How do I do research post-baccalaureate?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges and options for engaging in research after completing a bachelor's degree in physics or mathematics, particularly for individuals considering graduate school without a clear research focus. Participants explore various pathways for gaining research experience and the implications of their backgrounds.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about how to pursue research in an academic setting after completing their degree, suggesting applying to REUs as a potential pathway.
  • Another participant points out that individuals who have already graduated are ineligible for REU programs and questions the relevance of a BS in math for applying to physics graduate programs.
  • A participant shares their background in physics and previous research experiences, indicating a preference for independent research in fluids over nuclear electronics.
  • It is suggested that having undergraduate research experience and good grades may suffice for applying to graduate school, regardless of the specific area of research.
  • One participant advises that it is acceptable to enter graduate school without a definitive research focus, as students can explore various fields during their initial years.
  • A comment reflects on the nature of research work, suggesting that if a participant finds certain tasks unfulfilling, it may indicate that a career in research physics may not be suitable for them.
  • A participant clarifies their situation, indicating they have time before applying to graduate school and are seeking ways to engage in research without being a graduate student, expressing a desire to work with their hands and a preference for experimental work.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of having a clear research interest before applying to graduate school, with some suggesting it is not essential while others emphasize the importance of research experience. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach for post-baccalaureate research opportunities.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the lack of clarity on specific research opportunities available to post-baccalaureate students and the varying definitions of eligibility for graduate programs based on academic backgrounds.

huhConfused
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I would like to go onto grad-school in physics, however I don't have a clear research interest. How should I go about doing research in an academic setting? Should I apply to a few REUs and go from there? I also have a BS in math, so that is a possibility as well, and I have done previous research without finding a strong interest.
 
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If you've already graduate from college, you're not eligible for REU programs. What kind of physics background do you have? A BS in math does not qualify you to apply to graduate programs in physics.
 
I have a BS in physics as well, with a good GPA. I've done research in particle and materials, however most of this was in construction of a PAC spectrometer and testing of PMTs, so it's really been entirely nuclear electronics. That was fun for a little bit, but it grinds away at your will to live eventually. I did research independently in the math dept. in fluids, which I found the most interesting. That's my background in a nutshell.
 
just take the GREs and apply to grad school if you already have ugrad research experience (doesnt matter which area) and good grades. grad schools want to see that you are interested in research at all, it doesn't matter what area it was in or whether or not you have a primary focus picked out.
 
huhConfused said:
I would like to go onto grad-school in physics, however I don't have a clear research interest.

Assuming you're in the USA, you don't necessarily have to have made a definite decision about your research field in order to enter graduate school. Go to a school that does research in areas that you might be interested in. You can talk to people there, and work in different fields, and make up your mind during the first couple of years, while you're doing your coursework.

During my first summer in graduate school, I worked in a low-temperature lab, but I ended up doing my dissertation in experimental high-energy particle physics.
 
huhConfused said:
but it grinds away at your will to live eventually

Then you've learned something valuable - that a career as a research physicist is not for you. This kind of repetitive checking a zillion things out even though they probably don't matter is the very nature of the job. If that's not for you, neither is the job.
 
I think I should have been more specific about my motivations. I have over a year to kill since I'm taking the GRE in April, and applying the following fall. I have no idea what to do in the meantime, other than my current job (which is unrelated to physics).

I'm not opposed to being a research physicist at all. I enjoy working with my hands (currently I'm working as carpenter's apprentice), and two of my favorite classes were analog and digital. I'm just, for the time being, sick of nuclear electronics.

To rephrase my question: What ways exist for doing post-baccalaureate research without being a graduate student?
 

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