Physics PhD without staying permanently at school

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of pursuing a PhD in physics without the necessity of being physically present at a university, particularly from the perspective of a participant living in Bolivia who has familial obligations. The conversation touches on the requirements for research, coursework, and residency in PhD programs.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about options for studying a PhD in physics without needing to stay permanently at the university, citing personal reasons for not wanting to leave Bolivia.
  • Several participants assert that a PhD typically requires a research component that necessitates physical presence at the university, especially for interaction with advisors and completion of exams.
  • Another participant suggests that while some arrangements may allow for concurrent work and thesis projects, this is contingent on specific agreements and may not apply to the original poster's situation.
  • Concerns are raised about the legitimacy of distance learning programs that claim to offer graduate-level coursework without physical attendance.
  • The original poster expresses a desire for a PhD program that involves only a thesis and minimal residency, prompting further questions about such options.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that a PhD requires some level of physical presence for research and coursework, but there is disagreement about the extent of residency required and the possibility of alternative arrangements. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific options available to the original poster.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that Bolivia does not offer a PhD program in physics, which complicates the original poster's situation. There are also references to the necessity of completing coursework at a university, which may not align with the original poster's preferences.

alejandrito29
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There is a place where i could to study a phd physics, where do not exist the need of stay physical at the place?I have 32 years old, i live in Bolivia, i have a master of physics (i studied out of Bolivia) , and one publication on physical review D. By reasons family, i do not want get out again of my country
 
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Not realistically. Where do you plan on doing the research component of the degree?
 
I don't know the university, since, in Bolivia there is not Phd in physics, and i do not want get out again of my country.

Topics that would be: gravitation, extra dimensions, extensions of general relativity, etc...
 
It's not realistic. A PhD needs to have a research component.
 
There are a few things that I don't understand here.

1. From the topic of this thread, it appears that you think you have to stay "permanently" at the location of the school to do a PhD? Where did you get this idea? This is false if this is what you think is required.

2. When you do your PhD, practically all schools REQUIRE that you spend some time in residence, especially since you need to have a good contact with your advisor, and may have to complete requirements such as preliminary exams, etc. I don't know of ANY reputable school that will allow you to complete a physics PhD without ever attending or being present physically at that school for a period of time. You may not have to spend your entire length of the program there, but you will have to spend some (at least, it isn't "permanent", no?).

Zz.
 
alejandrito29 said:
There is a place where i could to study a phd physics, where do not exist the need of stay physical at the place?

No, sorry.
 
some suggest for my case?
 
alejandrito29 said:
some suggest for my case?

Are you going to keep asking the question over and over until you get the answer you want? You hgagve your answer. I'm sorry that it's not the answer you want.
 
This would probably only happen if you were doing technical work at a place concurrently with your PhD where an agreement was made as to what counted towards your thesis. I work at a national lab where scientists have done their masters and phD thesis on projects they were already working on at the lab (apart from their grad school work); I've also met engineers where a similar arrangement was made with the firms they were working for. I don't know how this would work for your situation though.
 
  • #10
clope023 said:
I work at a national lab where scientists have done their masters and phD thesis on projects they were already working on at the lab

And every one of them did their coursework at their university. Furthermore, unless Los Alamos opens up a Bolivian branch, this won't work for the OP.
 
  • #11
Vanadium 50 said:
And every one of them did their coursework at their university. Furthermore, unless Los Alamos opens up a Bolivian branch, this won't work for the OP.
The OP did explicitly mention coursework. Your quip is also why I said this to the OP.

"I don't know how this would work for your situation though."

Reading is fundamental.
 
  • #12
clope023 said:
This would probably only happen if you were doing technical work at a place concurrently with your PhD where an agreement was made as to what counted towards your thesis. I work at a national lab where scientists have done their masters and phD thesis on projects they were already working on at the lab (apart from their grad school work); I've also met engineers where a similar arrangement was made with the firms they were working for. I don't know how this would work for your situation though.

Apparently, his country doesn't offer a PhD program in physics at all (As stated by the OP), so I don't see how this applies.

Maybe you should take your own advice:
Reading is fundamental.

The best advice for the OP is to wait until such a time that his desire for a doctorate outweighs any familial/location requirements.
 
  • #13
You won't have to live on campus, if that's what you mean. But you will be expected to go to classes, meet with professors, and participate in research work at a bare minimum, all of which obviously requires your physical presence at the university. And anything claiming to offer graduate-level coursework as a distance learning program is something you should stay far, far away from.

My advice to OP is to either work things out with your family or wait until you don't have obligations that prevent you from relocating.
 
  • #14
Thanks.

Other Question: There is a places of the world, where, the phd is only a thesis?, without asignatures

Thinking in a phd whit only thesis and permanence of short times
 

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