I really want to do research in advanced physics

[Pankaj12790]

Hi I am new to this forum . I have almost completed my b.e in electronics n comm here in India and I really want to do research in advanced physics like quantum mechanics ... But as of now I am really clueless on what can I do for that to happen... Please any suggestions will be helpfull

Thank you

 

[micromass]

First you need to find a good university and get an undergraduate degree (bachelors) in physics.

 

[Pankaj12790]

First you need to find a good university and get an undergraduate degree (bachelors) in physics.

Yes but I am already doing a bachelor degree in electronics and comm

 

[micromass]

Yes but I am already doing a bachelor degree in electronics and comm

That's not going to be a great help for physics like quantum mechanics. I would suggest changing your major to physics.

I you haven't done a major in physics, then it is still possible to go to grad school in physics, but this will be very difficult. Read this thread: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=64966
Basically, you will have to self-study a lot, and you will have to do extremely well on admission tests such as the GRE (or the variant they use in India). But even then, it will be challenging for you. The best option is to do a bachelors degree in physics.

 

[Snow-Leopard]

In which year of BE you are currently in. If you are doing any Physics Summer Course or Internship in Experimental Physics. then go to directly Masters Course in Physics.

 

[StatOnTheSide]

It is interesting that you have a degree in ECE and you wish to change to Physics.

Engineering physics is different. You will learn physics but that will be enough to do engineering with it. You can get an Mtech from IIT Bombay as they are really good in that field.

In case you want to do research in physics, as micromass suggested, the only way out is to get a degree in physics.

Not to be discouraging but it is a very difficult field to be in. I feel that the most critical thing there is to get the right mentor to help you get a good hang of how to think when you become a physics researcher. These days, there is a lot of competition and it is very hard to get good guidance for research.

Also, this is the age when you feel like doing research and all that. After crossing 30, you will feel the need to get married and have a family. As a physics major, it takes a long time to get settled and then the salary won't be that good if you take up teaching. Women like men who earn decently and if they have options, they usually pick men who earn more.

These are some practical aspects and I have seen it happen. Please think carefully before changing fields. You have already invested time getting an engineering degree. Be very careful when it comes to changing fields at this point in your life.

I am sure other people have different views. Situation is different for different people. I am an Indian and I know exactly how it works in India. A big factor for Indian men is that beyond 30, it is tough to get a woman to get married to as men are considered too old. With factors like this and the ones related to low salary, you really have to ask yourself if it is worth all the sacrifice. In the west, you can afford to take that risk of going into pure science as the salary is modest for a professor here. The situation is very different if you are in India.