Graduate Definition and 1000 Threads

Hi guys, this is my first time posting on this forum. My question is about choosing a graduate program to study. I'm a double math and CS major and to be quite honest and I'm not 100% sure on what i would like in a career. What i do know is that i have 0% interest in being a professor or...

Hello everyone, I'm a first time poster and I just want to say this forum is great. Every time I have a question Physics Forums is the first site to answer it. So lately I have been really struggling in my Discrete Mathematics I course at my university. This is one of the few times in...

So, I am going into my final year of a physics degree in a pretty reputable university, and some of my former marks were not up to the 3.0 standard (EDIT: a lot of my former marks were not nearly up to the 3.0 standard), although I am hoping that my last year marks, if I choose to go into it...

Hi, I've been trying to find a list somewhere of some of the better HEP graduate programs in the US. I can't find anything specific to HEP though. Does anyone know where I may be able to find this information (online)? I know the some of the more prestigious schools have some of the...

My to-the-point question: If I were to pick between rigour-based real analysis, rigour-based complex analysis or linear programming/optimization, which one would be the most beneficial for pursuing graduate studies in communication systems? My mathematical background: - All the typical EE...

I'll be finishing my AA in December and transferring to a four year university in January. I currently work full time and will be doing so while working towards my Bachelor's (majoring in Physics and minoring in Computer Science). What I would like to know is if it is possible (feasible) to...

Looking for some practical advice on adjusting my class schedule. As it stands, I can graduate this year (although I would be taking 18 credits a semester) with a degree in Physics and a minor in Math. My physics degree is still a B.S, however graduating this year would have me miss out on a...

I will be starting a PhD (if all goes well) at the age of 26. I know this is not much older than the average, but how much do graduate admissions (particularly at top programs) see students that did not have the standard "4 year bachelors out of high school to PhD" route? For some reason I...

Hi all, I am majoring in electrical engineering as an undergrad student and minoring in economics. I want to go to graduate school to study economics. During my undergrads shall I write papers/do research in economics or will that in engineering be fine too considering graduate admissions in...

Hello, I am a computer science graduate with a good command of mathematics. However, I have been highly attracted towards theoretical physics in the last few years. Is there anyway I can join graduate programs in theoretical physics? If so, how should I plan to achieve this?

What is a good graduate school for physics?

It just so happens that my school does not offer an engineering major or even a physics major (I have to take physics classes at a nearby school). I'm currently majoring in math and chemistry. I have wondered whether or not I should transfer to a great ChemE school so I could pursue my...

Graduate School: Can I get in? -- Thinking about going back to Math Hi, I have been pondering some kind of PhD program in mathematics, and I have a couple questions. So, first, knowing my background might be nice. I graduated from a small, mid-level liberal arts college with a major in...

I was diagnosed with moderate/severe ADD when I was a child but due to health concerns my parents chose not to put me on medication. They also erroneously believed that ADD was something that could be overcome with willpower, something I learned is not true. I attended the University of...

Hello all, I'm a Senior in undergrad physics. I want to teach my sister physics as well as prepare for the GRE this summer. What are solid introductions both mathematically and conceptually concise? I am thinking of Physics: Concepts and Connections (5th Edition) by Art Hobson before I...

Hello, this is my first time to post to ask for some advice. I will try to describe as neat as possible, so that I can some good info or advice. I graduated 2 years ago with bachelor of science in biology as major and applied physics as minor. Now I'm hoping to get into graduate school in...

I am just curious as to why people drop out of graduate school.

It seems common that people say you shouldn't pay for graduate school. Besides the financial burden, are there any other reasons why this is the case? I am just curious. Thank you!

I know that undergraduate research is extremely helpful for graduate school, but how about research that was done in a field not directly related to what you're hoping to go to graduate school for? I'm looking at applying to PhD programs in Material Science/Materials Engineering this fall and...

Help me decide when to graduate So my situation is a little odd and I'm having trouble on deciding when to graduate from college. I'm going into my senior year at a mid level public university with an okay gpa (cumulative 3.5, math 3.6) interested in going to grad school for applied math...

I am going to graduate soon of a 5 year long major. The major was a general engineering with specialization in nuclear engineering. Now I have to look for a job, but I don't know exactly what to look for. Should I look for jobs in the nuclear field, or try to broaden the search and look for...

I will be heading into my 2nd semester of junior year as a mathematics major. I am curious about grad studies and how to prepare or to discover if i am capable of such a rigorous course. the video below is ment for humor but i believe the advise coould still be solid. a funny video on...

Hi, I just finished my second year of mathematics undergraduate program from a well known institution in India(Indian Statistical Institute).Next year I will be applying for mathematics graduate programs in US. My overall percentage is 90 which translates to 3.6 in GPA and my average in...

Hello, I would like some recommendations on universities that have nuclear engg. graduate programs that specialize in design and analysis of GEN IV reactors. My professors have recommended the following: 1. Michigan 2. Penn State 3. MIT 4. North Carolina State Any info regarding grad...

To give a bit of my background, I am a junior double majoring in mathematics and philosophy aiming for a Ph.D. in pure mathematics. Recently, I wrote a paper for a philosophy class that was extremely well-received by my professor, so much that he encouraged me to submit it for possible...

If I did theoretical research in a certain area of physics but applied to graduate school indicating interest in another area of theory, will that affect my chances?

Hi all. This is strange question. Is publication of poetry during UGRADs helpful or will it hurt if I mention it while applying to graduate school in engineering, especially in extremely competitive programs like MIT? Thank You.

Hello all, I am a 33 year old pre-junior mechanical engineering major. This is my second degree and I am doing extremely well. Current GPA 3.88. Coming into the program I figured I would get my bachelors and that would be it, but since I have been doing so well and truly appreciate the...

I have been searching for the requirements for entry into physics graduate programs. I am seeing GRE + physics GRE + 3 LORs Is it understood that the student has a strong background in physics or mathematics or do they really not require it? I have signed up for higher mathematics...

My final quarter of school is a little over halfway through, and I'm finding it very difficult to stay motivated. I've been accepted to and am planning to attend a good graduate program next year, and, while I need to make sure I pass all of my classes, I don't have any reason to put much effort...

I'm in a rather weird scenario. My first four years of college, I wasn't interested in studying or macadamia in general. I was a finance major and realized that I was learning an extraordinary larger amount at work then I was in class. I'd go to work and learn how to analyze investments using...

I went to school for physics as an undergradute. I did well in my upper level physics courses, all A's and B's but I messed up very poorly in a math course and didn't put much effort into elective courses and the result is a GPA around 3.0. This combined with the fact that I bombed the...

Besides obtaining an outstanding GPA, what are the major things that graduate schools look for in candidates? Any input is greatly appreciated, but please do try to provide a bit more detail. Thanks!

Hello all, I am currently an undergraduate in physics and have a significant amount of room in my schedule for classes. This is because I took mostly maths and general classes my freshman year, when deciding my major, and now will have to stay an extra half or full year to complete the core...

I am finishing up my third year as an EECS major of a five year program at a highly reputable public university and I am strongly considering applying to doctoral programs in EECS (I figure I can leave with a terminal masters should I discover research at that level is not my cup of T). By...

Dear fellows, my undergrad was not in maths, but I have quite a chance of getting into a master's program in pure maths, later this year. Long story, not particularly interesting. My question is due to the fact that I am quite prepared to the examination (basic real analysis and linear...

Hello, I am a physics student of sophomore standing and I have been having average, sub-par grades during it. I have been very stressed the last few years of my life, due to loss of parents and taking care of a sibling, but thankfully financial aid has been helpful through it. Due to my poor...

Next year I'm doing the one year master program at Perimeter Institute, and I was surprised to realize that there is no grad-level electrodynamics class (level Jackson, I would suppose?). I then checked the Math Tripos III (applied math, aka theoretical physics) course list (where I also...

Hello. While I am not heading off to graduate school for a little bit, I am interested in persuing a phd in pure mathematics (Geometry is a broad interest of mine). I would also be interested in taking one or two mathematically inclined graduate courses from the Physics department (String...

Hi. I will be starting undergraduate studies in mathematics in this autumn. Given the unemployable nature of the subject only with a bachelor's degree, I will most definitely pursue graduate studies. At this point, I am not wholly determined to go for a Ph.D., and I am not sure about my...

Hi, I was wondering what the scope is these days to do a PhD in theoretical physics, but without delving into string theory? Is the world of theoretical physics still very much dominanated by string theory, or can young physicists go down alternative routes? I seem to remember that some years...

I have been lurking on PF for a while, so I have done a bit of research on the subject but figure I should get some specific advice from those knowledgeable about my dilemma. Currently, I am a junior Economics major at a Big 10 school, recently admitted into the honors program for my subject...

Hi. Here is some (more or less) relevant information: So I'm majoring in Philosophy and Logic, and I recently found out that if I do about an extra year of undergrad work, I can get a second bachelor's degree (In Mathmatics!) So I'm thinking: Since graduate school in Philosophy is pretty hard...

Dear Gentlemen, I am a fresh graduate mechanical engineer and I live in Bahrain (middle east) and usually, the positions required in the companies are limited. I want to ask you which of the given positions is preferred for a fresh Mechanical Engineer, most applicable for what I studied, because...

Hi all, my college is jacobs university bremen, germany. and has 3 years bachelors. Does anyone know whether that program is accepted for doctorate in usa? Thank you.

When you're going for a master's/phd and you're choosing a thesis, does your adviser's research field have to be the same as the field you're studying, or does he/she just have to be familiar with it? Say you're aiming to go to a university but the professors there are unfamiliar with your...

Hi everyone, I am currently a math major with an emphasis in physics, and I will begin looking for the right graduate programs to apply to in the fall. I am a rather silly case however, and I was curious if anyone had any advice or potentially some reassurance on my potential to get into...

hello everyone. I'm planning to take a (beginning) graduate course in algebra. right now I'm taking a standard undergraduate course in algebra that covers rings, integral domains, fields, polynomial domains, unique factorization. The book we're using is hungerford Algebra, which I think the...

Hey everyone, I am currently a first-year grad student, and I'm having a little bit of trouble in quantum mechanics. I'm doing alright in E&M and Stat Mech. but on the quantum mechanics exams, I'm usually scoring about 10-15 points below the median. To study, I first make sure that I'm...

I am in great physics PhD program in my first year, and classes aren't going all that well. Last semester I barely made it with a 3.0 gpa, which is the minimum required. I tried to study and work on the homework gradually, utilizing my classmates to bounce ideas off of. This was a big step...