PhD Scholar Leave and Research: Physics Theories and Data Analysis

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quantumfireball
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How much leave do phd scholars in physics get annualy?
Is it it not possible to do research work at home,incase the student is ill and wants to be in his comfort zone during bad times?
Btw if i choose a theoretical physics topic will i be free from learning computer related stuff
with exception of latex and some simple plotting tools?
Is the life of a phd student in theory easier then one who is into data analysis?
 
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Okki2 said:
get masters first.

Its an integrated programme starting in august.
 
Theorists generally do a lot of programming.
 
quantumfireball said:
How much leave do phd scholars in physics get annualy?

Summers. Of course, if you don't work in the summer, you don't get paid in the summer.

quantumfireball said:
Is it it not possible to do research work at home,incase the student is ill and wants to be in his comfort zone during bad times?

Not for any extended period. The point of attending a university is to interact with other people, especially the faculty. If you don't do that, you aren't really doing what you're supposed to be doing.


quantumfireball said:
Btw if i choose a theoretical physics topic will i be free from learning computer related stuff
with exception of latex and some simple plotting tools?

Depends on the topic, but probably not. Also, this is a highly competitive field. It's not a very good idea to start accumulating a list of what you aren't willing to do.

quantumfireball said:
Is the life of a phd student in theory easier then one who is into data analysis?

There is no way to answer that question.
 
If you love your job, you'll do it all the time. You'll make allowances for family and social activities. I am primarily a theoretician and I spent all of my time on a computer programming and writing code. In this day and age, the number of analytic solutions are far and few between, you're going to spend most of your time on a computer. For example, it took me a month to do all of the analytic work for my dissertation, 4 years to program it and write it up ensuring it was correct.

My wife and I had both of our kids while I was working on my PhD, we both worked, and had the time for going out with our friends every Friday night for pizza and beer. In addition to that I was in the Reserves and had that going for me, both money and time. I stayed home with my kids when they were sick and took them to the doctors. I stayed home and worked while I was sick.

Given those things, I figure it only added a year to my studies. I was not going to go after an academic position but straight to industry.