Good Places To Learn About These Subjects?

[l2udolph]

Hello. I'm new here. I wasn't exactly sure where I should post this topic so.. I decided to post it here. Well, anyways.. I'm really interested in these subjects (I'll provide a list below), and I want to learn more about them. I was hoping someone could provide some good resources like names of books and articles on them that I could read. This is completely independent study and isn't for school.

Photonics
Photonic Computing
Quantum Physics
Quantum Computing
Electrical Engineering
Computer Science
Computer Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Computing
DNA Computing
...
Lol, yes, I'm really interested in computers. I plan on becoming a Computer Engineer when I get out of high school in a few years. I want to implement new ideas and possibly revolutionize computing. I already have a good understanding of how Binary computers work. In fact, I'm designing my own CPU at the moment... Well, anyways, thank you for helping me (if you did). I hope to find some great resources that will help me learn from posts on this page. :)

 

[fss]

www.google.com

 

[Schr0d1ng3r]

Well, I have no idea where in the world you live, but if you're interested in going to Uni in Canada, the program that I'm in (McMaster Engineering Physics) has a good Photonics Engineering stream which also encompasses a lot of quantum mechanics (SQUIDS, quantum dots, etc) and electronics. As for computer-related stuff, my impression is that most accredited comp eng programs are all fairly reputable, but that's not really my area, so I couldn't say for sure. Hope this helps.

 

[physics girl phd]

...when I get out of high school in a few years. I want to implement new ideas and possibly revolutionize computing. I already have a good understanding of how Binary computers work. In fact, I'm designing my own CPU at the moment... Well, anyways, thank you for helping me (if you did). I hope to find some great resources that will help me learn from posts on this page. :)

It's great to be ambitious (and your list of interests is too long to provide specifics), and try to read up on things that interest you. But at this stage (high school), you really need to be sure you aren't jumping ahead of the game and get a solid foundation in the basics: math (including calculus), the sciences (biology/chemistry/physics), and computing (which you sound like you've done and started to excel at). If you've met those early,take the AP classes that you can, and possibly look into some intro level coursework at a local university (if your schools AP coursework isn't great)?

Really make sure you thoroughly know the basics from your present coursework. Additionally, have some fun reading some popular magazine articles on your interests (like Scientific American, etc. -- and maybe look into some intro level courses). Then maybe look up the "real" research journal articles if you can (these would typically be the articles by the author(s) research groups... or those by groups whose work is referenced in the article). You might not understand those, but they might give you a better "taste". These little tastes will help you narrow your interests... and perhaps even steer you a much different direction in science.

Additionally, if you feel you have the basics down (some select few at your stage MIGHT), look at some universities' coursework/degree programs, and see if you can find any syllabi for the courses (in the order they might be taken in the program). Those might have texts listed... find (possibly old) editions online or at used bookstores, or maybe take a trip to the local universities' bookstores at the beginning of a term?

Also: Try to not be too ambitious and "burn out" (I've seen it happen when students become too focused too early). Having specific (non-book-work) projects (like your CPU project) probably help prevent this. Also: Does your school have a Science Olympics team or similar? That kind of recreational and social interaction might be good too, if you don't already have other extra-curricular involvements that might help prevent burnout.

 

[l2udolph]

@Schr0d1ng3r

Well, I have no idea where in the world you live, but if you're interested in going to Uni in Canada, the program that I'm in (McMaster Engineering Physics) has a good Photonics Engineering stream which also encompasses a lot of quantum mechanics (SQUIDS, quantum dots, etc) and electronics. As for computer-related stuff, my impression is that most accredited comp eng programs are all fairly reputable, but that's not really my area, so I couldn't say for sure. Hope this helps.

Actually, I plan on going to MIT (hopefully). But, at the moment I am too young to go to a university, I am going to be a sophomore in high school.


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@physics girl phd

get a solid foundation in the basics: math (including calculus), the sciences (biology/chemistry/physics), and computing (which you sound like you've done and started to excel at).

I have a good understanding of math, I'm pretty strong in math (currently, I'm going to take Pre-Calculus and I've taken trig..), so, I think I'm good there. I'm sure I have a basic understanding of those three sciences, mainly physics though.

If you've met those early,take the AP classes that you can, and possibly look into some intro level coursework at a local university (if your schools AP coursework isn't great)?

My school does have a good AP class program for almost everything, but, they are not available to me. They will not allow me to take them because I am not in the correct grade. I do not have a university near me, or one that is not within an hours drive anyways. But, what I do have is a community college that is very near, should I look there?

Then maybe look up the "real" research journal articles if you can (these would typically be the articles by the author(s) research groups... or those by groups whose work is referenced in the article).

Yes but, where can I find these?

You might not understand those, but they might give you a better "taste". These little tastes will help you narrow your interests... and perhaps even steer you a much different direction in science.

The list of things I gave was just things I want to learn more about. What I want to become and am looking forward to is a computer engineer. For the past few years I've worked with circuits. I've studied electrical engineering and how computing works for awhile now, and I've developed a passion for it. I find it very... enjoyable (in a way I've almost developed an obsession for it. Whenever I see an electronic device or something I will try to work it out in my head different ways it could work and be designed. I've dreamed it as well, lol). I have a large 'foundation' in electrical physics. I enjoy learning about these things, also, it could help me in the future with computer engineering. If these ways of computing were successful and were implemented into computers, I would have a better understanding of how they work and how to make them work.

Also: Try to not be too ambitious and "burn out" (I've seen it happen when students become too focused too early). Having specific (non-book-work) projects (like your CPU project) probably help prevent this.

What exactly do you mean by 'burn out'?

Also: Does your school have a Science Olympics team or similar? That kind of recreational and social interaction might be good too, if you don't already have other extra-curricular involvements that might help prevent burnout.

No, my high school does not. Or, at least none that I could find. The only extra-curricular school activity I'm really involved in is.. with my saxophone. Lol.