Is this Physics curriculum enough to prepare me for grad school?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the adequacy of a physics curriculum for preparing students for graduate school. Participants analyze the structure and content of the curriculum, which includes a mix of core and elective courses across four years, and express concerns about its intensity and comprehensiveness.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the feasibility of completing the extensive curriculum, suggesting that it may be overwhelming and possibly not as rigorous as it appears.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the depth of the courses, speculating that they might only provide introductory knowledge rather than thorough preparation.
  • Concerns are raised about the requirement for multiple electives, with one participant noting that taking advanced courses could lead to a significantly stronger preparation compared to typical undergraduate programs.
  • A participant shares a link to a similar curriculum from another university, indicating a comparison of course offerings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the curriculum is sufficient for graduate school preparation. There are differing views on the intensity and depth of the courses, with some expressing confidence in the curriculum's rigor while others remain skeptical.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the lack of detailed course descriptions, which may limit their ability to fully assess the curriculum's adequacy. There is also uncertainty regarding the actual content and depth of the courses listed.

Headacheguy
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Hello everyone, I'd like to ask for your help if its okay.

I'd be entering the physics program in our local university (I'm not from the USA) this coming June. The program follows a fixed curriculum; the only courses the students are allowed choose are electives. I'm wondering if the program would be able to successfully prepare me for grad school. Am I missing something? (I apologize for not having the course descriptions. Also, I removed the Gen Ed. subjects from the list.)

First Year
First Semester
General Biology with Environmental Issues
College Algebra
Plane and Spherical Trigonometry
General Chemistry I

Second Semester
Gen. Chem II
Differential Calculus with Analytic Geometry
Physics Fundamentals I (Lec & Lab)

Second Year
First Semester
Technical Report Writing
Integral Calculus
General Statistics
Physics Fundamentals II (Lec & Lab)

Second Semester
Elementary Differential Equations
Mathematical Physics I
Physics Fundamentals III
Physical Electronics

Third Year
First Semester
Theoretical Mechanics I (Lec & Lab)
Electromagnetic Theory I (Lec & Lab)
Computational Physics I (Lec & Lab)
Modern Physics I (Lec & Lab)
Mathematical Physics II (Lec & Lab)
Statistical Physics I
Physics Elective I

Second Semester
Theoretical Mechanics II
Electromagnetic Theory II (Lec & Lab)
Computational Physics II (Lab)
Quantum Physics I (Lec & Lab)
Statistical Physics II
Advanced Laboratory I
Physics Elective II

Fourth Year
First Semester
Quantum Physics II (Lec & Lab)
Advanced Laboratory II (Lec & Lab)
Linear Optics
Solid State Physics
Free Elective I
Physics Elective III
Physics Research I

Second Semester
Free Elective II
Physics Elective IV
Physics Research II

List of Elective Courses
Advanced Mathematical Physics
Atmospheric Physics
Biophysics
Complex Systems
Environmental Physics
Fluid Mechanics
General Relativity
Geophysics
Laser Physics
Medical and Health Physics
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Physics Seminar
Plasma Physics
Special Topics in Physics

Free Elective Courses
Physical Chemistry
Modern Geometry
Numerical Analysis
Graph Theory w/ Applications

Thanks!
 
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First Semester:
Theoretical Mechanics I (Lec & Lab)
Electromagnetic Theory I (Lec & Lab)
Computational Physics I (Lec & Lab)
Modern Physics I (Lec & Lab)
Mathematical Physics II (Lec & Lab)
Statistical Physics I
Physics Elective IIt's not clear to me how this is possible? There must be something going on here I don't understand. This course load is enough to kill anyone who is mortal. If you do manage to complete this curriculum, you will be extremely well prepared. Most undergrad degrees do not require courses on solid state physics, optics, computational physics, or electronics. Additionally you need six(!) electives? If you take advanced mathematical physics, complex systems, fluid mechanics,general relativity, plasma physics, and numerical analysis, you have nearly two degrees worth of courses. Your preparation will be in another league compared to what I did for my B.S. but it's not clear to me how this much work is possible to complete?
 
Last edited:
Thank you.

I don't know either. It must be just a bunch of introductions. If that is the case, I wouldn't really get prepared.
 
I've got a similar curriculum from another local university:

http://www.science.upd.edu.ph/nip/images/pdfs/bsphys.pdf"

http://www.science.upd.edu.ph/nip/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=94"
 
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