Physics major Definition and 322 Threads

I'm a freshman who just finished their first semester at (insert elite university that I don't want to namedrop here), and I am an engineering physics major with a hope to one day do grad school in applied physics at a similar school. Anyway, due to the almost non-existence of a curve and the...

Hi all, Given that usually the most recent subject taught in a standard undergraduate curriculum is quantum mechanics, which was developed in the first half of the twentieth century, when did it become a standard part of the curriculum for undergraduates?

Hello, I am a high-school student. I'll be going to a college next year. I've decided to pick up Physics as a major. The employment sector, for physics, is not as rich as Engineering sector. Due to parents, who only wish to see me succeed, I've planned to pick up one other Engineering Major...

Hello PF, I am a physics sophomore this year and i took a course on java programming as an elective. And i just loved it! Really the harder it became the more i liked it. So i decided that i want to do something about it. But i don't know if a minor or a major is better for a physics major. And...

Hi. So, I took the general GRE the other day and did crappy on the Quant. This worries me. I'm applying to Materials Engineering PhD programs soon. I'd like to get some opinions of how deep of a ditch I've dug for grad school, or how much this retracts from the rest of my credentials. Do I stand...

Hello everyone! So within my major I can choose from various specializations, but I'm not sure what one would carry me the farthest in my career. I was wondering if I could get some advice on what I could do with these specific tracks before I make the final decision on which one to study. They...

Hello my names Ethan, I am a senior in high school and i plan on attending West Virginia University the coming fall of 2017. I want to acquire a PhD in nuclear physics and also I've been reading about, I believe the name is a complementary degree, other degrees to go along with nuclear physics...

Hi, everyone. I really, really want to go to graduate school. My focus will be AMO and I'm aiming for a PhD. However, I've looked through a lot of forums to see how others fared when offers rolled around. I also use this as a way to set goals. The problem is: I can't find a lot of people like me...

I’m currently a third year physics major who has realized that grad school probably isn’t the right path, as I’ve become anxious to finish school and start doing something more productive. I want to know what I should be doing now in order to be a good candidate for software engineering jobs...

I'm majoring in ee for sure, maybe eecs if I get into Berkeley or MIT (unlikely but who knows what the future holds). I would also like to learn a lot of physics to build that kind of thinking and a solid background for situations in which I go into research and development in the industry. My...

So I will be starting undergraduate study in Physics in the Fall. As of now, I am planning to get a Ph.D. in Physics, though it might be a bit too early for me to be saying this. What should my priorities be? My goal is to get into a top graduate school (e.g. MIT, Harvard, Princeton). Also, how...

Okay. So I’m a rising Junior and in a bit of a dilemma. I have to pick a major and right now I’m trying to decide between math and physics (hard to do both because I’m taking a fair number of computer science, economics, mechanical engineering courses et cetera). There are things that I like and...

Hi everyone, I've read a few posts on this forum and thought they were helpful enough that I should try to get some help as well. My situation is a little unusual in that I am a third year undergraduate student majoring in biochemistry, minoring in mathematics. I want to tackle biological...

I am currently studying mechanical engineering(M.E.) in India. I want to pursue physics as my major in US or Canada. I need to know what are the requirements for that if i want to be accepted in a good school for masters and what extra for physics should i do side by side with my current M.E...

I am currently about to graduate high school. I recently have found a new fascination, Physics. I'm a little upset with myself that it took me this long to realize this fascination, but I will have to move on from here on out. I did decent in high school, decent in math, and decent in my science...

Hi PhysicsForums, I just finished my second year at a Canadian community college (Langara) with a 3.8/4.33 gpa for the year and am currently weighing my options for universities. The universities I'm considering are uAlberta, SFU, and uVic. As I understand, the physics programs at these...

Hey everyone! I started back at my university after a 3 & 1/2 year break and changed my major from Journalism to Physics last May. I am coming up on my finals in a couple of weeks for the Spring Semester and then I will be taking a class over the summer and doing research. My grades are great...

Hi everyone I am an international students from India. I have applied to few Canadian and American universities. I want to study physics and maths as a double major in college. I am a bit confused and not able to make a good decision. I have been admitted to the following universities...

Hi all. I just thought I'd share the news that I officially declared my physics major! I also got keys to the science building and labs, which is nice :)

I have recently been accepted as a major in Physics to UCR, UCI, and UCSB. I know that UCSB is the highest ranked of all the UC's in Physics particularly (except Berkeley, which I did not get in to), but my main dilemma here is that there are other factors in play. With where I live, I could...

HI, So I am graduating this Spring 2016 with an overall gpa of 2.91 and a major physics gpa of 2.54. I have talk with some of my physics professors about the possibilities of going to grad school, and they told me that it is up to me if I feel prepared, but based on my physics upper division...

For those who have a physics degree, what is one tip you'd give to a current/future physics major? You can put it this way: What would you go back and tell yourself day 1 freshman year?

I know a lot of ppl have already asked this question, but I had to ask again b/c I feel like some things in my mind haven't been cleared up yet. I'm currently a freshman in a university and taking introductory physics classes. Since taking physics in college, I have been doubting myself very...

Hello, So i wanted to ask , am i to die of hunger if i graduate with a physics degree ? Because asides from the USA i don't think there's that much work for physicists . Also , what are the jobs differences between an undergraduate , a master's holder and a phd holder in physics ? Thanks

Hi all! Now I don't know whether the question I am about to pose is something that can be answered intelligibly. Maybe it is just a case about motivation...but I am not too sure at the moment. My question is: Does mediocre performance in first and second year physics present a possible...

Hi I am an international applicant from India applying to US and Canadian universities. But now I want to talk about some Canadian universities. I am applying for Physic and Maths major for the fall 2016 session. ACT composite score 31 SAT maths 800 SAT physics 780 High school scores: 9 ==...

Hey everybody, I'm currently at Miami-Dade College in Florida finishing up my last semester before I transfer. My classes this semester are Intr. to Diff equ, Calculus 3, physics 2 and the lab, and some bs general requirement. I have a 3.95 GPA, my only B is in a Biology course I took. I haven't...

Would it be realistic to consider applying to engineering REUs if I am a first year physics major? Not to say that I dislike the idea of doing physics research (I am also applying to Physics REUs) but I do find engineering interesting and could potentially see myself pursuing it post-graduation...

I am attending college next year but I am really confused between two majors. I am interested in astronomy and my dream is to pursue my career doing astronomy and I can wait to study astronomy in college. I know that astronomy is completely physics but I am confused whether should I choose...

I am planning on transferring to a 4 year university to major in physics. I am currently overseas and must take classes online. After an almost endless grueling search I was able to find a school that offered an associates program online that I feel is in the right direction for what I intend to...

In short, I finished my AA at one college and had been working on my Bachelors from my current college. However, due to family circumstances, I had to take a break this semester (and possibly next semester too). I now desperately need to find a decent paying job for financial stability. I'm...

Hello all, I am a physics major in my 2nd year. My current math courses include vector calculus and differential equations. I have a bit of a desire to try my hand at analysis next semester. The first course I would take assumes no prior knowledge of proof writing and builds from the ground up...

Okay so this might be a little long, but I think it requires some length to explain and elicit answers. I am a junior at the University of North Texas. I originally came here to be a music major and spent a year and a half as such. I was and am very passionate about music, but for many reasons...

Hello. I am a student in Germany, about to start my major in physics, namely in three weeks' time. I'm really excited about it because I've been wanting to study physics for about two years, but I just didn't have the courage to do it I've just turned 27 and before wanting to study physics I'd...

I've seen some discussions about studying abroad, but I wanted to post my own to get more recent comments. I'm an undergrad in a US college and looking into studying abroad for a semester. However, I've noticed that it's not as common for STEM majors to study abroad as it is for humanities...

I'm just starting school as a Liberal Arts intending to major in Physics at my Local CC. **This question is for FUTURE REFERENCE!*** In regards to software support, what OS would I need? I've heard mixed reports & more forums leaning towards the Macbook Air / Pro side. Is this correct? I'm...

Hey, I am starting my second year of University, and I have a dilemma I was hoping people here could help me with - I started out with a major in Physics and a minor in CS. Over the past year I came to the following conclusions: 1. I enjoy both physics and CS and would like combining the two in...

Hello all, I am a senior physics major currently in the process of applying into an EE masters program. I'd like to get an EE related internship next summer to get some work experience. How should I go about this? There is a career fair at my school sometime this fall. When I approach potential...

Hello, I'm currently pursuing a bachelors in physics. My program does not require that I take basic chemistry to earn my degree, but I've recently been questioning how useful a bachelors in physics will be, I'm not planning on going into academia so I've read that I need to acquire marketable...

I am currently an NE major, but I am on the verge of switching to Physics at the start of my 2nd year. I have received B's in Calc 2-3 and in Engineering Physics I ( a massive weed out course) 120 students started out in that class, only 26 are registered in the 2nd Engineering Physics class(...

I've always loved physics but have had this (hopefully) false notion that you need to be some sort of analytical genius to get anywhere doing actual physics research so I always told myself I would just follow engineering. This past year (Junior year of high school) a degree in physics started...

Hey all, I'm at a bit of a major crossroads between studying Physics or Engineering. There are two major milestones in my life that I want to achieve, or die trying: a) Own and operate a consumer electronics company (definitely computers) and b) If astronaut and space based programs begin...

Hello everyone, It's been a long time since I last posted in the forum, but I no longer have internet at home nor a lot of time either. I'm majoring in physics, I've done pretty well so far, but it's been harder for me than it should be. This is the consequence of two things: First, I...

Hello everyone, I'm in my first year of a Bsc in Australia and am currently planning on majoring in physics and human geography (it is a strange combination I know). I have to pick my subjects forsecond semester and am faced with a dilemma. Currently I have chosen maths, geography and physics...

I'm currently (officially) a physics major with a double in math as well. Currently, I got two D's in my intro physics classes (that is, physics 221 and 222, classical mechanics and E&M, respectively). Should I still pursue physics as a major despite this huge shortcoming? I try really hard at...

Background: Undergraduate majoring in physics to work in research, hopefully in astrophysics or cosmology. 1.5-2 years behind where I should be academically and (if all goes well) about to start courses relevant to major. My questions are these: 1) How should I study basic mathematics...

Hello, I am incredibly interested in Physics, so that is what I am majoring in Physics. However, I also want to do work in clean energy resources. Can I get a job in clean energy with a Physics degree? If so, how?

So I'm in my first year of university doing a physics major and I wrote my test for introductory physics. When I wrote the test I didn't feel like it was hard or anything I thought I would do fairly well; the problem is when I got it back I barely passed 56% (this is the lowest mid-term mark I...

Hello, I'm currently in college studying to be a physics major, I just completed my first year and am taking classes in the summer. However, I'm not sure if I want to major in math or physics since I love both of the subjects. Leaving high school, physics seemed like the logical choice, I was...

I'm looking for physics majors or grads that may have been in my situation. Recently I started studying physics in my spare time (enter University in a few months) and I really struggled with one dimensional motion...which was the first chapter of the book. It took me days to understand the...