What is Undergrad: Definition and 908 Discussions

Undergraduate education is education conducted after secondary education and prior to postgraduate education. It typically includes all postsecondary programs up to the level of a bachelor's degree. For example, in the United States, an entry-level university student is known as an undergraduate, while students of higher degrees are known as graduate students. In some other educational systems, undergraduate education is postsecondary education up to the level of a master's degree; this is the case for some science courses in Britain and some medicine courses in Europe.

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  1. B

    Question about Berkeley Undergrad Physics Course

    Hi there everyone! This is my first post on the forum and maybe it will be somewhat significant now that I feel like I am finally beginning my career studying physics. So I will be attending UC Berkeley this fall as an incoming freshman and I am debating on taking 7A vs H7A my first semester. I...
  2. P

    Chem undergrad thinking of doing masters in chem engineering

    Hello, I'm new here and this is my first thread - apologies if I seem forward with my questioning, I really just want some opinions on my issue from people other than friends and family. I've recently finished my second year of undergraduate chemistry, and have received numerous recommendations...
  3. Dishsoap

    Schools What to do in the summer between undergrad and grad school?

    Greetings fellow PFers, I am a rising senior in undergrad (physics) and am preparing to apply for graduate school for next year. My undergrad institution does not have many graduates that go on to graduate school so I'm in a bit of a pickle as far as advice on this matter goes. I've read some...
  4. obstinatus

    Seeking general undergrad advice

    Background: Undergraduate majoring in physics to work in research, hopefully in astrophysics or cosmology. 1.5-2 years behind where I should be academically and (if all goes well) about to start courses relevant to major. My questions are these: 1) How should I study basic mathematics...
  5. J

    Engineering From Civil Engineering undergrad to Physics grad

    Hello,i am an undergraduate Civil Engineering student.When i finish my undergrad studies i want to pursue a masters degree in Physics(my ultimate goal is to get a PhD in Physics).Due to limitations in money i couldn't drop out of civil engineering and pursue an undergrad degree in Physics,so i...
  6. 2

    E&M, RF/Microwaves: How important after EE undergrad?

    Hello, Apologies for the squished title. Basically, I'm wondering how important E&M and RF/microwaves will be once I obtain my BSEE and search for my first job. I did some research on the forum already and people said that these skills are 'in demand,' and I just wanted more clarification on...
  7. T

    Complementary self-studies during my undergrad

    I've just made it through my freshman physics year (covering introductory Linear algebra, Mechanics, Single- and multivariable calculus, Thermodynamics, Wave Theory, and Scientific computing). Due to some health issues, I am essentially unable to attend lectures, but I am, to be frank, a gifted...
  8. O

    Undergrad in Germany or $152,000 in the US?

    Hello and other pleasantries Physics forum fellows, I have an interesting dilemma that hopefully your experience could help me solve. I am a recently graduated International Baccalaureate student and I now have the choice to face either $152,000 of debt at the University of Illinois Urbana...
  9. O

    Advice Needed: AeroE vs. Comp. Sci. Undergrad.

    Hey everyone, I am new to the forums, so I'll take a second to introduce myself. My name is Michael. I am 26 years old, and had a delayed start into college because simply put, I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life other than make money. Ironically, this isn't my goal anymore. I want a...
  10. Ani

    Programs EE Undergrad Considering Minor/Major Physics (?)

    I'm about to start my EE Undergrad at the University of Washington. I'm planning my future concentration to be in robotic-prosthesis. I'm considering either majoring or minoring in Physics and I'm wondering if this is worth it. Although, I love Physics, I don't know if it's worth my time (or if...
  11. I

    Admissions US undergrad applying for Cambridge Math Part III

    Hello all, I'm currently planning to apply to Cambridge Math Part III. My questions: (1) What should I do to improve my chance to be admitted? (Basic information attached below) (2) How helpful would this program be for application to PhD programs? (I'm aiming for top US programs, you know...
  12. Lucas1993

    Self-learning math before physics undergrad.

    I must say at first that my English is not that good. If that's important to state, i am living in Brazil, waiting currently to start my Physics college in the next seven months. My question is pretty simple: What is good to learn before starting college, in terms of Math and Physics itself? I...
  13. B

    High Resolution Upper Division Undergrad Math lecture videos

    I'm interested in watching videos of Real Analysis lectures etc. in good quality resolution. Those Harvey Mudd College lectures are valuable but annoying re video quality. Thanks. - Blue
  14. A

    Does the school I graduate from matter?

    OK so I currently attend The University of North Texas, which is by no means a prestigious school for physics. I am a physics major with 72 hours of coursework under my belt. I plan to attend graduate school and would like to get into a good school for something in the realm of theoretical...
  15. B

    Retired and looking for low cost Physics Undergrad

    Hello, I retired Last year and have been traveling for a year now. I have decided I would like to go back to school and study Physics or Cosmology. I am looking for a physics undergraduate program that is "low cost", in English and in an area with a cost of living that is affordable for someone...
  16. Entangled Cat

    Which mathematics courses would you recommend?

    As a quick continuation of the question...what mathematics courses would you (preferably PhD or pursuing a PhD currently) recommend for an undergraduate? I'm interested in high energy/particle physics (I'm working in a lab this summer so we'll see how that goes) and cosmology (no actual...
  17. Caveman

    Is Undergraduate Prestige Crucial for Getting into Top Graduate Programs?

    Hey folks, I'm a junior in high school, and I was wondering some things (and I don't have lots of knowledge in how this all works, so please point out any false ideas I have about anything in the whole college process): First, how critical is the prestige of the undergraduate if I want to get...
  18. L

    How to get work/TA-like experience while an undergrad?

    I have just finished my second year of my undergrad in biomedical physics, and I am just wondering what would be a good approach to go about getting some work experience in physics (maybe something similar to a TA, but obviously not working towards a master's in physics..yet). I feel as though...
  19. Ritzycat

    Undergrad student loans for PhD

    Hi friends I am a high school student and I'll be going into college next year. I will likely be attending Grinnell College, with the initial intent of majoring in physics. (I do not need the talk of possibly changing interests, I realize that; I am planning for all possible outcomes) It is of...
  20. B

    Admissions Defer Grad Admission for more Undergrad Time?

    So I have been admitted to my first choice grad program in physics. However, I am worried about job security after my PhD, and was thinking of staying an extra semester or year at my undergrad institution to pick up a double major in CS. I already have 3/4 of the major (via applied maths...
  21. M

    Physics Struggles? Don't Give Up!: Worried Physics Student

    I am currently a physics undergrad and I thought I was good at physics. In high school I was pretty proficient in physics and got good grades without studying. My first semester in college I got 2 C's (in calc and physics) but that was because I did not study a lot. This semester I thought I was...
  22. P

    Sources of funding for undergrad summer research

    Hey guys, I found summer work with a post-doc in my University. I will be working with him on a side project that he's had an interest in for some time, but could only start it this coming summer because of lack of time. However, because he's only a post-doc (and I only got the position by...
  23. C

    2D kinematics question (2nd year of undergrad level.)

    Homework Statement An automotive test track forms a curve in the horizontal xy plane specified by y(x) =γx^3 / 2 where γ = 0.2 m^-1/2 and x ≥ 0 . A car moves along the track, starting at rest at the origin at time t = 0 , and picking up speed in accordance with v = ct , where c = 4.8 m s^-2 ...
  24. A

    Engineering Stuck between engineering or doing math+business for undergrad

    Im 17 senior year high school in india. I want to study applied math and business for undergraduate in university. Is it possible doing both at the same time? I want to do my undergrads from us most probably. I've also taken physics,chem, math in high school as my main subjects. I haven't taken...
  25. L

    Cornell, UC Santa Barbara, UChicago or Columbia for Undergrad Physics

    My son was accepted at Cornell, the University of Chicago, UC Santa Barbara, and possibly Columbia for the undergraduate program in physics. He is also waiting to hear from the UC Santa Barbara College of Creative Studies program. We feel very honored to be accepted in these programs and are...
  26. I

    Perimeter institute 2015 summer undergrad program

    Hey, I am from UC Berkeley. I wonder if anyone here has applied to perimeter institute's 2015 summer program. I've applied but haven't heard back from them yet. I wonder if anybody here has got a reply.
  27. C

    To what extent do subfields matter for an undergrad choice?

    I am about to take part in an undergraduate recruiting event at my school, and prospective undergraduates were invited to ask questions to current students of the school. One such prospective undergraduate claimed that he crossed one school off his list because that school only did condensed...
  28. R

    Physics undergrad research woes

    Hey everyone, I'm currently into my second semester of a physics B.S with a math minor. After a poorly planned dabble in a chemistry double major and some mental health issues, I left last semester with a 3.1 GPA, and it likely won't get much better after this semester either. Grad school has...
  29. hideelo

    Should I do undergrad experimental research if my goal is theoretical physics?

    I'm currently an undergraduate double majoring in physics and math and hoping to go into theoretical physics. It seems to me that there is very little I can do now in terms of research on theoretical physics, simply because of the knowledge required (please correct me if I'm wrong). I can get...
  30. DrPapper

    Classical Help me Find a Undergrad Version of this book please

    I'm taking a course in undergraduate classical mechanics (not the freshman version). I'm reading this book and it seems like it would be great to someone who already has a BS in math and wants to now study physics, but for me I can't wade through all the math language fast enough to keep up with...
  31. A

    Building my resume as a 2nd year undergrad

    I am a second year physics undergrad at UCSB with a decent gpa (3.65). I am wondering if anyone here has any suggestions of things I should get involved with to improve my resume for future research/internships. As of now I do not have much of anything to put on a resume, besides non-physics...
  32. N

    Programs Essential classes for physics major?

    Hello, I'm not yet at the University level, but I was just wondering what core (meaning physics and math) classes are important for someone going into physics. Some background on my education thus far, I took Algebra 1 in 7th grade, Geometry in 8th, algebra 2 in 9th, doubled up on math in 10th...
  33. C

    Introductory textbooks for Supersymmetry?

    Hi everyone, As of late I've been really wanting to push on with my interest in particle Physics by tackling the rather daunting theoretical model that we call supersymmetry. However, to put it simply, I'm not entirely sure where to start! There's so many different textbooks on the subject out...
  34. B

    Not sure where my research interests lie in undergrad?

    Hello, I am currently studying astrophysics in my undergrad. I am concerned with the fact that I do not know what field I want to explore during grad school yet. I am in my junior year and will probably finish my undergrad in five years due to double majoring in math as well. I realize I have...
  35. P

    Is it Worth Taking Graduate Courses as an Undergrad?

    Hi guys, I hope you are having a wonderful evening. Since summer, I took great amount of course work, and resulted in having myself pretty far ahead in the curriculum. I should be able to take a graduate course next semester. If things go as planned, I should have graduate level theoretical...
  36. hgducharme

    Physics vs. Engineering undergrad for industry aspirations?

    First, I would like to thank in advance to anybody who takes the time to read this and provide any feedback. Your help is greatly appreciated! I’m a first year undergrad and my passion is studying physics. I find myself 95% of the time looking up things that pertain to physics & science rather...
  37. C

    Schools Electrical engineering undergrad to physics grad school?

    I am an electrical engineering undergrad student just finishing my first year. I have a love of physics and I was starting to wonder if it would be possible for me to stay in EE undergrad but change to physics for grad school. Is there enough physics in EE that I could make the switch?
  38. cryora

    What should I be doing now as a 3rd year undergrad?

    I'm a Physics major and am starting on my early major courses (Classical Mechanics and E&M, and an Abstract Algebra course as an elective). I've already taken an upper div Linear Algebra course and a Math Methods course (though the latter, which covered topics in Linear Algebra, Fourier...
  39. Mr. Bitters

    How does 1st/2nd year undergrad labs compare to real research?

    i'm not sure if this is the best place to post this so if its in the wrong place I'm sorry and ill try to move iti've always loved physics. I've never been good at much of anything except math and science. Never could play an instrument worth a damn, zero athletic ability, and so forth, but math...
  40. duran9987

    27 year old Physics undergrad needing advice

    Have a personal question for those familiar with the field. I am an "older than usual" undergrad student who is very interested in physics. At 27 years old I have fallen in love with understanding the world through physics and mathematics. I will be declaring myself a physics major this...
  41. M

    What Should I Do Next? Exploring Career Options for Physics Graduates

    hello again, I am a physics undergrad finishing my last year, will graduate by the end of may... I am SO LOST and have no clue what I'm going to do next, mainly because in my country (Lebanon) physicists are limited to working at schools as teachers... This is something that i wouldn't enjoy...
  42. Jadenee

    Research experience for non-US undergrad?

    Just finished freshmen year of university, and I would really like to have some research experience at one point before graduation. Well, I should not have much problem getting into my school's research lab since professors here are always asking us to consider joining their lab. And I would...
  43. H

    100+ hour weeks as an undergrad -- abnormal?

    So, in college I did Applied Math. and Neuroscience. Each requires about 50 hours a week (for me at least). So, 50 x 2 = 100 hours + 10 hours of volunteering in a lab. So yeah, I'd often put in 110 hour weeks for 3 months straight...semester after semester. I did well, but it was horrific...
  44. S

    APS Meetings - General or Undergrad Session?

    I hope this is the appropriate thread (I am a new user)--I figured any thread may be full of people who attend the APS meetings. I did a summer REU program, and my advisors want me to submit an abstract to the APS April meeting. I just found out there is an undergraduate session, but that...
  45. M

    Upper-tier undergrad offering merit-based scholarships?

    Hello, Physics Forums! I currently a high school junior in the US, and I plan on majoring in physics. Finances are a concern for me, since I don't qualify for financial aid, but won't be receiving any help from my parents. As a result, the very highest schools like MIT are out of the question...
  46. A

    Career advice for a Swedish undergrad physics student

    I'm a Swedish undergrad physics student who needs help to decide on possible career paths. I've read a lot of the threads here in Career Guidance, and it has been very helpful but some questions remain. I have thought a lot about what I want and why, and also what I don't want, but since I don't...
  47. B

    Do You Need Undergrad Degree in X to Pursue MS/PhD in X?

    If you wish to pursue a graduate degree in X, do you have to have an undergraduate degree in X? I read that one of the greatest physicists living today - Ed Witten - was a history major and linguistics minor prior to going to graduate school at Princeton for applied math (after which he...
  48. C

    Shoud I take Ring/Field Theory or Complex Analysis?

    Having just finished an introductory course on group theory (with some bits of ring and field theory), I am completely enthralled with this type of math. I initially planned on taking Complex Analysis next semester since so many people say it's "useful" for physics (this was also a compromise...
  49. M

    What should I review for grad school in physics?

    I graduated with a BS in physics about 15 years ago and am considering applying to grad school in physics. My plan is to review the undergrad curriculum with the following: Classical Mechanics - Taylor E&M - Griffiths QM - Griffiths Any recommendations on other basic subjects necessary for...
  50. L

    Tips for working while pursuing an undergrad?

    I just transferred to a 4 year university from a community college. I got all of my gen. ed and core engineering classes out of the way at the community college while working 28 hours a week. It was a challenging balance, but I managed just fine. The difference now is not so much the difficulty...
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