Recent content by Ryan007

I know this question has been asked by others before, but: I did poorly on the math part of the general GRE. I got a 160 (78%). I actually did better on the verbal (161, 87%)! I just ran out of time because I took too long on some problems. I did practice tests and did fine on them, but I...

@ Arsenic&Lace: Ah yes, the hand-waviness. This comes in many forms. Physics by its nature isn't 100% accurate, and that's not what I'm aiming for. But some take this to mean that they don't have to be mathematically rigorous. In the course of my research, I came across blatant but not...

In the process of looking up the UK schools that you suggested, I realized the differences between UK/US systems. I had to look up the terms "taught/untaught programme", "1st class", "mathematical tripos", etc. Realistically, it would be very difficult to have debt and live off a student...

Thanks for the advice/info. My undergrad GPA was ~3.8 and my master's GPA was ~3.6 (lowered due to some B's that I got in the upper division math classes that I took). I did a pretty good research thesis in theoretical solid state physics. I may publish something based on it soon. I like...

Speaking of schools, should I even bother to apply to places like Oxford? I think they would send me an email warning me not to apply, before I even push the "send" button!

Thanks for the info. I've seen this program before, but upon a second look it seems pretty good. The advantage of a official degree program in mathematical physics is the recognition by the advisors that one's research straddles both fields. On the other hand, a program that is 100% pure...

No new ideas.

I have a master's in physics. I'm looking at PhD programs, but I really don't want to take the same courses over and take comprehensive exams (or the damn GRE). I managed to squeeze in a few math classes before I finished. I would like to do research in physics, but from a more math-heavy...

Thanks! Oh duh! I didn't realize that the 2 equations were the same. That's why I was getting x=0 and y=0 as solutions. I had to multiply through by the appropriate constant to make the 2 equations look the same.

Homework Statement I can calculate the proper eigenvalues, but when I plug them back into the matrix, I get x1=0 and x2=0. But this is not the answer Maple gives me! How do I solve for the eigenvector when it appears that a zero vector is the only solution? Homework Equations For...

I'm currently reviewing the last chapter of griffiths e&m (relativity) in preparation for griffiths elementary particles. I've chosen to do particle physics for my master's thesis. I've got total brain fog. I had never studied particle physics before, so reading the first 2 chapters was...

Has anyone had any experience with a graduate E&M class that didn't use Jackson? Is Jackson necessary? I have it at home and it's a very difficult read and the problems are impossible. I have other E&M books and I can actually learn E&M from them. My grad E&M class (master's program)...

Since I was a kid I was always interested in the the energy/environment/climate change problem. I wanted to research in fusion or other alternative energy sources. I would love to do research at CERN. But the reality is, there are so few jobs for physicists in alternative energy or HEP. The...

I'm currently a master's student in physics. I really don't want to go on to a phd. I feel that in order to be a better physicist, I need more math training. I didn't do a math double major as an undergrad, and now I wish I did. How much would I get out of a math degree? Is someone with two...