Programs Phd in physics with BS in Physics

  • Thread starter Thread starter Seth0Mitchell
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Phd Physics
AI Thread Summary
Obtaining a PhD in physics with a BS in physics and an MS in engineering requires significant dedication and effort, regardless of prior qualifications. Acceptance into a PhD program may not be harder due to the applicant's background, as demonstrated graduate coursework and potential thesis work can positively influence selection committees. However, completion of the program remains challenging, as candidates will need to undertake additional physics coursework, and their engineering background may not fully prepare them for the core physics curriculum. The focus of a PhD is primarily on research, which can be demanding and time-consuming, making the journey rigorous regardless of previous academic achievements.
Seth0Mitchell
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
If one has a BS in physics and a MS in engineering how hard is it to obtain a phd in physics?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
PhDs in physics take a great deal of dedication and work no matter what your prior qualifications are.
 
If you're asking about if it's harder to get accepted: no.
If you're asking if it's easier to complete: no.

On one hand, you have at least shown some talent in completing graduate coursework (and possibly a thesis). That's good to selection committees. You also presumably have the undergraduate background needed for the graduate coursework in physics. But they'll still care about grades in physics coursework, what that coursework was, and the physics GRE.

On the other hand, your graduate coursework was in engineering... not physics. There will be new required coursework in physics. You MIGHT get out of some elective requirements. But the core of the Ph.D. degree is the research you do... and often the elective classes are pleasant 2-3-times-a-week distractions from that work, which will be otherwise consuming.
 

Thread 'Where did all the “fundamentals-deepening” master’s programs go?'

I’ve been looking through the curricula of several European theoretical/mathematical physics MSc programs (ETH, Oxford, Cambridge, LMU, ENS Paris, etc), and I’m struck by how little emphasis they place on advanced fundamental courses. Nearly everything seems to be research-adjacent: string theory, quantum field theory, quantum optics, cosmology, soft matter physics, black hole radiation, etc. What I don’t see are the kinds of “second-pass fundamentals” I was hoping for, things like...
View full post »

Thread 'Applied Math PhD candidate but I hate group theory'

TL;DR Summary: I want to do a PhD in applied math but I hate group theory, is this a big problem? Hello, I am a second-year math and physics double major with a minor in data science. I just finished group theory (today actually), and it was my least favorite class in all of university so far. It doesn't interest me, and I am also very bad at it compared to other math courses I have done. The other courses I have done are calculus I-III, ODEs, Linear Algebra, and Prob/Stats. Is it a...
View full post »

Similar threads

Any tips for doing a PhD in theoretical physics?
Replies
21
Views
3K
Next steps toward my PhD in research in Nuclear Medicine and Physics
Replies
3
Views
1K
Programs Electrical Engineering PhD or Applied Physics PhD?
Replies
3
Views
124
Other What Makes a Strong PhD Applicant in Physics?
Replies
11
Views
3K
Admissions Want a PhD in math, but stuck in a physics degree. What to do?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Studying Looking for a thread discussing ideal math classes for physics major
Replies
1
Views
792
Admissions Getting into a top tier Physics PhD Program with a Masters Degree
2
Replies
50
Views
9K
Programs Postdoc in Particle Physics with a PhD in Nanoscience Nanotechnology
Replies
37
Views
4K
Finding a PhD program which is compatible with GPA 3.485
Replies
9
Views
2K
Admissions How to get a Medical Physics PhD?
Replies
5
Views
409

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top