Any good open universities around?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the search for open universities offering online courses in theoretical physics. The participant expresses a desire to return to studying physics after feeling unfulfilled in their engineering career. The conversation touches on personal motivations for studying physics and the availability of relevant educational programs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster shares their background in physics and engineering, expressing a desire to study theoretical physics alongside their job.
  • One participant questions the original poster's feelings about engineering, noting a perceived contradiction in their statements about finding it boring yet not disliking it.
  • The original poster clarifies their interest in understanding the "why" of physics rather than the "how," suggesting a preference for theoretical exploration.
  • Another participant suggests self-study as a viable option and references Gerard ’t Hooft's site for resources.
  • A different participant mentions limited options for postgraduate online programs, specifically highlighting an MSc in mathematics from the Open University as a relevant alternative.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the original poster's feelings about engineering and the motivations for studying physics. There is no consensus on the best approach to pursuing theoretical physics education, with various suggestions offered.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal motivations and educational aspirations, but lacks detailed exploration of specific online programs or their content. The original poster's emotional state and its relation to their career choice are also not fully resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a return to academic study in physics, those exploring online education options, and anyone interested in the intersection of engineering and theoretical physics.

miou@mitsou
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Hello,
forum its been some time since I posted something on this site, feels good to be back :)

well I am facing a problem and have thought about it and think I will be needing some help from you guys... the story goes as such..

well, I finished a four year degree in the field of physics (where i come from the BSc is 4 yrs and not 3) i worked for a couple of years on modeling neutron star collisions... etc. After that, I decided to become a space systems engineer and hence returned back to studying where I obtained myself a second BSc and a MSc in space systems engineering. Everythig has turned out nicely so far and have found a job under my MSc title, have a gf and soon planning to have kids...

Though I feel empty and sad inside, because I have regretted my decision become an engineer, its not that I don't like it; its just that after understanding what engineering is, I find it boring and not very intellectual at all. I feel this urge and passion inside me to study physics again on the side next to my day job. I know this will be a tedious task but I know that this will make me happy. And hence I want to peruse it.

What I need from you guys/girls is some advice on any open universities that you may know that provide online courses regarding theoretical physics.

Cheers :)
 
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miou@mitsou said:
its not that I don't like it;

I find it boring and not very intellectual at all.

These two seem contradictory. Can you expand a bit?
 
Thank you for your replay,

Though i am happy that you have shown intetest in my enquiery, i do not find any correlation between my question and the exploration of my subconscious feelings.

But since you have asked, let me answer in a nut shell, in case some other reader has a diffuculty in choosing between these two fields of science: i am more interested to answer the question why(?) rather than how(?).
 
miou@mitsou said:
... some advice on any open universities that you may know that provide online courses regarding theoretical physics.

How about following the advice on Gerard ’t Hooft's site? Self-study seems to me to be the way to go at this point.
 
miou@mitsou said:
What I need from you guys/girls is some advice on any open universities that you may know that provide online courses regarding theoretical physics.

There are very few options on the postgraduate level. In fact, an MSc in mathematics from the Open University seems to be the option closest to theoretical physics as far as accredited online programs go: http://www.find-online-courses.com/online-programs-in-mathematics (click: "postgraduate")
 

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