've listed removed the original question from being simply a matter of opinion to something that has a concrete self-evaluation. It is now no longer purely anecdotal, but an actual "experiment".

Zz.

twofish-quant

Not all. The astronomy department at UT Austin doesn't have qualifiers and replaces them with a second year project and presentation.