What is the syllabus for a B.Sc. (Hons) Physics program in the US?

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the differences between undergraduate and graduate degree structures in various countries, particularly focusing on the B.Sc. (Hons) Physics program. In the US, a bachelor's degree typically requires four years of study, while in countries like India and Austria, a B.Sc. can be completed in three years. This discrepancy raises questions about eligibility for US master's programs, which generally accept applicants based on their completed degree rather than its duration. Participants emphasize the importance of understanding these educational frameworks to avoid confusion when discussing international qualifications.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of international education systems (US, UK, India, Austria)
  • Familiarity with degree structures (B.Sc., M.Sc., undergraduate vs. graduate)
  • Knowledge of admission requirements for US graduate programs
  • Awareness of course content differences in physics programs across countries
NEXT STEPS
  • Research US graduate program admission requirements for international students
  • Explore the curriculum differences between B.Sc. programs in the US and other countries
  • Investigate the evaluation process for foreign degrees by US institutions
  • Learn about the structure and content of M.Sc. programs in the US
USEFUL FOR

International students considering graduate studies in the US, academic advisors, and educational institutions evaluating foreign qualifications.

Sourabh N
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This year I'll join B.Sc.(Hons) Physics. Its a 3 year course. I've heard that for doing a master degree in US requires 4 years of study. Will I be able to do master deg in US.
 
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A masters takes 2 years.
 
No, he's asking if he can apply for a master degree in the US when his bachelor degree took only 3 years (compared to 4 years in the US).
 
I see a possible source of confusion here, and it stems from people not clearly indicating where they are, and what educational system they are used to. If you neglect to do that, then expect to get very confusing answers.

In the US, a "Masters Degree" or M.Sc is a "GRADUATE" degree. It is something you enroll AFTER you have completed an undergraduate degree (i.e. you have a B.Sc). This normally takes 2 years to complete BEYOND the undergraduate degree.

Now, this is not true elsewhere. In the UK, you can enroll, as an undergraduate, in a "M.Sc" degree, which often requires an extra year of undergraduate studies. Whether this is equivalent to what we call a Masters degree in the US depends entirely on the US institution that is evaluating that degree.

I have written already https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=897052&postcount=105" if people want to read it. Let this be a warning to everyone. There are people from all over the world on here, and if you neglect to explain where you are and what you are familiar with, many of the responses will assume one way or the other.

Zz.
 
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Well, I don't know how about the OP, but I'm studying in Austria and we have a three year bachelor degrees here. After completing the bachelor degree you apply for a 2 year master degree (and after that you can apply for a 3 year Phd.).

As far as I know the usual bachelor degree in the US takes 4 years. Now the question is (and I think that is what the OP is also asking) can you apply for a master degree in the US when your bachelor degree took only 3 years?
 
r4nd0m said:
Well, I don't know how about the OP, but I'm studying in Austria and we have a three year bachelor degrees here. After completing the bachelor degree you apply for a 2 year master degree (and after that you can apply for a 3 year Phd.).

As far as I know the usual bachelor degree in the US takes 4 years. Now the question is (and I think that is what the OP is also asking) can you apply for a master degree in the US when your bachelor degree took only 3 years?

Most US universities only care that you have the appropriate baccalaureate degree. How long it takes for you to get that is irrelevant. If you don't have the sufficient background, you just won't pass your qualifier.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
Now, this is not true elsewhere. In the UK, you can enroll, as an undergraduate, in a "M.Sc" degree, which often requires an extra year of undergraduate studies. Whether this is equivalent to what we call a Masters degree in the US depends entirely on the US institution that is evaluating that degree.

I'm not sure that I agree there-- even in the UK, "MSc" degrees (for the majority) are graduate masters degrees; i.e. applicants to an MSc program are required to hold a bachelor degree. These masters degrees take one full year of study.

Now, the undergraduate masters degrees that you are talking about are four year degrees and do not require a bachelors degree beforehand. (Officially these are classed as "higher first degrees," although they are each called "master of ...") On graduation, one obtains an undergraduate masters degree, and no bachelor degree. The easy way of differentiating between an undergrad masters and a postgrad masters is by the letters-- undergrad masters degress have letters "MSci, MPhys, MMath, MEng" as opposed to the postgrad masters "MSc."
 
r4nd0m said:
No, he's asking if he can apply for a master degree in the US when his bachelor degree took only 3 years (compared to 4 years in the US).

its just B.Sc. degree that takes 3 years. BE or BTech or anything takes 4 years(anywhere in the world, not in only US)
 
cristo said:
I'm not sure that I agree there-- even in the UK, "MSc" degrees (for the majority) are graduate masters degrees; i.e. applicants to an MSc program are required to hold a bachelor degree. These masters degrees take one full year of study.

Now, the undergraduate masters degrees that you are talking about are four year degrees and do not require a bachelors degree beforehand. (Officially these are classed as "higher first degrees," although they are each called "master of ...") On graduation, one obtains an undergraduate masters degree, and no bachelor degree. The easy way of differentiating between an undergrad masters and a postgrad masters is by the letters-- undergrad masters degress have letters "MSci, MPhys, MMath, MEng" as opposed to the postgrad masters "MSc."

That is what I meant, the "undergraduate masters degree" but I didn't state it accurately. For those of us here in the US, an "undergraduate masters degree" sounds like an oxymoron, since a masters degree in anything always meant a post-graduate degree.

Zz.
 
  • #10
Sorry for creating the confusion. I am from India. I hope I am much clear now. I can do M.Sc. in US after B.Sc. in India(whether B.Sc. is 3 or 4 year long). Please correct me if I have some misunderstanding.
 
  • #11
That is correct Sourabh - the US Masters will accept you based on your degree and any entry tests they want to do.
Assuming Indian degrees are similair to what UK ones used to be, you might be ahead of a similair US 4 year degree since US degrees generally require many more courses outside the speciality (major) whereas you probably studied nothing but physics+maths.
 
  • #12
thank you very much to all.
 
  • #13
Sourabh, I'm curious as to how your degree is only 3 yrs. What sort of things do they cut back on? Is it what mgb_phys said?
 
  • #14
ranger said:
Sourabh, I'm curious as to how your degree is only 3 yrs. What sort of things do they cut back on? Is it what mgb_phys said?

I'm not sure it's that easy to say what is "cut back on" without knowing what's learned in a typical US degree :wink:. Standard Bachelors degrees here (in the UK) are 3 years, and I've heard some people say that UK graduates have learned "more" than their US counterparts, although this may just be a myth. It may be due to the reason that mgb_phys gives.
 
  • #15
Yes, UK schools require you to take a full workload of courses related to your major, without the option to do other classes... compared to American universities, where they require you to take classes outside the scope of your degree.
 
  • #16
hellllllllooooooooooooooo. only B.Sc takes 3 yrs in india. all other degrees like BE or BTech takes 4
 
  • #17
Office_Shredder said:
compared to American universities, where they require you to take classes outside the scope of your degree.

hahaha, here too(in India, i mean) they teach you everything outside the scope of degree
 
  • #18
In addition in UK schools from 16-18 you (used to) only take 3 courses specialising in the same thing as your degree.
So from 16 you might do physics+maths+chemistry possibly further maths then in your degree only do physics.
Most universities then require no other courses at all, I remember having to get special permission to take a computer science course and that was only allowed because it was a member of the physics dept teaching it.
 
  • #19
Though I have no idea of what the US degree holders learn I can show you my syllabus.

The following is the semester-wise schedule of courses for the B.Sc. (Honours) Programme in Physics.

Semester I
Algebra I
Calculus I
Classical Mechanics I
Humanities I
Introduction to Programming
Semester II
Calculus II
Classical Mechanics II
Electromagnetism I
Humanities II
Statistical Physics I
Semester III
Mathematical Physics
Calculus III
Quantum Mechanics I
Properties of Matter
Semester IV
Analysis II
Electromagnetism II
Quantum Mechanics II
Atomic and Molecular Physics
Semester V
Quantum Mechanics III
Statistical Physics II
Laboratory I
Optional I
Semester VI
Computational Methods
Laboratory II
Optional II
Optional III

If possible show me your syllabus also.
 

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