Currently doing undergraduate research, but on career path

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics student's concerns regarding their current undergraduate research project in computer science, which is part of a scientific collaboration. The student expresses a desire to transition to a more physics-oriented research opportunity, particularly in general relativity (GR), and seeks advice on how to approach a theoretical physicist at their university.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • The student is currently involved in a computer science project aimed at developing artificial intelligence for researchers, but feels it does not align with their passion for physics.
  • Some participants suggest that the student should consider their lack of experience in GR when approaching a professor for research opportunities.
  • There is a discussion about the possibility of engaging in computational GR or cosmology, which may not require extensive prior knowledge of GR.
  • The student expresses concern about potentially jeopardizing future research opportunities with their professors if they choose not to continue the current project.
  • Participants propose that the student inquire whether the professor typically accepts undergraduates for GR projects as a starting point for discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the student should explore opportunities in GR or related fields, but there is no consensus on the best approach or the feasibility of transitioning from their current project.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the student's uncertainty regarding their qualifications for GR research and the implications of their current project on future opportunities. There is also a lack of clarity about available courses or programs related to GR at the student's university.

Who May Find This Useful

Undergraduate students considering research opportunities in physics, particularly those interested in transitioning from interdisciplinary projects to more focused physics research.

fu11meta1
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Hey all!

I am currently doing a computer science project for a scientific collaboration at an REU this summer. I am a physics student and I plan to be a researcher one day. I really do not want to continue this project for two main reasons:

I simply do not know the computer science required(Would be a great learning experience though) and that this is not actually a physics project, but rather only to help the collaboration.

The project is to develop an artificial intelligence to help the researchers themselves. I'm curious that if I decide not to continue this project, my professors involved in this collaboration will not allow me to do undergrad research for them anymore. I really enjoy studying physics; it's my passion. If you guys could give me some advice. I've also been thinking of testing the waters in GR with a theoretical physicist at my University. How could I approach him? I also need to provide an undergrad thesis in 2 years

Thanks! I owe you all a lot
 
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fu11meta1 said:
I've also been thinking of testing the waters in GR with a theoretical physicist at my University. How could I approach him?

Well for starters, have you taken GR before?
 
@WannabeNewton
I have not haha. Which is the biggest problem, I understand. I don't believe my university has an undergrad GR course though
 
fu11meta1 said:
@WannabeNewton
I have not haha. Which is the biggest problem, I understand. I don't believe my university has an undergrad GR course though

It might not be. It all depends on how much experience the professor you want to work with has with undergrads wanting to do GR research. Presumably you aren't the first to ever ask him/her. It would be hard, practically impossible, to give you a truly full blown GR project when you don't know any GR. But you can always do computational GR. Here you certainly will not need to know any GR at all in the start, youll just need to know basic coding concepts and possibly languages like Fortran which doesn't seem like it would be a problem for you. This is assuming you have an undergrad computational GR program at your university. You can also do cosmology if there is a professor you can work with on that. You really don't need to know any GR to do cosmology.

I would approach the professor of interest by asking if he/she normally considers undergrads for GR projects to begin with. You can take it from there.
 
Thanks! This is definitely helpful. I've heard a lot of physics merges with computer science. I'm not that big of a fan of computer science or coding, however I do know how to use some languages. One reason why I don't want to continue doing the first project is because I feel it does not relate to physics research. I also however don't want to lose a shot at doing research with the collaboration too
 

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