Experimental Physics post Maths degree?

[Pyroadept]

Hi everyone, I'm currently doing a joint Pure Maths/Maths Physics degree (I did Experimental Physics in first year of college), but am thinking I may have made the wrong choice. If I go on and finish it, what are my options for getting into Experimental Physics? Would I have to go back and do another undergrad degree or are there post-grad options?
Thanks for any help

 

[arunma]

You said you're doing a mathematical physics degree. Did you take undergrad classical mechanics and E&M? If you took these along with either quantum or stat mech, you should be able to get into a graduate program under the provision that you take the remaining undergrad class(es) your first year. I'm guessing you didn't take a course in experimental physics, but this shouldn't be a big deal, you'll just have to learn experimental techniques on the fly when you're doing research. Once you get admission to grad school, you can potentially work for any research group, and they'll teach you what you need to know. So I think you've got quite a few options.

If you tell me what courses you've taken, I could probably be more helpful.

 

[Pyroadept]

You said you're doing a mathematical physics degree. Did you take undergrad classical mechanics and E&M? If you took these along with either quantum or stat mech, you should be able to get into a graduate program under the provision that you take the remaining undergrad class(es) your first year. I'm guessing you didn't take a course in experimental physics, but this shouldn't be a big deal, you'll just have to learn experimental techniques on the fly when you're doing research. Once you get admission to grad school, you can potentially work for any research group, and they'll teach you what you need to know. So I think you've got quite a few options.

If you tell me what courses you've taken, I could probably be more helpful.

Hi, on the Mathematical Physics side, my undergrad course does classical mechanics, classical field theory, quantum mechanics, statistical physics, quantum field theory, classical electrodynamics and relativity.

 

[arunma]

Well, mechanics, E&M, quantum, and stat mech form the backbone of any physics BS. You've got these classes, so you're certainly qualified for PhD work. If you're still in undergrad it wouldn't hurt to take an experimental physics class. Usually it will be called "Methods of Experimental Physics," or something like that. But even otherwise, with a good GPA and physics GRE score, you wouldn't have any problem getting into graduate school, at which point you could join an experimental research group.