Changing from mech engineer to astronomy

[tg7776]

I am currently a mechanical engineer student in greece.I really don't find mech eng. that interesting so i am willing( when i finish my 5 year study) to change field and study graduate astronomy.WIll i be able to do that?Also i really don't want to study again in undergraduate level.I am already working my backside off to study enginner undergrad.


Also does anyone know an institute with a trainig program for people who change fields? thnks...

 

[Goldbeetle]

Have you talked yet to the persons in charge of graduate admission in the astronomy/physics faculty of Greek universities?

 

[tg7776]

Have you talked yet to the persons in charge of graduate admission in the astronomy/physics faculty of Greek universities?

Actually I want to study abroad and i have asked some universities but have not answered clearly..SOme say its ok some not

 

[HossamCFD]

The only way to know for sure is to try to contact potential supervisors for Ph.D positions in astronomy (or astrophysics). However, judging by the sound of things, it won't be easy as you will be competing with many people who have more appropriate background. If you want to enhance your chances you can take a taught course Masters in Astronomy which probably will take a year or so. You can also self study for some time and take the physics GRE. Without any of those steps, the chances to get accepted in a Ph.D program for astronomy would be very slim.

I was in a similar boat. I did my B.Sc and Masters in mechanical engineering and then searched for a Ph.D position in astrophysics. I was offered such a position only very recently after being frustrated with waiting a long time and rejected a couple of times eventhough my CV has a few journal publications and three years of research in CFD which is somehow relevant to theoretical astrophysics. I would say I was very lucky. If you don't want to depend on luck then you'd better do an Astronomy Masters or at least a physics GRE.

 

[tg7776]

The only way to know for sure is to try to contact potential supervisors for Ph.D positions in astronomy (or astrophysics). However, judging by the sound of things, it won't be easy as you will be competing with many people who have more appropriate background. If you want to enhance your chances you can take a taught course Masters in Astronomy which probably will take a year or so. You can also self study for some time and take the physics GRE. Without any of those steps, the chances to get accepted in a Ph.D program for astronomy would be very slim.

I was in a similar boat. I did my B.Sc and Masters in mechanical engineering and then searched for a Ph.D position in astrophysics. I was offered such a position only very recently after being frustrated with waiting a long time and rejected a couple of times eventhough my CV has a few journal publications and three years of research in CFD which is somehow relevant to theoretical astrophysics. I would say I was very lucky. If you don't want to depend on luck then you'd better do an Astronomy Masters or at least a physics GRE.

Of course, i was not going to apply for Phd straightforward.Firstly i want a masters degree in astronomy..If you can suggest any pecifiv university or info please do so...I don't have really anyone to help me in my institute

 

[HossamCFD]

There are plenty of programs. It depends on your preferred location of study, the cost and so on.

 

[tg7776]

There are plenty of programs. It depends on your preferred location of study, the cost and so on.

Iwould prefer europe and i have seen some nice websites from leiden university or university of Ansterdam.Iwas hoping also to take a scholarship or some financial help from the university i am going to apply

 

[HossamCFD]

Leiden observatory is a leading institute of course. UK has many such programs as well. Funding is almost impossible for taught course Masters however since the university is not going to benefit from you in any meaningful way.