Theoretical Physics in Grad school

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the qualifications and academic background of an imaginary candidate, referred to as Smith, who aspires to apply for graduate school in Theoretical Physics at a prestigious institution like MIT. Participants explore the implications of Smith's degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and Physics, as well as his minor in Mathematics, on his application prospects. The conversation touches on the importance of specific coursework, GRE performance, and research experience in the context of graduate admissions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Smith's BA in Physics may not hinder his chances of admission compared to candidates with a BS in Physics, especially given his MA in ECE.
  • Others argue that the specific differences between a BA and BS in Physics, which can vary by institution, are crucial to consider.
  • There is a discussion about the importance of certain courses, such as Thermodynamics, Quantum Theory, and Advanced Experimental Techniques, which Smith has not taken and may be significant for his application.
  • Some participants recommend that Smith should learn Quantum Physics as it is relevant to his interest in theoretical high energy research.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential disadvantage Smith might face in theoretical high energy physics due to his lack of coursework in Quantum Physics.
  • One participant notes that a strong GRE score and a solid understanding of the material could compensate for missing courses.
  • There is a suggestion that students often pursue degrees in engineering as a backup before committing to physics graduate studies.
  • Participants discuss the challenges of switching from a BA to a BS in Physics due to additional course requirements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the impact of Smith's academic background on his graduate school applications. While some believe his qualifications are sufficient, others emphasize the importance of specific coursework and research experience, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the variability in degree requirements and the significance of individual coursework, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation in graduate admissions, without reaching a consensus on the implications for Smith's situation.

UrbanXrisis
Messages
1,192
Reaction score
1
Say an imaginary person named Smith wanted to go to MIT (or some renowned university) for grad school in Theoretical Physics. He finishes college in 5 years earning him a MA/BS ECE degree (electrical and computer engineering) as well as a Physics BA and a minor in Mathematics. He begins to work for Intel designing microprocessors and doing CPU architecture design. Meanwhile, he applies for MIT as a theory student. Smith’s gotten fairly good grades (say... 3.5 GPA), did decently well on the GRE. Do you think that MIT would reject Smith because he only got a BA in physics? As in, will the BA be insufficient so that Smith will be less qualified than someone with a BS in physics? Smith however did get a MA in 5 years in ECE. Any comments?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
UrbanXrisis said:
Say an imaginary person named Smith wanted to go to MIT (or some renowned university) for grad school in Theoretical Physics. He finishes college in 5 years earning him a MA/BS ECE degree (electrical and computer engineering) as well as a Physics BA and a minor in Mathematics. He begins to work for Intel designing microprocessors and doing CPU architecture design. Meanwhile, he applies for MIT as a theory student. Smith’s gotten fairly good grades (say... 3.5 GPA), did decently well on the GRE. Do you think that MIT would reject Smith because he only got a BA in physics? As in, will the BA be insufficient so that Smith will be less qualified than someone with a BS in physics? Smith however did get a MA in 5 years in ECE. Any comments?

:-p :bugeye: a BA in physics, a BS and MA in ECE and a math minor?? wow...

Anyway, I would say Smith has a decent chance at MIT, depending on how decent he did on the GRE, how much undergraduate research he has done and the quality and quantity of his letters of recommendation. A great application statement doesn't hurt either.

Also, Smith should look in his college's course catalog to see what exactly the difference is between the BA and BS in physics. If he did go to MIT, he would likely have to take a couple catch up courses to get up to speed, but nothing too bad I am sure. :biggrin:
 
So really, a BA in physics wouldn't hinder Smith's goal to enter a good grad school for Theoretical Physics compared to someone with a BS in physics? (considering that Smith has the MA/BS in ECE)
 
UrbanXrisis said:
So really, a BA in physics wouldn't hinder Smith's goal to enter a good grad school for Theoretical Physics compared to someone with a BS in physics? (considering that Smith has the MA/BS in ECE)

It depends on WHAT the difference is between two degrees, which varies from school to school, what other research you've done, how you did on the GRE, and your letters of recommendation...
 
there is a 4 course difference.
Missing out on:

Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Quantum Theory
Advanced Experimental Techniques
Intro Condensed Matter Physics

are these important courses that will be useful into getting accepted into theory physics?
 
What kind of "theory" is Smith looking to do (which might be featured in Smith's essay)? Is it in one of the courses listed above? If Smith wants to do theory, I'd suggest that Smith learn Quantum ASAP.
 
Smith is looking at doing theoretical high energy research
 
In my opinion, for theoretical HEP, Smith is at a [slight?] disadvantage by not having taken Quantum.

Smith should start trying to study at least the first of these and be aware of the remaining
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-04Quantum-Physics-ISpring2003/Syllabus/index.htm (note the Download this Course link)
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-05Quantum-Physics-IIFall2002/Syllabus/index.htm
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-06Quantum-Physics-IIISpring2003/Syllabus/index.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
admit it, urban...

SMITH IS YOU! :biggrin:
 
  • #10
Brad Barker said:
admit it, urban...

SMITH IS YOU! :biggrin:

haha :smile:

Brad, I am not Smith, however, I might be in Smith's position in the future

I still have not started college yet! :-p
 
  • #11
UrbanXrisis said:
haha :smile:

Brad, I am not Smith, however, I might be in Smith's position in the future

I still have not started college yet! :-p


well, if you are really committed to theoretical physics...then why not just major in physics in college?
 
  • #12
Brad Barker said:
well, if you are really committed to theoretical physics...then why not just major in physics in college?

Well, a lot of people like to have something to fall back o so they go for an EE degree of something before going to grad school in physics...but in Smith's case, he got both a BA in physics and a BA/MA in EE. So, why not just switch the BA to a BS in physics? There might be a little less overlap between a BS in physics and a BS in EE, but not much less...
 
  • #13
Also, could you post the course desciption of the advanced experimental techniques course?

the other 3 courses you'd be missing are all pretty damned important for physics graduate school. MAYBE you can teach yourself those topics if you're smart, because you will need to know about them to do well on the GRE, and pass the qualifier.
 
  • #14
leright said:
Well, a lot of people like to have something to fall back o so they go for an EE degree of something before going to grad school in physics...but in Smith's case, he got both a BA in physics and a BA/MA in EE. So, why not just switch the BA to a BS in physics? There might be a little less overlap between a BS in physics and a BS in EE, but not much less...

Leright, that's exactly what Smith was thinking before he went to college. However, Smith's college has humanities and social science courses that has to be taken as well. Fitting four more courses might prove to be difficult. There is only one overlap course in either BA or BS physics that can be used for ECE
 
  • #15
leright said:
Also, could you post the course desciption of the advanced experimental techniques course?

"Students work in pairs and each team is expected to do three or four experiments from a variety of available setups such as Berry's phase with light,Universal chaos, lifetime of cosmic ray muons, optical pumping, electron diffraction's etc. This is a hands-on laboratory with most experiments under computer control."

leright said:
the other 3 courses you'd be missing are all pretty damned important for physics graduate school. MAYBE you can teach yourself those topics if you're smart, because you will need to know about them to do well on the GRE, and pass the qualifier.

Thanks for the advice leright.
 
  • #16
UrbanXrisis said:
"Students work in pairs and each team is expected to do three or four experiments from a variety of available setups such as Berry's phase with light,Universal chaos, lifetime of cosmic ray muons, optical pumping, electron diffraction's etc. This is a hands-on laboratory with most experiments under computer control."



Thanks for the advice leright.

If you do well on the GRE and show that you know the material even though you didn't take the classes, then you're ok I would think. I'm only an undergraduate right now, so don't rely too heavily on my advice!
 
  • #17
Let me guess: University of Rochester. :-p
 
  • #18
leright said:
Well, a lot of people like to have something to fall back o so they go for an EE degree of something before going to grad school in physics...but in Smith's case, he got both a BA in physics and a BA/MA in EE. So, why not just switch the BA to a BS in physics? There might be a little less overlap between a BS in physics and a BS in EE, but not much less...

job security, shmob shmemurity. :-p
 

Similar threads

Other Physics PhD after working for few years
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
What are the best universities for a theoretical particle physics MSc?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
5K
Preparing for Physics Grad School after Math/Comp Sci undergrad
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Admissions Grad schools acceptance with a low GPA
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Admissions Graduating a year early anxieties + grad school
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Schools Is a top physics grad school possible with a lower tier undergrad?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
Admissions How Can I Overcome Limited Research Experience for Grad School in Physics?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Admissions Grad School Admissions: Which do I Bother With?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Admissions Feedback for my grad school SOP for theoretical particle physics
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Admissions Safety School Programs for a Physics PhD
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K