The discussion focuses on comparing the PhD programs in computational physics at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) with those at Harvard, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Participants explore aspects such as research opportunities, faculty interests, and program strengths, particularly in relation to computational biology and theoretical soft matter physics.
Participants do not reach a consensus on the comparative strengths of the programs at CMU versus those at Harvard, Chicago, and UIUC. Multiple competing views regarding faculty quality and research opportunities remain present.
Participants express varying degrees of interest in specific faculty and research areas, indicating that personal preferences and perceptions significantly influence their evaluations of the programs. There is also uncertainty regarding the existence of joint programs in theoretical physics between CMU and Pitt.
Prospective PhD students interested in computational physics, computational biology, and theoretical soft matter physics may find this discussion relevant as they evaluate different programs and faculty research opportunities.
YesGreg Bernhardt said:CMU is Carnegie Mellon University?
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?Arsenic&Lace said: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.
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.Aniket1 said: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?