Ph.d Definition and 176 Threads

What do you guys think of this program at Colorado State University? I have a BS Math, and I'm working on an MA Math. Professionally, I've been working as a seismic processing geophysicist for just shy of two and a half years now. I might fall under the "applicable master's" category which would...

I am now facing a dilemma of making a choice between Berkeley and Princeton. My intended research field is condensed matter experiment, especially topological materials and 2D materials. Both graduate schools have the suitable group for my research of interests. Also, I know both of them have...

Hello, I have completed a Master program in China, during which, I joined in a project applying nano-particles in optical device. The project motivated me to study optical property of nano-particles, and I am looking for a Ph.D. position in Germany. The problem is: how do I get known with my...

I´m now 30 years old (born in 1984) and I will be done with my Ph.d. in Nanotechnology in Mexico City. I am planning on getting married with my girlfriend (who is a U.S. citizen) on June 2016 and go live to the United States. I am now thinking what I would like to do after getting done with the...

I am from India. I have done B.Sc in electronics, M.Sc in electronics, M.Tech in nanoelectronics and currently have four years of research experiences in nanoelectronics. But now I want to shift from this career and get a Ph.D in astrophysics from the universities in USA. Can anyone tell me is...

I am from India and I hold a Ph.D degree in nanoelectronics. But now I want to be a physicist. I have been studying undergrad physics and bridging up the gaps for a while and am now ready to take up GRE. But can someone please tell me is the idea of achieving a Ph.D degree in physics after...

Hi all, I just finished my 4 years college with a B.S. in Physics from a reputed physics program. I came to college with a naive mindset about myself. I thought I want to become a theorist and get a tenure from somewhere. I have changed quite a bit after working in research as an undergrad...

Dear PF: I've spent a decade-plus in school by now. I earned my BS in a country different than the US in 2002. My degree allowed me to work as a Math & Physics teacher in high schools in my country, but not in colleges or universities. From the beginning, I knew I didn't want to be a high...

Hey guys! Let me throw in who I am before I introduce my question. I finished my year of graduate school last May, figured out an advisor and a field (something related with Brownian motion on manifolds), and I'm overall happy with it all. No plans of dropping out, I enjoy the company of my...

Hello Physics Forums. I am looking at finishing my Ph.D. here within the next year or so. I am looking to continue in academic work. My PhD work has mostly been directed deeper into physics (semiconductor and 2D materials) despite being in the EE department (there is a lot of need for basic...

Hey guys, I finished my MSci degree (Physics with Theoretical Physics from the University of Nottingham) back in June achieving an average of 67% over the entire 4 years. My grades in 2nd year were extremely high (78%) and my grades dipped in 3rd and 4th year (though I did get some nice grades...

What are the pros and cons of going for a Ph.D in biotechnology...

Hey all! I have a personal question, but hopefully this will be useful to more than just me. I'm going for a Ph.D in cognitive neuroscience. I am convinced this is what I want to do. Once I've achieved that, is it totally unrealistic to attempt another postgraduate degree in another field...

Hello there, I wanted to know whether the Ph.D qualifying exams have to be taken when a student begins grad school? In some university websites, it's mentioned that all incoming students need to sit for the exam before the begin classes (provided they have sufficient background). Some other...

Hi, I saw many templates for the cover letter of Ph.D. application. If I use them and do a little modification, is that OK or regard as a kind of plagiarization? Thank you very much in advance!

Back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s was it easier to get a PHD in theoretical physics than it is today? Thank you

Hi all, I am hoping to get some advice re: my career path. I have lurked these threads for a bit and I can see there's quite a bit of wisdom here, but I am hoping to get some particularly tailored to my situation. I am a 2nd year grad student at a top-10 applied math Ph.D. program, but I am...

I am a second year M.Sc. Physics student in an Indian university, I am highly motivated to pursue a carrier in theoretical high energy physics. I am willing to get a Ph.D. from a European university(as they have 3 year Ph.D. programs, unlike a 5 year program here in India and US). But the...

Hey all, I am interested in doing a program at my university that would allow me to take ~11-13 graduate courses (including three for research thesis) and get me an M.S in the standard four years one would get a B.S. I want to be the best applicant for a PhD program and I feel that if I left...

I recently received a Physics Ph.D. but I had previously studied and earned an Aerospace Engineering masters degree. After spending several years earning my Ph.D. I have decided I would much rather practice Aerospace Engineering professionally. Unfortunately, I have had little success in...

Hi All, Hope all is well. It's been a while since my last visit to PF. I'll cut to the chase: I'm now in my 5th year of grad school, and I basically feel like crap. On the surface, things seem fine. I have two papers published, another accepted for publication, and a fourth in the revision...

Hello everyone! It won't be long before I'll take my degree in theoretical Physics and then I'll have to apply for a Ph.D. I'd like to work on some fundamental Physics. The problem I have to face is that I actually know (almost) nothing about contemporary physics and so I don't have the...

Does It Look "Bad" To Go To The Same School For Undergrad And Ph.D? If the school that you're attending for your undergrad also has a Ph.D. program that interest you would it look bad on your curriculum vitae to have the same school listed twice? I've heard that you should try to go to a...

Is it possible to go straight into an Astrophysics or Astronomy Ph.D. program after obtaining a B.S. in Physics (general), or would you have to more or less specialize at the undergrad level and/or shoot for a masters prior to the Ph.D. in order to make sure that you know "enough" about...

I am desiring to get a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics, but I know not what college will be best for me to get that degree in. I am taking all the most advanced Science and Math classes at my School. Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy. I live in Southwest Missouri, and my parents have no money...

Hello, So here is my story.. I will have a bachelors degree in Applied Physics in May. My favorite topic in Physics has always been electromagnetics so I have taken more advanced courses in EM theory than the typical physics student. I got offered a job at Penn State (from a connection...

I hope to have my Ph.D. in math by the end of the summer. My dissertation is in mathematical physics. But I feel woefully under-qualified for academic positions - I've made excellent grades in all my math classes, but I don't really think I love math as much as some of the people I tend to meet...

First: I am US Citizen, inquiring about US study though open to study abroad. I'm in my last year of my Physics degree, and like many people would like to go to do my Ph.D in Physics. However, my GRE and GPA are only mediocre and I'm concerned that I would have difficulty getting into a...

Hello, all. I'm considering applying to Ph.D. programs in experimental condensed matter physics. My general research interests would be in the electrical and optical properties of materials, particularly semiconductors and nanostructures, and their applications to information and solar energy...

It seems that being an academic requires you to be able to come up with interesting and unique ideas for attacking interesting problems, and I simply don't think that's a skill I possess. But I'll soon have a math Ph.D. in mathematical physics (and a physics masters' degree) from a large state...

what kind of physics should I study to ultimately specialize in general relativity? what fields should i focus on in my B.S and M.S ?

I am one year away from completing a master in Dynamical Systems (previously I have a Bachelor in Engineering Physics) at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden. It is considered a top school in Sweden but in international rankings you will have to look way down the lists to find it...

Hey guys, I was curious ( I am currently a freshman in college) what job opportunities are out there for people who major in physics (B.S. or Ph.D.). I am specifically interested in jobs for people interested in theoretical/particle physics. ~thanks

Hello, I'm currently studying under an integrated M.S. program, majoring in Physics (Math as additional subject), and later wish to do Ph.D in theoretical Physics (broadly in particle physics). I know that universities look at factors like GRE score, reference letters, GPA, etc. as criteria...

I'm still in lower division so I know this is jumping the gun, but I wanted to ask this now while I still have time to ponder. Originally my end goal was to get a Ph.D because I want to do research ideally in astrophysics, although I'm well aware that jobs in this field are few and far...

Hello everyone, I'm Eric and I'm looking at Ph.D programs. Looking at MITs page (my dream school) I jotted down the classes I'd want. My questions are: 1.Is my list thorough enough?too thorough? 2.How many years will they take? 3.Dissertation ideas? The classes: Quantum Theory I+II...

I've been having trouble finding many pure math Ph.D. programs with active research groups in the general field of discrete mathematics (perhaps due to its interdisciplinary nature). I'm only aware of the top schools in this field (e.g. Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, UCSD, Rutgers); can anyone...

Does anyone know if Caltech allows you to get your Master's and Ph.D.? I've heard that some universities allow you to get one or the other, but not both, and to acquire the Doctorate, you have to go somewhere else. Is this true for any school, specifically Caltech? Thank you.

A very vague question- What are my chances of getting accepted to a top 30 Ph.D. program in math (specifically U Maryland, Johns Hopkins, U Penn, U Washington, Ann Arbor, Columbia, Northwestern) if I: Am completing my Master's in math from a top 20 school (UIUC) with a (realistically...

Gents, My questions may seem trivial but the answers I found in the internet are contradictory,so I decided to ask them here since this forum is a trustworthy source for me. First,I want to say that personally I'm interested in Ph.D programs in Electriclal&Electroincs Engineering and...

Hi all, So, I'm finishing up my master's degree in applied physics (not much different from a master's in physics if you choose your courses correctly) and am looking into Ph.D programs. One thing I haven't seen much information about is the requirements if you are coming into the program...

Hello all, I am seeking some career guidance because I have found myself in an unexpected circumstance. I recently found out (within the past month) that my Ph.D. funding will run out at the end of next semester. I still have years to go until I'm able to defend a dissertation so I feel...

I'm currently about half-way (3.5 years) through a Ph.D. program at a top optics program in the U.S., my research is in experimental AMO. I've come to realize that I've lost the passion for research I once had, and really have no desire to enter any career field requiring a Ph.D. I have a hard...

So if I wanted to change my career from professional engineer to community college teacher, would a Ph.D in engineering be helpful or over qualify me? I have a bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, a M.S. in ME with emphasis on controls and dynamics, and about 2 years of professional...

How do they compare to those in the U.S.? Pure math in particular.

Hi all, I've been searching various forums including this one for information on applying to and completing a Ph.D in physics outside the US including institutions such as University College London, Kings College, and some others (mostly in the London area) but have come up with little info...

Need opinions, I'm entering my "Senior" year in physics, and have a had a tumultuous academic past. I changed majors a lot before settling on physics and used to withdraw from classes halfway through the semester because I'd get bored with Gen Ed's etc. Last semester I had a rough go of it...

I know that one usually has to earn a Ph.D in Physics to be recognized as a Physicist (if they choose that career). How lenient is this? That is, how easy is it to be a Physicist with only an MS? Or does the usually in "usually has to earn a Ph.D" not mean anything?

I hope to apply for a Ph.D. place in 2012; is it possible to send off written papers [as if to write extended articles] as part of the application, to demonstrate competence? I am worried that otherwise the grades for the various modules of my Physics degree that won't end up as my intended...

I am attempting to write applications for physics Ph.D. positions right now and I feel as if I am hitting a brick wall. I have "narrowed" it down to wanting to do a Ph.D. either related to inertial confinement fusion, particle or nuclear physics. I know I'm supposed to be advertising my skills...