Phd Definition and 1000 Threads

Through circumstance, I believe I could finish my BS with over the 24 credits required for the "core" coursework of a PhD. This is supposed to take two additional years. While I know its important to explore your field and that means typically going to another uni for graduate school, is this a...

Hi, I got my undergraduate in Electrical Engineering. Then went right to work at a government sponsored research lab. I got into a part-time masters program from a good school and got two non-thesis masters: one in Electrical Engineering, the other in Computer Science. The reason for two...

I'll give a summary of the issue, then put it into questions. I've wanted to 'do physics' for as long as I can remember, but have recently become somewhat (Though not totally) disillusioned. Aside from physics/maths, I really love making effective plans and guiding them to fruition, as vague...

Does the institution where an individual receives their PhD degree in mathematics have a significant impact on their career? The question evolves from a merger among universities: If a university is under a merger with another well established university with a much much better reputation in...

I want to get a PhD no matter the cost, so I have been trying lately to figure out which exact field I should "major" in in graduate school. I will be graduating with a mathematics B.S., but my main interest is in nuclear engineering (I am taking pre-req NE classes and will be doing a summer...

So I'm looking to go back to school and major in either math or physics. actually, I am pretty set on majoring in math. cause i love math. but I do want to go on to a graduate program, and the math graduate programs hold little interest for me. All of my research interests are physics related...

PhD for multi-interests-? Hi, Dear participants,could you tell me,please,which PhD program is the best fit for someone who has a wide spectrum of interests(physics,maths,electronics,chemistry,etc) and really wants to use all of them in his research work?What kind of field could it be? I...

Is a PhD the highest academic degree on can possibly earn? Or is there something above that level?

I didn't really know where to place this thread, so move it if it's in the wrong place. I'm a nuclear physicist graduating with my masters this academic year. I have a meeting scheduled with one of my professors of a medical physics course I have just finished. We will be discussing what...

The most diversified PhD program-? Hello everybody, I'm an Instrument Engineer working in Oil&Gas sector(field work in automation with transmitters,sensors,valves,PLCs,etc.) who wants to follow the PhD program in one of the US universities.The thing is I have a varied set of interests which...

I was wondering if people could give me an idea of what I should expect.

Ok so I have been thinking about doing a PhD in possibly condensed matter physics for a while now (my masters is soon going to be finished), but my parents, who also happen to be my primary benefactors, are adamantly opposed to that idea as they want me to get a "real job" in the corporate world...

Hi everyone, I completed my PhD in experimental low energy physics over a year ago and I still cannot find a postdoc position in my field. I have three papers published about my work, and passed my viva with minor corrections, and have good references, but again I just cannot find a postdoc...

Do some of you got a Phd without a Master? I have a professor that only have a phd and 3 posdoc. How this works and how hard it is? And, if you know, what kind of institute or which contry have this kind of program?

I'm currently in a Math PhD program (in the US), and I have the option of mastering out soon. I initially thought I might do pure math and go into academia, but have since changed my mind. So now I'm trying to figure out whether I should get the MS or continue on for the PhD. My intentions...

Would a doctorate in mechanical engineering help at all? Would one be able to easily find a job as opposed to a doctorate in physics? In addition, which one would generally have the more favorable salary? thanks.

I was wondering if most Science and Engineering PhD programs look at the entire undergrad gpa or the Junior/Senior gpa? I am a returning student and my old gpa (from 12 years ago) is 2.04 after 63 credits. I figured out that depending on which path I take to finish my undergrad I will need to...

Consider a cantilever beam of rectangular cross section made up of two materials steel and aluminium. an axial force is applied at one end. the question asked was which material should make up the upper part and which should make up the lower part of the beam? Could someone please help me in...

Hi All, Maybe my first post is a bit sad/depressive, but I need some advice. I have finished recently my MSc. degree in Space Technology & Space Sciences. I have a BSc. in Physics as well and I'm considering to do a PhD. with a challenging topic. However, I'm unlucky. Since last...

I'm 16 and have applied to sixth form to do all 3 sciences and maths. How difficult is it to get a PhD in physics and then become a particle physacist?

I realize that there are many more than adequate schools where I can go to obtain a PhD, but my current goal is to get into one of the top 30. I truly have no idea of the competition, hence the question. I am going to the university of connecticut and came in with 38 AP credits and will graduate...

the exams I'm looking at will be in analysis and applied math, the first covers: real analysis, advanced calculus, and complex variables; the second: a second course in differential equations, partial differential equations, and numerical methods. i may be able to take preparatory classes in the...

Okay, maybe that's a little vague. But I'm serious. All my friends applied to MIT, Caltech, Harvard, etc. In fact, it seems like everyone does. I didn't. I'm in the National Guard, so I'm stuck to one state. One of my friends suggested that I shouldn't go to graduate school at all unless I get...

Hello, I have great interest in physics, however I don't have the gpa (3.0) to get into grad school. Has anyone gotten a job first, at a national lab for example, and then applied for a PhD program? Thank you

So, as the title says, I'm considering doing a second undergraduate degree having recently completed my PhD. I've searched for advice on this online and I can't see anyone else who has asked this before, which hasn't made my decision any easier. My educational background is an undergraduate...

Just finished with my B.S.M.E. and now my M.S.M.E. and have been considering a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. I've been offered research opportunities in both the mechanical and electrical engineering departments, so really it's up to me to decide. Can anyone put an industry spin on what I...

I am still in high school so I know this is a bit early to start worrying. My dream job would be one in academia, but as I understand, that isn't going to be easy. What other jobs are there for someone with a PHD in physics?

Academia jobs after you get your PhD are few and far between. I was wondering what jobs are there for Physics PhDs in the industry or with the government. What exactly do these guys do?Thanks.

Ok so ever since I've been little I wanted to be a doctor but getting farther into my undergraduate work I really enjoy working in astrophysics...but the catch is i like money. Cal my greedy or whatever but I like medicine both as mind stimulation and obviously outstanding pay. My question is...

Hi, There have been very few discussions on this topic in the internet. Is it better to get a PhD degree from the UK or from other European countries such as Belgium , Spain ,Germany, Netherlands,Sweden etc ? I have shortlisted for my PhD, University of Strathclyde and Heriot Watt in UK...

Hi, I have a master of science degree in photonics. I wanted to pursue a career in photonics related fields. My major interests are in nonlinear optics,laser physics,fiber optics and material science. I have received an offer for PhD in electrical engineering(micro-systems and photonics...

Is a PhD I This Economy Worth It? As I am currently looking to reapply to grad schools, I noticed when I call/email professors regarding research projects most of them say they have low or no funding and cannot support new grad students. Now, assuming they are not lying to me, the number of...

I'm currently a second-year university student considering applying to a PhD program in physics. I'm leaning towards theoretical physics, although I haven't really experienced enough to make a clear decision. I'm beginning to be involved in research with a theorist this semester, but I was...

Finishing up my B.S. in Computer Science, with a minor in physics. My GPA is only about 2.5 and very little academic research experience. Yea, I agree I messed up. But I'm fixing things now, reading up hard and practicing for GRE. I plan to attend George Mason's computational science M.S...

Hi guys, I'm about to finish my Bachelor's in Mathematics and Statistics and am currently applying to PhD programs in Applied Math/Scientific Computing. My research interests are in PDEs, Numerical Analysis, and Fluid Dynamics. However, I am a little hesitant about proceeding because I'm...

Hi guys, I am currently writing-up my PhD thesis, research topic is in the area 4G LTE and optical fibre communication integration, from not very well reputed university in UK. I have published about 8 papers, where 3 of it are IEEE journals. I have another 3 under review, with one of it is...

PHD in BioPhysics... To tell you guys a little bit about myself, I am an undergraduate student at an average university (like in your top 70 for undergraduate programs). By the time I will be 22, I will have graduated with 2 masters (one in math, one in physics), three majors (math, physics...

I'm beginning my second year in my PhD program. I had to fight very hard to make it to the second year, as my program condenses the normal two year masters sequence that would make up the beginning of other programs into one year. They were also very eager to cut students using prelims, so the...

I am an undergraduate student in nuclear engineering, and I want to pursue a PhD in nuclear materials. I have research background in materials corrosion, but my undergraduate university doesn't have courses on materials science for nuclear engineering students. I have noticed that many...

Hello, I'm sure none of you have ever seen a recommendation request here before. :) I'm in a bit of an odd situation; I went to a good technical school a few years ago as an engineering major but left without finishing for personal reasons, mostly due to severe depression. My degree was...

Hey I'm currently an undergraduate Physics student in my third year. I wish to continue on with Physics and complete a Phd Preferably I'd like to avoid doing a masters, I've looked at a lot of threads on here and the general consensus is that with a three year bachelors (like the ones in...

Today I received my mgre subject test scores and had a complete panic attack. I knew they weren't going to be phenomenal, but they were definitely worse than expected. I have a severe problem taking standardized tests, and I knew this long before I took the exam. I know I am more capable than...

Call me crazy, but am I right in thinking that people with a Phd in Theoretical Physics could take up a position in a university as an experimentalist? Is it a strange thing for a theorist to do? Or is it not that black and white? Is it more of a blur? Would theorists be viewed just as capable...

I am looking for some academic career advice from someone more experienced than myself. I apologize for the length but I'm in a real bind. There was a school which I really wanted to attend for my mathematics PhD. Call it "A". Relevant: "A" is on the east coast. "A" was accepting spring...

For those of you who have experience with these programs, I have some questions. How competitive are they generally? They don't seem like they get a lot of applicants. Is it a bad idea to ONLY apply to chemical physics programs as a chemistry major? There are 5 schools I know of with chemical...

Hello everybody! I'm now in the second half of my PhD program, with 2 more years to go, and nothing to show for it. Sure, I've written two papers (which got zero citations), but the only good thing I can say about these papers, is that they are not the worst papers ever written...

I am just starting my phd. I am self funded so I chose my supervisor. He's working on a related area to what I want but not quite the same. I am trying to decide my phd direction right now. I want to work on something very new, very fundamental, probably unrealistic for a phd. But I want to try...

I want to get my undergraduate in Pure math (I've taken and will take some additional CS courses). My question is, would I still be a competitive candidate for a PhD program in computational biology? (mathematical modelling of biological/behavioral/social systems) or should I really get my...

Hi everyone, I'm finally finishing my Master's in theoretical physics. These past two years reminded me of how easily I become excited and lose interest. My thesis is on computer simulations which also helped further develop my programming skills (I do love programming). As super exciting as...

Applied math vs. statistics PhD -- job prospects I'm a math major considering pursuit of a PhD in applied math or stats when I graduate. I'm trying to ascertain the job prospects in these fields. Can anyone provide some information on how readily jobs are available in industry and academia in...