Recent content by jbrussell93

I think it depends on where you're doing your PhD as well. As Choppy said, some institutions will lump geophysics into the physics department, particularly in Europe. In the U.S. however, geophysics is almost always in a geology/earth science department which are typically much more lenient in...

I would agree that this is a very dangerous mindset to have. Speaking from experience, you are on a fast track to depression -- never let your work define who you are. Honestly, I'd be worried about your emotional stability through a graduate degree.

Wow, I feel like I'm listening to myself when I was in high school. I was basically going through the same thing, though I didn't discover my interest in physics until a bit later, the summer between my junior and senior year. At that point, I felt like an imposter when I told people I wanted to...

Even after taking Calculus, ODEs PDEs, and Linear Algebra along with upper level Electromagnetism and Mechanics I still felt that I didn't truly understand Griffiths beyond simply cranking through the math...

Are you looking to do experimental work?

Isn't that every mathematician's backup plan? :p

I really have to agree. I think it is important to have dreams and aspirations -- however, I also think choosing your major based on which one you think could potentially make you more famous is a oneway ticket to a very disappointing future. I don't know what else to say other than that, with...

If you can afford it, you might really consider the option of studying abroad in the U.S. where you have a lot more time to explore in undergrad. Allow me to give a bit of my story. I was in a very similar position leaving high school, not knowing whether I wanted to do engineering or physics...

It probably depends on many things: the degree you're after, the caliber of programs you're applying to, you're GPA, and research experience. Without knowing any of these things, we cannot help. And even knowing these things, we still cannot say for sure whether your scores are good enough...

It is so true! It's funny you say that because half of the seismology PhDs that come out of my program end up in oil anyway. As a seismologist you're doing the imaging part and then a geologist or petroleum geophysicist comes in and interprets it. I don't know who gets paid more but the...

I think I have some advice that might be useful. I also majored in physics with minors in math and (almost) geology and I'm working on a PhD in geophysics. I only graduated with 14 hours of geology credits (1 short for the minor) and haven't had any troubles adjusting. I also haven't had to take...

I was that skater punk high schooler who only cared about skating and nothing else. However, I was lucky enough to have a high school teacher who took me under his wing and really changed my perspective on science. He taught a summer bird research class which turned me into a total bird nerd and...

In my opinion, to study quantum mechanics successfully, all one needs is basic linear algebra, differential equations, and introductory physics (E&M/Mechanics). However, to UNDERSTAND quantum mechanics requires much more. As for what that means in terms of prerequisites, I cannot say as I...

If it were me, I would just stay in the EAES course as long as I knew I could manage it. I mean you've already put in a lot of work for the class I'm assuming, so might as well finish it... Personally, I also wouldn't want a W on my transcript either. If you thought you might fail the class...

PDE's!