MS in Physics after BS in EE/ Physics cirriculum.

[Peon666]

1- I'm currently an undergrad in Telecommunication eingineering. But I'm very much interested in theoretical physics. Can I go for MS and Phd in Physics after engineering? I've taken some physics courses during engineering and also done a lot of self study.

2- I would like to know some best textbooks used in top universities in undergraduation Physics. What whould Physics guys suggest? I'm currently using "Fundamentals of Physics" by Halliday/Resnick/Krain. Is that good? Any other textbooks? Is the level of physics used in this text enough for undergrad?

Thanks-.

 

[Peon666]

24 views and no reply? Hello?

 

[Vanadium 50]

I'm so sorry that we haven't dropped everything that's been happening in our own lives to immediately respond. After all, it's not like we are volunteers or anything. No...we exist only to serve you. I mean, you poor dear - it was almost 36 hours between your first and second posts. However did you stand the uncertainty?

If you had used the search function, or posted in the right section, you would have seen many threads asking the same question. Of course, why read a stale old answer than might be as much as a week old?

So I have two pieces of advice. One is the usual. Graduate school requires an undergraduate degree in the same field, or you somehow have to catch up, a process which can take a year or two. Reading a few books won't do it - you need to take the classes. The book you indicate doesn't exist: there is Physics by Halliday, Resnick and Krane, and there is Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick and Walker.

The other is that if you attend graduate school with this combination of entitlement, impatience and inattention to detail, your time there will be remarkably unpleasant. And likely short.

 

[Peon666]

Thanks for your 'valuable' comments.

Anyways, I e-mailed Harvard deparment of Physics a few days back and they said thay DO accept applicants from Electrical Engineering for MS in Physics.

Anyone with more reliable information?

 

[Hippo]

1- I'm currently an undergrad in Telecommunication eingineering. But I'm very much interested in theoretical physics. Can I go for MS and Phd in Physics after engineering? I've taken some physics courses during engineering and also done a lot of self study.

2- I would like to know some best textbooks used in top universities in undergraduation Physics. What whould Physics guys suggest? I'm currently using "Fundamentals of Physics" by Halliday/Resnick/Krain. Is that good? Any other textbooks? Is the level of physics used in this text enough for undergrad?

Thanks-.

1. I am also a current Undergraduate EE student and contemplating on Double Majoring in for MS in Material Physics in the coming future. In fact, the only reason why I'm interested in EE is because it'll provide for me a strong foundation for getting a job and making money, from there on I'll financially be able to live well and at the same time be able to have more free time to study Physics for pure fun.

2. I have that book too haha. You should also try to find books on Quantum Mechanics and Thermodynamics and try to study those on your own pace. Depending on the research you are interested in Physics you might want to research for specific books on them too. Sense I'll be leaning more towards Materials in Semiconductor / Nano I had to obtain interest in these.


Here is what I have just to name a few. Not saying you should buy them though:
Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics, 11th Edition by Russell C. Hibbeler
Engineering Mechanics: Statics, 11th Edition by Russell C. Hibbeler
Mechanics of Materials, 7th Edition by Russell C. Hibbeler
Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction by William D., Jr. Callister

 

[Vanadium 50]

Anyways, I e-mailed Harvard deparment of Physics a few days back and they said thay DO accept applicants from Electrical Engineering for MS in Physics.

I see. A few days back. Before you posted your message. If you already had your answer, why did...oh, never mind.

There is a difference between accepting an applicant and beginning graduate study. If your background is deficient, you have to catch up.

 

[Locrian]

What whould Physics guys suggest? I'm currently using "Fundamentals of Physics" by Halliday/Resnick/Krain. Is that good?

That's a great 2nd year undergrad college text. It will leave you woefully unprepared for graduate physics studies - it is not sufficient to prepare you for grad school. The undergrad physics texts are pretty standard across most undergrad departments (Griffiths, etc); the grad level books are pretty standard as well (Goldstein, Jackson, etc.). Seek and ye shall find.

I don't think you're really serious about this. In case I'm wrong, you should look carefully into what you can do with a masters degree in physics - if you primarily study "theory" (whatever that will mean), the answer may be "not much". If you have another angle, the answer might be different. It seems like something you'll want to be aware of ahead of time.

 

[Peon666]

Actually I want to earn a Phd in theoretical physics and after that teaching and reasearch. What would you recommand for this?

As for that book, I'll try to finish it within a year (We'll do some parts of it in university as well) and after that I'd try to pay attention to each field (like mechanics, electromegnatism, quantum mechanics etc.etc.) separately. BTW, I'll also have a course on electromagnetic theory in the coming semesters.

Any further suggestions from anyone?

 

[Peon666]

Hey Hippo! Nice to know we're on the same track! :)