I'm a second Semester Sophmore Physics major, but my situation. .

In summary, you should start doing research when you are in your third year of a physics major. You should go to the office of your professors and show them that you are interested in doing research. You may not be paid, but you may be able to get help from the professor. You should also try to find a professor who is doing research that you are interested in. Good luck!
  • #1
americanforest
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I'm a second Semester Sophmore Physics major, but my situation is a bit different that what you would expect. I actually only switched major to Physics last year so I'm only taking Freshman Physics courses. I'm confused about the whole Research thing. Firstly, how does it work? Are you assigned to work with a professor by your advisor and help him do research? Second, I doubt they would take somebody who is still taking basic Physics classes to help with real research, so when do you think that I should start trying to start doing Research.

I understand that this is really important for a Physics major to get into a good graduate school so I want to start ASAP.
 
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  • #2
You can probably just read the webpages of some of the faculty and then contact those that interest you. If you ask your advisor (s)he might be able to give you a better idea of who is doing what and could use someone at your level.

At this point, I would think that someone doing experiment would be a better fit early on than theory. For one, you most likely won't need to know a lot of physics to be able to contribute. Secondly, there are probably a lot more positions available for experiment since it involves a lot of data collection.

Whatever you do, don't expect to "get it" the first time. Since research will be new, it is somewhat expected that you make some mistakes. If you have questions about what you're doing, don't hesitate to ask someone in your group. You'll probably save a lot of time and potential headache that way ;)

Good luck!
 
  • #3
americanforest said:
I'm a second Semester Sophmore Physics major, but my situation is a bit different that what you would expect. I actually only switched major to Physics last year so I'm only taking Freshman Physics courses. I'm confused about the whole Research thing. Firstly, how does it work? Are you assigned to work with a professor by your advisor and help him do research? Second, I doubt they would take somebody who is still taking basic Physics classes to help with real research, so when do you think that I should start trying to start doing Research.

I understand that this is really important for a Physics major to get into a good graduate school so I want to start ASAP.

I think the sooner the better. If your grades are good, you like some area in particular a lot, and you go to the office of any of your professors and show those things, none of them should say no to you. Of course there will be always a punk that will try to discourage you because some university offices are full with frustrated guys, but I'm sure you will find a nice guy, a nice department and a nice beginning for doing small things. You may not be paid of course. And you may not have already the knowledge required, but to be honest, if you want to pursue grad school you better start to be autonomous about that learning on your own.

When I first started I was in my 3rd year of Mech. Engineering (5 years program) in Madrid, and I even didn't have to go to any office to ask. I was called by them to interview me due to my unusual interest in class (asking a lot of questions) and my outstanding grades in the subject (Fluid Dynamics). And after 3 years and a half, here I am at grad school at UCSD.
 

What is a second semester sophomore?

A second semester sophomore is a university student who has completed two full years of undergraduate studies and is currently in their second semester of their third year.

What does it mean to major in Physics?

To major in Physics means to focus your studies and earn a degree in the field of physics, which is the branch of science that deals with the study of matter, energy, and their interactions.

What challenges do second semester physics majors typically face?

Second semester physics majors may face challenges such as difficult coursework, heavy workload, time management, and balancing practical lab work with theoretical concepts.

What career opportunities are available for second semester physics majors?

There are several career opportunities for second semester physics majors, including research positions in government or private institutions, teaching, engineering, data analysis, and consulting.

What skills should a second semester physics major possess?

A second semester physics major should possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, proficiency in mathematics and computer programming, attention to detail, and the ability to think critically and creatively.

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