How can I fill course requirements for Physics Master's program?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the challenges faced by a second-year Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) student who aspires to enter a physics master's program in Europe but lacks the required undergraduate physics courses due to the absence of a physics department at their university. The conversation explores potential pathways to fulfill these course requirements, including self-study, transferring to another university, and the relevance of related courses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) expresses a strong desire to pursue a physics master's program despite lacking the necessary undergraduate physics courses, which are not offered at their current university.
  • One participant suggests that it would be extremely difficult to succeed in a master's program without the requisite background and recommends considering transferring to a university with a physics department.
  • Another participant proposes looking for courses that are closely related to the required physics courses, such as physical chemistry and advanced mechanics, which may cover relevant topics.
  • There is a suggestion that the OP should confirm with potential master's programs whether these alternative courses would be acceptable and competitive for admission.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the OP faces significant challenges in meeting the course requirements for a physics master's program. However, there are differing views on the best approach to address this issue, including whether to transfer universities or pursue related courses.

Contextual Notes

Participants emphasize the importance of directly contacting universities to clarify what courses would be considered acceptable for admission, highlighting the variability in program requirements.

GnrEmr
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I am a 2nd year EEE student. I have a great passion for physics, when I have free time I self study physics. My dream is to enter a physics master's program in the EU and then do Physics PhD in Europe.

While many physics graduate programs do not exclude engineering students, they all require me to have taken the required undergraduate physics courses. However, my university is a small local university, so we do not have a physics department. While many physics master programs in EU do not exclude engineering students, they all require me to have taken the required undergraduate physics courses. However, since my university is a small local university, we do not have a physics department. Therefore, many of the required undergraduate physics courses (Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics) are not offered.

What should I do? I really want to be a physicist. I can't imagine doing anything different. I don't have any financial expectations, I just need to not starve. Is there anything I can do about it? Maybe taking Physics GRE? If not, my only option is to drop out of university and prepare for the university entrance exam again.
 
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It will be extremely difficult for you to succeed in a Masters Physics program without the requisite undergraduate physics background. If your heart is really set on this, what are your options for transferring to a university with a physics department (your profile says you're in Germany; I'm in the US)?

If you're considering some other option (such as self-study and placement exams), you should contact several universities that you would consider for a Masters Physics program, and ask them directly what would be viable ... after all, their decisions are dispositive.
 
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If you are unable to switch universities, you really need to look for courses that are close. For example, depending on how it is taught, physical chemistry is a version of quantum mechanics. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics are taught in advanced mechanics courses in engineering.
 
Frabjous said:
If you are unable to switch universities, you really need to look for courses that are close. For example, depending on how it is taught, physical chemistry is a version of quantum mechanics. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics are taught in advanced mechanics courses in engineering.
But before the OP goes this route, the OP should confirm directly with universities of potential Masters Physics programs that these would be acceptable, correct? [ETA: Not just acceptable, but competitive.]
 
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CrysPhys said:
But before the OP goes this route, the OP should confirm directly with universities of potential Masters Physics programs that these would be acceptable, correct? [ETA: Not just acceptable, but competitive.]
Of course.
 

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