Caltech Master's and Ph.D. Programs

[chill_factor]

Well, the list of things in that link includes desire to avoid a job, and many other characteristics of a lazy person. So one would be safe in assuming that by posting that link by itself that you're referring to one as a lazy person?
Okay, so would a physics PhD and a chemistry master's be more realistic?

it is a much better use of your time to switch that around; physics MS and chemistry PHD.

the reason is this: a MS in physics makes you take at least 4 core classes and you can pick 1 chemistry related elective: quantum mechanics, statistical physics, classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and the 1 elective is condensed matter physics. it is also more marketable than a MS in chemistry because a MS in chemistry is very "unknown" as to what it actually is. people know what to do with a MS in physics (gruntwork) but no one knows what to do with a MS in chemistry.

a PhD in chemistry specializing in physical chemistry/materials, or even a PhD in materials science itself, would have to take... quantum mechanics, statistical physics, and condensed matter physics, all of which you already took. materials science would also need to take things like strength of materials but that's related to classical mechanics.

the extra classes for chemistry is usually a class on spectroscopy and analytical methods, which is basically applied quantum mechanics, and a class on chemical thermodynamics, which is pretty cool and includes fun things like kinetics and transport processes.

this is based on the curriculum of the MS/PhD in Chemical Physics program at my school.

also an objective fact is that chemistry/materials science PhD qualifying tests are much easier to pass than physics PhD qualifying tests. That is no joke as the physics qualifying tests are usually ridiculously brutal.

as an example, at my school's Chemical Physics program, there's a "physics track" set of questions and a "chemistry track" set of questions, and a "core" questions set. the core is quantum mechanics including spectroscopy and statistical physics. the physics track includes EM and solid state physics. the chemistry track has thermodynamics and kinetics.

there's no glory in passing the much harder physics test. its just 200+ hours of ridiculous mind numbing equation crunching.

 

[Chemicist]

I appreciate the insight very much. Although, my "heart" is right now, at least at the high school level, in physics, and it most likely will be in uni as well. So I am going to stick with a physics PhD and a chemistry MS. However, I really appreciate you and everyone else setting me straight on this matter.

 

[chill_factor]

I appreciate the insight very much. Although, my "heart" is right now, at least at the high school level, in physics, and it most likely will be in uni as well. So I am going to stick with a physics PhD and a chemistry MS. However, I really appreciate you and everyone else setting me straight on this matter.

you have a long time to decide whether you actually like chemistry or physics more. don't rush it. just keep realistic, know your own limits, and remember there's no glory in getting the same end result in a harder way.

 

[Chemicist]

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks :)

 

[Mépris]

Again, you're thinking too far ahead. You might do your first Chemistry sequence in college and realize you hate it for N reasons. Of course, things might go the other way but right now, you should wait.

You might also want to consider http://www.19ecolesdechimie.com/-CHEM-I-ST-.html. .pdf file in http://www.19ecolesdechimie.com/documents/Plaquette-CHEMIST-2007-Anglais-.pdf .

The French have a different system. There are universities there but one should really be looking at a Classe Preparatoire and then a Grande Ecole instead of universities. One attends a classe preparatoire after having graduated from high school. It lasts for two years and only the second year can be repeated. If you fail the first year, you're kicked out. And this actually happens. It's two intense years of work in physics, chemistry, mathematics and engineering sciences (along with some philosophy/history and languages). That's the "track" you want; it's called PCSI - physique, chimie et sciences de l'ingenieur.

Why that? You will be doing very advanced work (think at least sophomore/junior level) for two years in the prepa and that will give you a good idea of what advanced work in the sciences looks like. After that, you get the chance to enrol in a grande ecole (at least, if you do very well and go to one of the prepas I linked you with; normally, one has to compete with students who come from all over the country) where you spend another 3-4 years, after which you graduate with a Master's.

Here's where it gets interesting.
http://www.espci.fr/en/educational-programs/the-espci-ingenieur-degree/
There, you one studies a core curriculum for two years. The third year is a placement, whether in an academic setting or industry. (iirc) The fourth year is spent doing another masters or starting one's doctorate.

Read their curriculum and see for yourself.

 

[Chemicist]

Again, you're thinking too far ahead. You might do your first Chemistry sequence in college and realize you hate it for N reasons. Of course, things might go the other way but right now, you should wait.

You might also want to consider http://www.19ecolesdechimie.com/-CHEM-I-ST-.html. .pdf file in http://www.19ecolesdechimie.com/documents/Plaquette-CHEMIST-2007-Anglais-.pdf .

The French have a different system. There are universities there but one should really be looking at a Classe Preparatoire and then a Grande Ecole instead of universities. One attends a classe preparatoire after having graduated from high school. It lasts for two years and only the second year can be repeated. If you fail the first year, you're kicked out. And this actually happens. It's two intense years of work in physics, chemistry, mathematics and engineering sciences (along with some philosophy/history and languages). That's the "track" you want; it's called PCSI - physique, chimie et sciences de l'ingenieur.

Why that? You will be doing very advanced work (think at least sophomore/junior level) for two years in the prepa and that will give you a good idea of what advanced work in the sciences looks like. After that, you get the chance to enrol in a grande ecole (at least, if you do very well and go to one of the prepas I linked you with; normally, one has to compete with students who come from all over the country) where you spend another 3-4 years, after which you graduate with a Master's.

Here's where it gets interesting.
http://www.espci.fr/en/educational-programs/the-espci-ingenieur-degree/
There, you one studies a core curriculum for two years. The third year is a placement, whether in an academic setting or industry. (iirc) The fourth year is spent doing another masters or starting one's doctorate.

Read their curriculum and see for yourself.

Thanks, but I'm not really interested in going to school in France.