Getting a Ph.D. in a subject unrelated to undergraduate projects?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges and concerns of applying for physics Ph.D. positions when the applicant's undergraduate and master's projects are unrelated to their desired research areas, specifically in inertial confinement fusion, particle, or nuclear physics. The conversation explores the implications of having a background in a different field, such as semiconductors, and the perceived disadvantages of this situation.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about being disadvantaged in Ph.D. applications due to a lack of relevant experience in their desired fields of study.
  • Another participant reassures that it is common for individuals to pursue Ph.D. research in areas different from their undergraduate studies, citing personal examples of successful transitions between fields.
  • Some participants argue that skills learned during undergraduate research, such as research methodology and critical thinking, are transferable and valuable regardless of the specific topic.
  • There is a suggestion that having a physics degree and good exam grades can be sufficient qualifications for pursuing a Ph.D., emphasizing the importance of learning how to learn rather than just the content knowledge.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that transitioning to a different research area for a Ph.D. is common and can be beneficial. However, the initial concern about being disadvantaged remains unresolved, as some participants acknowledge the worry while others downplay its significance.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects varying perspectives on the relevance of prior research experience and the importance of transferable skills, but does not resolve the question of how much prior experience impacts Ph.D. applications.

jeebs
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I am attempting to write applications for physics Ph.D. positions right now and I feel as if I am hitting a brick wall. I have "narrowed" it down to wanting to do a Ph.D. either related to inertial confinement fusion, particle or nuclear physics. I know I'm supposed to be advertising my skills and interest to potential project supervisors but aside from having good grades in the undergraduate modules covering the basics of these topics, I have nothing.

My masters year project I am doing now is based on semiconductors, which is clearly irrelevant to those Ph.D. topics. I have pretty much zero interest in condensed matter physics but just got stuck doing this semiconductor one because of a lottery due to there being too many students and not enough projects.

Am I severly disadvantaged here in trying to apply for some Ph.D. that I have no real experience in? Am I wasting my time?
Is this going to have massive implications for me, given that under no circumstances will I apply for a Ph.D. that I am not 100% enthusiastic about?
Literally the only things I have going for me are good exam grades and English being my first language.
 
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Happens all the time. Don't sweat it.
 
People do their PhD research on different topics than their undergraduate research all of the time. One of my friends did theoretical particle physics as an undergrad and is now doing experimental neurobiology for his PhD. It can often be very fruitful to move into a new research area as you will have skills that many of your peers do not have (for example, my physicist friend can build a new, complicated microscope to do his experiments, a task that many neurobiologists would find daunting).

An important thing about doing research as an undergrad is learning how research is done and how to think about research. These skills are transferable to whichever field you'd like to study.
 
Doesn't matter in the slightest.
 
jeebs said:
Literally the only things I have going for me are good exam grades and English being my first language.

And you'll have a physics degree. Any experience with research projects is valuable - at undergraduate it isn't so much about the things you know as it is about how you learn them.
 

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