How long does it take to earn a Ph.D. or M.S. in Physics or Mathematics?

[TimNguyen]

Well... How long did it take any of you guys to get your Ph.D. or even M.S. in Physics or Mathematics?

As of right now, I am double majoring in physics and math and will get a B.S. in physics and B.A. in math by next year, totalling 3 years. I'm just wondering how much more time I would need to dedicate to get the higher degrees.

Also... is it recommended to attempt getting both a physics and math masters' degree at the same time...? The reason I ask is because the two subject have so much correlation to each other so it would not be too difficult to sustain both subjects.

 

[Pengwuino]

As of right now, I am double majoring in physics and math and will get a B.S. in physics and B.A. in math by next year, totalling 3 years. I'm just wondering how much more time I would need to dedicate to get the higher degrees.

Also... is it recommended to attempt getting both a physics and math masters' degree at the same time...? The reason I ask is because the two subject have so much correlation to each other so it would not be too difficult to sustain both subjects.

1)My professors' consensus is that after BS, theoretical physicists take 6-7 years for their PhD and 7-8 for experimentalists.

2) Very recommended i bet

 

[fourier jr]

in Canada anyway, after you get your BS & want to become a master of it, i think they usually give you 2 years. some schools have a 1-year program geared for people who want to get the Piled Higher & Deeper, & it's more like a 5th-year of the BS than actually becoming a master of the BS. that's for math anyway. i think getting it piled higher & deeper takes ~3 years on top of that at most schools.

 

[Janitor]

I ain't got my PhD yet.

 

[hypnagogue]

administrative note: I'm moving this from General Discussion to Academic & Career Guidance

 

[ZapperZ]

I ain't got my PhD yet.

There's a PhD in Janitorial Science??!

<ZapperZ runs and hides from Janitor>

Zz.

 

[Quarkycharm]

About M.Sc in Physics, it depends on the instution. Most UK universities offer one-year programs after finishing a 3-year B.Sc course.

 

[rdt2]

I guess Tim is talking about the U.S system. An overview (much of which will be known to U.S students) is here:

http://www.usastudyguide.com/overview.htm