Exploring Future Research Areas in Theoretical Physics: A Student's Dilemma

[Darth Frodo]

Hey guys I just signed up, I would like to say that this is a great site.

Firstly I am in 5th year. I am unaware of the US equivilant but I just have 5th and 6th year to complete before college.

I am worried. I wish to do theoretical physics in university. I wish to get a doctorate and become a professor and do research.

The problem is I am much more interested in general relativity as oppose to quantum theory. While I still find quantum theiry interesting I am wondering in 10 years time, will the only research available be in the Quantum area? And would a Bachalor degree in theoretical physics be more benificial then a degree in astrophysics

thanks

 

[fss]

I think it's safe to say that research in areas besides quantum physics will still be happening in 10 years.

And would a Bachalor degree in theoretical physics be more benificial then a degree in astrophysics

How does a bachelor's degree in "theoretical physics" differ from a degree in "normal physics" ? Most US institutions don't distinguish.

 

[fasterthanjoao]

Hey guys I just signed up, I would like to say that this is a great site.

Welcome!

Firstly I am in 5th year. I am unaware of the US equivilant but I just have 5th and 6th year to complete before college.

As in, UK high school?

I am worried. I wish to do theoretical physics in university. I wish to get a doctorate and become a professor and do research.

Right. Firstly, theoretical physics is a bit of a misnomer at undergraduate level. In a theoretical physics degree you'll do the same physics as a regular physics degree. Everything is basic at undergraduate level - it takes more than the full 4/5 years to get yourself a basic understanding in the lots of areas of physics that you'll cover - there is no time to make the distinction between theoretical and experimental (as far as research goes) - everyone has to do the same basics. The difference in a degree called 'theoretical physics' (and I have seen many of these spring up across the UK) is normally just that you'll drop a lab class or two, maybe a couple of lecture courses in physics and trade them up for standard maths courses. That is all. Also, it's great to plan ahead, but don't worry too much about your career path quite yet. It's great to plan, but bad to blindly stick to a plan. Just because you think you want to be an academic later in life doesn't mean you should ignore paths/opportunities that would be useful for other career paths. University is about building up your skillset - get as many skills as possible, whether they are useful for academia or not.

The problem is I am much more interested in general relativity as oppose to quantum theory. While I still find quantum theiry interesting I am wondering in 10 years time, will the only research available be in the Quantum area?

Why is that a problem..? The next point is that: you're still in high school. You won't have any of the machinery or tools to properly understand anything about general relativity or quantum mechanics. In all likelihood, the way that you think about these subjects will be from a romanticised popular science point of view which actually isn't all that useful. This means that quantum mechanics and general relativity probably aren't the subjects you think of them as. Sure, you'll have an idea that GR applies to big, massive and fast things, and QM is of the small, but other than that..

Next: don't worry about it. You haven't started studying physics properly yet: if you stick it out, finish a degree and fall in love with a part of physics it will likely be something you have barely even heard of just now, much less understand. Physics isn't as cut-and-dry as being GR or QM, no-one will feel the need to make the distinction of which one you "like the best". They are simply tools that can be applied to your true topic of interest. Related point: QM is done, it's an old theory (don't, however, mistake old to mean out-of-use) and I would have no qualms with now labelling it classical physics. It isn't being researched - it is, however, used in research.

And would a Bachalor degree in theoretical physics be more benificial then a degree in astrophysics

In terms of how you present yourself/skills you learn generally, there isn't really a difference. In astrophysics (or astronomy) you'll learn physics in different scenarios than you would otherwise. If you're interested in looking at astronomy type subject matter, have a look at curriculum and see what you think. I studied physics & astronomy and loved it.

 

[fasterthanjoao]

How does a bachelor's degree in "theoretical physics" differ from a degree in "normal physics" ? Most US institutions don't distinguish.

It's really just presented as a buzzword to attract people. Theoretical physics undergraduates here will normally drop a lab class or two, maybe a lecture course or two and replace it with standard math courses (that students taking a maths degree will have, so the math courses aren't even necessarily aimed towards physicists).

 

[Darth Frodo]

Thanks for the welcome!

Here are a couple of links to the courses of Interest.

http://www.tcd.ie/courses/undergraduate/az/course.php?id=100https://myucd.ucd.ie/program.do?programID=74http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/what/sefs/physics-astro/

 

[fasterthanjoao]

http://www.tcd.ie/courses/undergraduate/az/course.php?id=100


https://myucd.ucd.ie/program.do?programID=74


http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/what/sefs/physics-astro/

It looks as though all three offer astronomy courses to an extent, cosmology being a common factor. I think any of those would do well: just remember that a huge part of whether or not you'll be successful at university depends on more than just the course you're taking. As well as looking closely at the courses themselves, you should examine carefully whether or not you think you'll like living, traveling and generally being in each of the locales. Look at your hobbies, check and see if any of the universities are conducive to certain things you like to do outside of work.

 

[twofish-quant]

I am worried. I wish to do theoretical physics in university. I wish to get a doctorate and become a professor and do research.

The bad news is that you probably won't end up to be a professor. The good news is that there are a lot of other paths.

The problem is I am much more interested in general relativity as oppose to quantum theory. While I still find quantum theiry interesting I am wondering in 10 years time, will the only research available be in the Quantum area? And would a Bachalor degree in theoretical physics be more benificial then a degree in astrophysics

Don't try to plan things out right now. Go to college and figure out what you like best there.