Can a physicist study evolutionary biology? How can I do?

[Non Euclidean]

Hello, I’m an undergraduate physics student. Recently, I recognize that I am interested in evolution and I want to study life’s origin. When I preferred physics, because I want to learn how nature works. Now, I am not only interested in how nature works, also I’m passionate for neuroscience and evolutionary biology. What do you suggest? Are there any common points between evolution and physics? How can i do to study evolutionary biology in physics?

 

[symbolipoint]

You have electives choices unless your particular program restricts what you are allowed to do. How far you go with your choices of elective courses, depends on you, how much time or terms you can spend, and how that time competes with getting your Physics credits.

 

[StatGuy2000]

To the OP:

I'm assuming that you are interested in combining evolutionary biology with physics at the graduate level. If that is the case, I am aware of physicists who have specialized in statistical physics and non-linear dynamics who have made contributions in evolutionary biology. Consider, for example, the work of Robert May:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_May,_Baron_May_of_Oxford

Also, the Santa Fe Institute is a non-profit institute that is dedicated to research in complex systems, and there are important contributions in the intersection of biology and physics.

http://www.santafe.edu

 

[ZapperZ]

Hello, I’m an undergraduate physics student. Recently, I recognize that I am interested in evolution and I want to study life’s origin. When I preferred physics, because I want to learn how nature works. Now, I am not only interested in how nature works, also I’m passionate for neuroscience and evolutionary biology. What do you suggest? Are there any common points between evolution and physics? How can i do to study evolutionary biology in physics?

Lots of questions here:

1. How far along are you in your undergraduate program? If you are a freshman, then this shouldn't be much of a problem, is it? If you are a senior, then ask yourself if you want to switch major, or stay longer and take more biology-oriented courses that may not count towards your physics degree and then graduate with the hope that those bio courses are enough to get you into graduate school.

2. Have you had a heart-to-heart talk with your academic advisor?

Zz.

 

[symbolipoint]

I tend to agree with the questions that ZapperZ asks. Physics are Biology are usually very different kinds of fields of study. Physics affects all sciences but you might want to figure how to get some sense of direction.