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Hi All
I have decided to do module with the Open University in the UK (was going to do a whole degree, but why bother already have one in math so decided on separate modules instead):
http://www.openuniversity.edu/courses/qualifications/details/s217?orig=q77&setAcc=true
While looking around the site I noticed something interesting:
http://www.open.ac.uk/choose/openplus/
Some of the schools you transfer to are quite good - one being named UK university of the year and ranked 6 overall in the UK.
Such a route would have advantages for some people. First you go into second year and degrees over there are 3 years - 4 with an integrated masters. So you only need 2 or 3 years instead - of 4. If you are in the US this drastically reduces time - you can start the program at 16 - complete the open university part in 1.5 to 2 years and go straight to a quality UK university. Secondly with the exchange rate it's quite a good option finance wise - do the sums and you will likely find it will save a heap - with no college debt. However you do need some money up front.
Note UK 3 year honors degree are recognized as equivalent to US 4 year degrees - in fact the British seem to think they are equivalent to US Masters degrees because you specialize more - no generals or anything like that (BTW I do not agree with that view - just mentioning it out of interest how country bias can affect just about anything):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_undergraduate_degree_classification'British honours degrees are sometimes considered equivalent (by British sources) to a US master's degree, with the US bachelor's degree being equivalent to a British pass degree, due to the much higher degree of specialization in the UK.'
There was a recent thread about a person retired and financially OK who wanted to do a PhD and get a Nobel for solving some problems he liked. The thread was shut, but I temporarily reopened it to give one way you would do such an undertaking. But he was doing it for the wrong reasons. You do not do it because you want a Nobel - you do it for the reasons Feynman famously said. Physics is not important - love is. He simply loved physics. So if you are finding you love physics and are older then do not let age stop you from getting a PhD and doing research work - it can be done. But do it for the right reason - Feynman's reason. And if you love physics words of discouragement will not change that love - you will be compelled by something deep inside to do it. The same of course goes if you are young and desperately want to do physics (or any of the other sciences covered by the program - or math - it admits you to double degrees in math and theoretical physics) - do not let age stop you. You can use the program I linked to if you are 16 or older to get admitted to a good school and pursue your dream. How you would fit it into your HS studies at the same time really would require another thread. I know how to do it in Australia - if anyone is interested.
Thanks
Bill
I have decided to do module with the Open University in the UK (was going to do a whole degree, but why bother already have one in math so decided on separate modules instead):
http://www.openuniversity.edu/courses/qualifications/details/s217?orig=q77&setAcc=true
While looking around the site I noticed something interesting:
http://www.open.ac.uk/choose/openplus/
Some of the schools you transfer to are quite good - one being named UK university of the year and ranked 6 overall in the UK.
Such a route would have advantages for some people. First you go into second year and degrees over there are 3 years - 4 with an integrated masters. So you only need 2 or 3 years instead - of 4. If you are in the US this drastically reduces time - you can start the program at 16 - complete the open university part in 1.5 to 2 years and go straight to a quality UK university. Secondly with the exchange rate it's quite a good option finance wise - do the sums and you will likely find it will save a heap - with no college debt. However you do need some money up front.
Note UK 3 year honors degree are recognized as equivalent to US 4 year degrees - in fact the British seem to think they are equivalent to US Masters degrees because you specialize more - no generals or anything like that (BTW I do not agree with that view - just mentioning it out of interest how country bias can affect just about anything):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_undergraduate_degree_classification'British honours degrees are sometimes considered equivalent (by British sources) to a US master's degree, with the US bachelor's degree being equivalent to a British pass degree, due to the much higher degree of specialization in the UK.'
There was a recent thread about a person retired and financially OK who wanted to do a PhD and get a Nobel for solving some problems he liked. The thread was shut, but I temporarily reopened it to give one way you would do such an undertaking. But he was doing it for the wrong reasons. You do not do it because you want a Nobel - you do it for the reasons Feynman famously said. Physics is not important - love is. He simply loved physics. So if you are finding you love physics and are older then do not let age stop you from getting a PhD and doing research work - it can be done. But do it for the right reason - Feynman's reason. And if you love physics words of discouragement will not change that love - you will be compelled by something deep inside to do it. The same of course goes if you are young and desperately want to do physics (or any of the other sciences covered by the program - or math - it admits you to double degrees in math and theoretical physics) - do not let age stop you. You can use the program I linked to if you are 16 or older to get admitted to a good school and pursue your dream. How you would fit it into your HS studies at the same time really would require another thread. I know how to do it in Australia - if anyone is interested.
Thanks
Bill