Physics Is undergrad research REALLY that big on grad school applications?

AI Thread Summary
A junior at FSU is contemplating a shift from nuclear physics research to molecular biophysics, motivated by a desire to contribute to cancer research. Despite having started a nuclear project for their bachelor's thesis, they are concerned about advice from a professor suggesting that they can only apply to nuclear-related graduate programs due to their current research focus. However, responses from other faculty members indicate that having a diverse research background is more valuable than strictly aligning undergraduate research with graduate study interests. They emphasize that many students apply to different fields based on various factors, including personal interests and available opportunities. The student also notes a lack of undergraduate biophysics opportunities at their university, which could be relevant for their grad school applications. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of research experience over strict adherence to a specific field when applying for graduate programs.
redflactober
Messages
7
Reaction score
5
So I’m a junior at FSU and I have to apply to grad schools next year. I’ve done EPR condensed matter research with Steven hill at MagLab during my sophomore year. I am currently doing experimental nuclear research with Ingo Weidenhover, and my bachelors thesis will be on measuring J values for excited states of 29Si around the alpha threshold.
However I’ve found out recently about biophysics (I don’t think it gets enough representation in physics outreach). Now knowing about the field, I really want to study molecular biophysics and protein folding. I hope I can help with cancer research even if it’s just a small amount. I know I would have a lot to catch up on with the biology itself, but I’m willing to do that.

I went to ask my Mathematical Methods 1/2 professor about advice applying for schools, as she was a biophysicist.
She said since I plan to have a bachelors thesis in nuclear, that I can only apply to nuclear related schools, or at least those are the schools that I have a chance to get into. She said I need to change my thesis topic now if I really want to do biophysics.
My issue is that I just started with the nuclear experiment about 3 months ago, and I’m a decent amount of work into the project.

Do you guys think my MathMethods teacher is right? I’ll drop my nuclear research tomorrow if she’s really onto something. I’m just embarrassed to back out of the nuclear research, especially because before really learning of biophysics, I told Dr Weidenhover I was all in for nuclear physics (I originally thought I would spin my nuclear experience to work in a hospital and help oncology departments with chemo, having done a medical physics PhD. But I hate chemo and hated seeing my aunt have to go through it and I think it would be much better to find a cure that’s more humane, maybe by understanding the biophysics better).

Ugh:(
 
  • Like
Likes DeBangis21 and berkeman
Physics news on Phys.org
redflactober said:
So I’m a junior at FSU and I have to apply to grad schools next year.
[...]
Do you guys think my MathMethods teacher is right?
I disagree with your instructor (I'm faculty who hires grad students for research)- what is most important (IMO- other than GPA/test scores) is a track record of research (any research field), especially if you have presented your work at national conferences, (or even better: peer-reviewed articles) and a letter from your research advisor that convincingly attests to your ability to perform independent research.
 
  • Like
Likes redflactober, PhDeezNutz, Choppy and 2 others
I agree with Andy.
While it can helps to do research in the field you're most interested in for a senior undergraduate thesis, it is by no means necessary. There are a lot of reasons why undergraduates will apply for graduate school in a different subfield than their undergraduate thesis... availability of projects at the school they are at, wanting to work with specific mentors, wanting to acquire a certain skill set, learning that you don't like the field your undergrad thesis is in, only learning what another field is really all about in your last semester, etc.
Undergraduate studies are for establishing a solid foundation in physics and exploring potential areas of interested. Graduate studies for for specialization.
 
  • Like
Likes DeBangis21 and redflactober
redflactober said:
I went to ask my Mathematical Methods 1/2 professor about advice applying for schools, as she was a biophysicist.
She said since I plan to have a bachelors thesis in nuclear, that I can only apply to nuclear related schools, or at least those are the schools that I have a chance to get into. She said I need to change my thesis topic now if I really want to do biophysics.
My issue is that I just started with the nuclear experiment about 3 months ago, and I’m a decent amount of work into the project.
I agree with Andy & Choppy. Another reason I think you got bum advice from that particular prof is that many (most?) students who do an undergrad thesis won't start it until first semester senior year. Really too late to count much for grad school applications submitted ~end of first semester senior year. You happen to have an early jump start. And not all schools require an undergrad thesis, so it can't be dispositive.
 
  • Like
Likes redflactober and Choppy
Man. I’m a little naive on the subject, and your insights help me relax some. Thanks!

Plus I found out that there aren’t any undergraduate opportunities in biophysics at my university right now anyways (Both professors already have 4 undergrads). I suppose that’s information I can include in my grad school applications.
 
  • Like
Likes Tom.G and berkeman
I don't know if anyone on here works for any of the well known defense companies of your country, whichever country you are from?? Also, if you choose to work in one, do you think the engineering education provide from your school would adequately prepare you for the job. What do I mean by that? Well if you work at say Lockheed Martin and you work in the latest iteration of a missile or if you work at Pratt & Whitney, they assign you to work in the team helping out with building the jet...
Hello, I graduated from undergrad a few years ago with a Major in Physics and minor in Electrical Engineering. I tried to get experience working on and testing circuits through my professor who studied Neutrinos, however covid caused the opportunity to go away and I graduated with no experience or internships. I have attempted to break into the engineering industry with no success. Right now I am considering going for a Masters in Electrical Engineering and I need advice on if this would be...
So lately, my interest in the realm of optics/optoelectronics/photonics engineering has grown and I have started to seriously consider pursuing a career in the field. I have done a bit of career research and also have done some learning on the side to gather more knowledge on these topics. However, I have some questions on what a career in these fields would look like, and I wanted to find out more about this area to know what I would be getting myself into if I did make the choice to pursue...
Back
Top