Comparing Computational Physics PhD Programs: CMU vs. Harvard, Chicago, and UIUC

[Aniket1]

My interests are mainly computational physics and theoretical soft matter physics. How good is the PhD program in (Computational) Physics at CMU (and the Physics Department in general)?

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

CMU is Carnegie Mellon University?

 

[Aniket1]

CMU is Carnegie Mellon University?

Yes

 

[Arsenic&Lace]

Computational biology often includes biophysics and their computational biology is extremely good. Biophysics and soft-matter are somewhat related too.

I know it's not precisely the information you were looking for but it's a start. CMU and Pitt also have a joint program in comp bio, I don't know if they have a joint program in theoretical physics but Pitt is also very good at comp bio.

 

[Aniket1]

Computational biology often includes biophysics and their computational biology is extremely good. Biophysics and soft-matter are somewhat related too.

I know it's not precisely the information you were looking for but it's a start. CMU and Pitt also have a joint program in comp bio, I don't know if they have a joint program in theoretical physics but Pitt is also very good at comp bio.

Thanks a lot for your reply. Could you please tell me how does this program compare to computational biophysics programs in universities like Harvard, University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne?

 

[Cake]

CMU has a LOT of opportunities to get involved in research at their school. You don't have to worry about getting into an REU in the summer because there are good opportunities right in Pittsburgh. Not to mention Pittsburgh is just a really nice place (my hometown), and CMU's campus is just really vibrant and full of neat projects students have committed to to make the place shine. Their Computer Science program is number 1 in the country for a reason-they REALLY invest in their students. Other schools may be the same, but I'd rather live in Pittsburgh than Boston or Chicago any day. Hope that helped.

 

[Arsenic&Lace]

Thanks a lot for your reply. Could you please tell me how does this program compare to computational biophysics programs in universities like Harvard, University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne?

All I can tell you is I honestly had no interest in working with anybody whose work I looked at when I looked at Chicago and UIUC. In the former case, the people whose work interested me were widely reported to be jerks, and in the latter case the people whose work was interesting to me were retiring, but you really need to shop around and look at the professors and their research yourself. CMU/Pittsburgh have a joint program which would also give you access to the Pitt faculty.