How to best transition from a BS in Math & Bio to an MS/PhD in Physics?

[Manchimp]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice on how to transition into a physics graduate program (MS or PhD) given a highly unconventional undergraduate background. Due to financial constraints, I had to attend an in-state institution that offered me a full ride, but unfortunately, the school does not have a physics department. The only courses available here are freshman-level introductory physics. Because of this limitation, I pivoted my studies and am currently completing a dual bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Chemical Biology. Despite the lack of a formal physics program, my ultimate goal is to pursue research in physics.

While my math background gives me a solid foundation in tools like calculus and differential equations, and my chemical biology degree covers the domain knowledge for my target specialties, I completely lack upper-level physics coursework like Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, and E&M. I’m wondering what the best way is to prove to admissions committees that I can handle graduate-level physics. Should I look into post-baccalaureate programs, or try to register as a non-degree student at a nearby university? Furthermore, how can I secure physics-related research experience when my university lacks a physics faculty, and are REUs open to students with my specific background. Finally, I guess what programs would y”all recommend for a person with my background?

 

[CrysPhys]

Do you have any idea of which branch of physics you want to pursue? Would biophysics be of interest to you?

 

[Choppy]

I completely lack upper-level physics coursework like Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, and E&M. I’m wondering what the best way is to prove to admissions committees that I can handle graduate-level physics.

I suspect you already know the answer.
The best way to prove to admissions committees that you'll be successful with graduate-level physics is by successfully completing an undergraduate degree in physics.
At the risk of reducing this to an analogy, it's like you want to get to Physicsville, but you got on a bus headed to Biochemmath Town because the ticket was cheaper. You can still get to Physicsville, but the sooner you hop on the right bus, the easier it will be.

 

[Manchimp]

Do you have any idea of which branch of physics you want to pursue? Would biophysics be of interest to you?

Yes, I was thinking of doing either biophysics or chemical physics.

 

[berkeman]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice on how to transition into a physics graduate program (MS or PhD) given a highly unconventional undergraduate background.

I suspect you already know the answer.

You are getting good advice from our Academic Advisors in this thread, but I have a question to ask that hopefully you have already considered. Have you taken the PGRE in preparation for any Physics graduate school applications? Some graduate schools don't require it anymore, but it's still a good benchmark for how well prepared you are for Physics graduate school work.

I'm guessing that given your background you will not be able to post a PGRE score that will qualify you for Physics graduate schools. Do you have some ideas for how to fill out that missing knowledge and skills?

 

[CrysPhys]

Yes, I was thinking of doing either biophysics or chemical physics.

I'll see if I can pull up a previous post of mine. There are interdisciplinary PhD Biophysics programs. If I recall correctly, there were a couple in which you could apply with either a physics or a bio undergrad degree. You were given time to do remedial work in your non-major. I.e., physics majors would do remedial bio work, and bio majors would do remedial physics work. Maybe similar programs for chemical physics (don't recall). As long as you don't plan on something far astray such as high-energy particle physics, this might be a viable route. Could you clarify what your degree in Chemical Biology entails? Not familiar with that one.

 

[Manchimp]

I was thinking of research in Biophysics or Material Science, so more interdisciplinary programs are fine with me.

My degree is effectively a Biochemistry major with a heavier emphasis on biology coursework. To break it down:
Biology: Core sequence up to Genetics, including Cell Biology and a Senior Biology Seminar.

Chemistry: General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and a two-semester sequence of Physical Chemistry (I & II).

Math/Physics: Calculus I & II and two semesters of calculus-based University Physics with labs.



If necessary I can drop my degree in Bio into a minor and graduate a year early with just my bs in math. Then use that year and the extra scholarship money to take physics classes I would need, but that kind of a last resort because I'm really enjoy my biology degree.

 

[Manchimp]

You are getting good advice from our Academic Advisors in this thread, but I have a question to ask that hopefully you have already considered. Have you taken the PGRE in preparation for any Physics graduate school applications? Some graduate schools don't require it anymore, but it's still a good benchmark for how well prepared you are for Physics graduate school work.

I'm guessing that given your background you will not be able to post a PGRE score that will qualify you for Physics graduate schools. Do you have some ideas for how to fill out that missing knowledge and skills?

I was thinking of either taking the physics classes over the next couple summers at another university or during a Post-Baccalaureate Program for physics after I graduate.

 

[bhobba]

I would look into a mathematical physics program, such as:

https://physics.uiowa.edu/research/mathematical-physics.

Keep options open.

Thanks
Bill

 

[CrysPhys]

I was thinking of research in Biophysics or Material Science, so more interdisciplinary programs are fine with me.

My degree is effectively a Biochemistry major with a heavier emphasis on biology coursework. To break it down:
Biology: Core sequence up to Genetics, including Cell Biology and a Senior Biology Seminar.

Chemistry: General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and a two-semester sequence of Physical Chemistry (I & II).

Math/Physics: Calculus I & II and two semesters of calculus-based University Physics with labs.



If necessary I can drop my degree in Bio into a minor and graduate a year early with just my bs in math. Then use that year and the extra scholarship money to take physics classes I would need, but that kind of a last resort because I'm really enjoy my biology degree.

This might be helpful:

I'm not a biophysicist, and I hope that a biophysicist will reply to you. I did look into biophysics programs for a student several years ago. Here's some info that might help.

There are multiple avenues to a biophysics PhD, depending on the school. E.g., (a) You can apply for a regular PhD physics program, and pick a thesis advisor specializing in biophysics; (b) You an apply for an interdisciplinary biophysics PhD program, jointly administered by the physics and biology depts. Typically, a student with a physics undergrad will apply through the physics dept, and a student with a biology undergrad will apply through the biology dept. The PhD program provides opportunity for physics students to make up deficiencies in biology, and for biology students to make up deficiencies in physics; (c) You can apply for a dedicated biophysics PhD program. Some are not affiliated with the physics or biology depts, but with schools of medicine.

A key point is these programs specialize in different aspects of biophysics and have different incoming undergrad requirements or recommendations. Some programs have fairly general requirements or recommendations. But Stanford has interesting ones. Under recommended undergrad courses, they don't list any specific physics or biology courses, but they do list the following (https://med.stanford.edu/biophysics/admissions/course-requirements.html):

The recommendations for applying to the Ph.D. Program in Biophysics include:

Course	Title	Units
CHEM 123	Organic Polyfunctional Compounds	3
CHEM 171	Physical Chemistry I	4
CHEM 173	Physical Chemistry II	3
CHEM 175	Physical Chemistry III	3
BIOC 200	Applied Biochemistry	2

Four chem and one biochem!Fortunately, you've identified your area of future research:


So I'd recommend you work backwards. Develop a candidate list of biophysics PhD programs that do research in your field of interest. Are the authors of the paper associated with universities? If so, that would be a good place to start. Then check the programs on your candidate list for their specific requirements or recommendations for undergrad courses.