Undergraduate Definition and 599 Threads

Hi all. I recently finished my sophomore year as a physics and math major. I'm doing well in my classes with all A's in every science and math course I have taken, except a B+ in Physics1 in my first semester of college. I have been working with a high energy physics group since the summer after...

Hey, so I just got out of the Navy, where I was a Nuclear Electricians Mate, I also have an AS in electronics engineering. There is this college called Excelsior which basically takes your navy Nuke experience and turns it into a BS in Nuclear Technology in a couple semesters. Problem is, I...

Hi, I am a rising sophomore at Lehigh University. Currently, I am a Mech E major with an Aerospace Engr minor. My main interest is Aerospace Engineering, and so i plan on going to grad school(the best ones, obviously) in Aerospace Eng. research. However, I need some advice regarding choosing...

I have got selected in Joint Entrance Examination conducted by IIT's of India for admissions. According to my rank, I am getting the Engineering Physics branch at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. I am greatly interested in Physics hence want to opt for this branch, but my parents are not...

Homework Statement The problem along with its solution is attached as Problem 1-2.jpg. Homework Equations Norm of a vector. The Attempt at a Solution Starting from the final answer of the solution, sqrt((-0.625)^2 + (0.333)^2) == 0.708176532 != 1. Did the book do something wrong? I ask...

How is the quality of Tufts University for studying mathematics as an undergraduate? What should I expect? What should I not expect?

Hi Physics Forums. I recently committed to attending Harvey Mudd College to pursue a major in Physics, with the possibility of pursuing either a joint major in math and physics, or simply doing both majors. However, I was also on the waitlist at three separate schools: Caltech, Cornell...

I am about to graduate from college majoring in chemistry with a few minors (Math, Physics and Biology). I was a physics major, but due to some medical issues, I got an F in one of the required physics classes and subsequently had to drop it as a major. This issue was depression, and it took a...

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?

Hello everyone, I'm trying to start a new undergraduate research project. I have about 2 years to finish it, but honestly, I'm unsure as to what to do. Everything I really want to do is theoretical, but I need to design an experiment off of it, which would be tough. I was wondering if any of...

So, I am an undergraduate physics student, and unfortunately I was not able to obtain a national physics internship for this summer. However, I was wondering if it is still possible to work on a project with a professor, without the funding. If this is possible, how would I go about to...

This post is for those familiar with the IITJEE system in India. I wanted to know which IIT has the best physics department. If an unequivocal decision is impossible, please give me the advantages and disadvantages of whichever dep. you think is the best. Thanks in advance.

Hi, I'm a freshman physics undergrad. I'm wondering what I can do in my four years. I have no job or research position, and I don't know if I should get one by now. I'm still in the middle of freshman physics series though. I don't even know what focus I want. Probably particle physics, but I...

What are the best colleges in Missouri for bachelor degree computer science programs? I've looked around and the main ones I see are Washington University in St.Louis, Columbia University, and Rolla University (Although they are called something different now, Science & Technology I think)...

I am a current high-school senior and was recently accepted into Hopkins, Duke and Cornell. I intend to major in Physics (although not 100% sure) and was wondering, how greatly would choosing anyone of these schools affect my career choices? I've heard overwhelmingly that graduate school is what...

I am finishing my final year of high school and would like to obtain an undergraduate education in physics or engineering. I was just accepted into Columbia University, the University of Chicago (which does not offer engineering), and Cornell University and plan to attend one of them. If anyone...

Hello everybody, I was recently accepted to the University of Washington. I am a resident of Washington state, but I fear that I will not be able to pay for the tuition costs of this institution. I am currently applying to as many scholarships as I can, but due to my parents income, I will...

I am a sophomore at a highly respected university and, as I decide whether to concentrate my remaining academic years with undergraduate research, I must say that I am very skeptical about it. I mean, I see undergrads involved in advanced physics research without having completed basic courses...

I ve browsed many sites and wasted most of my time for finding a better topic but most of my friends managed to publish papers in there interested topics(other than modern physics)..I m really desperate to publish a paper since its getting late..Can anyone please suggest a better topic in modern...

In M.A. Armstrongs book "Groups and Symmetry" in Chapter 12 he introduces the reader to the fascinating topic of Braid Groups. Does anyone know of a book at undergraduate level (or even a popular book) that deals with Braid Groups Can you progress with Braid Groups if you lack a...

[SIZE="3"]Hi everyone, I am a new Undergraduate, enrolled in the Aerospace engineering program at the University Of Balamand in Lebanon. In my country (Lebanon), jobs in this field of Engineering are almost destitute ! Aerospace engineering is in my Veins, It is Everything I've always dreamed...

Hi, are there any pitfalls of switching subject area like this? I'm doing as much as I can to interact with engineers at the moment (such as student projects within the engineering dept. and generally trying to focus my physics towards what I understand to be engineering related as opposed to...

Do you call someone a physicist who merely finished undergraduate course in physics? Someone who did told me he considered himself a physicist. But I think I remember that someone is only considered a physicist when he at least finished Ph.D. Is it true? What is the true definition of a...

Does anyone know of a site that enumerates ALL the subjects an undergraduate physics course cover from freshman to last year (which includes common subjects like English, Literature, Economics, etc.)? I'd like to have an idea what subjects are included and especially what kinds of math are...

Hi there, I am currently a secondary school student in the south east of England, and I wish to become a Physicist or Astro-Physicist somewhere along the line in my wonderous future... *hint of sarcasm for wonderous* Anyway, I think for my Physics exams at GCSE level I would acquire a B, and...

I would like to know which choice is more beneficial, efficient, worth it, et cetera: Choice One-- Double Major in Both Physics and Education Studies, with a teacher licensure to be able to teach chemistry, physics, and/or mathematics at the secondary level. Choice Two-- Major just...

I am currently in first year engineering and I am not sure whether to go into Mechatronics or the more general Mechanical Engineering. A lot of people have told me that Mechanical Engineering is better in that it is more broad and you will get a bit of everything. Also does anyone know what...

Is it possible/okay to get your undergraduate degree in engineering physics and then go into graduate school and get your graduate degree in aerospace engineering> please help Thanks

I have heard multiple times that where you study and get you bachelor is not that important, at least relative to the importance of where you do your graduate studies. How much influence should the factor of a university having some prestige in the field of physics have on the decision making of...

Ok I have an important question about having publications in a field that is not related to your field, does it still increase your chances of getting accepted into grad school ie, does it add to your research experience in the way they look for or is it just about doing research in one area and...

I am currently composing a CV for research positions and I have only a minimal amount research experience and I am trying to beef up my CV, and I was looking for suggestions as to what to include and what not to include. Thanks

Hi all, this thread is mainly aimed at postgrads. I'm doing my undergrad degree in theoretical physics, my question is this; how many hours of independent study did you do while an undergrad? I've been getting good scores so far, but have only been averaging about an hour a day outside contact...

Is an entire year of research abroad worth it if it requires me to do an extra year of my undergraduate degree? I am currently in my third year of Engineering Physics at the University of Toronto. Right now my goal is to go to graduate school (somewhere) in some field of physics, not quite...

Hello, I understand marks are important because, when the time comes to chose between applicants, GPAs are a quick tool to narrow the list. Additionally, to any credible scientist, simply claiming ability isn't enough - you need to provide some evidence. Indeed, unfortunately for me, my...

Hello, I am an eager high school student trying to research ahead for the university I want to go to. I'm torn between studying either science or applied science. I was thinking if I spend one or two years in undergrad doing a bit of both, I might make a decision. Science: Particle...

I am a second year EE student and I want to know what are some possible things I can get into that will be beneficial to my future career and looks good on a resume, besides internships; like how pre-med students can shadow doctors, what can EE students do?

Hi, I saw a few posts similar to this one but I think my question is slightly different. I'm a second-year CS undergraduate who just coauthored a short paper (2 pages) to a conference that has an average-ish reputation; it's been accepted. I did a significant amount of work for this paper, so...

I held the view that the undergraduate physics course at CMI as the best undergraduate physics course in India as the entrance exam is competitive and tough. Very few are selected. But after reading the article: http://www.cmi.ac.in/~anirbit/CMI_Physics.pdf I feel disheartened since getting to...

I'm looking forward to buying some general undergraduate-level textbooks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. What are your suggestions?

I am a junior in high school living in Oklahoma and am interested in applying to the University of California, Berkeley when I can in my senior year. Now here is where things get complicated. In Oklahoma, high school students with high-ish grades (B or higher) have the option of concurrent...

I'm an engineering first year and I am looking for the best books relevant to my subject. My course is split up into five components: Maths, Electrical, Electronical, Materials, and Energy. By best books I mean that I am looking for books that explain most of what I need to know in a clear and...

Within the next year, I'm transferring from the local community college to the state university to complete my BS in chemical engineering. Right now I have about 3.5 gpa in my lower division courses (math, chem, physics, intro engineering, etc). Obviously, I'm going to work as hard as I can to...

To give you my rundown, I finished Dec 2010 at a top 20 university with a Math BA degree but unfortunately, did not do very well; I finished with an overall GPA of 2.8 and a major GPA of 2.6. To make matters worse, I did badly because I was a lazy and disorganized student with the wrong...

Im currently a junior physics major with an average gpa. I want to continue my education to the graduate level, and in order to better my chances of getting into a good grad school I really need to start focusing on getting some research experience. I have looked over some of the research...

Hello, everyone. I've been learning how to code for a bit. I picked Python because I figured I'd be able to skip the issues I would otherwise have with syntax and focus more on the programming aspect of it. Soon, though, I'm going to be ready to dive into one of the other languages with a...

How can we make a best resume to apply for undergraduate research assistance? I sent a message to professor and he said to send a resume. How can I make a best resume? The program is about: Assist with behavioral neuroscience testing of husbandry laboratory rats. Duties include tube/slide...

Do students help out (set up apparatus in the lab, write some code?) on something the grad students/professors are working on or are they handed a topic which they work on individually or in groups, as with a bachelor's thesis? What kind of research can undergraduates even do anyway?

I want to attend grad school in engineering and I hear research is a very important thing to have on the application but how can I get involved in research? I have emailed many professors expressing interest, but I have been unable to secure even a volunteer position for myself. :(

I am a physics major. I took introductory quantum mechanics, theoretical mechanics, general relativity, and math until linear algebra, diff. equations, probability and statistics, and discrete math. I had decided to do some research while being undergraduate. Approaching faculty members...

Hello, I'm a high school senior from Turkey,and I will be applying to US (and possibly Canadian) institutions this year. Ok, this post is going to be a bit long,but as an international applicant,I have many questions about the admissions process even after hours of Googling,and I'm hoping that...