Physics Undergraduate Preparation

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jamalkoiyess
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hello PF,
This year i am going to university for my physics undergrad major.
I am planning for a Ph.D. in physics and maybe if i can a job in research.
MY questions:
_what languages are the most important these days ( i know arabic french and english)?
_what are some beneficial preparations before my first year ?
_what kind of electives are the most important ?
any external advice is welcomed.
 
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jamalkoiyess said:
hello PF,
This year i am going to university for my physics undergrad major.
I am planning for a Ph.D. in physics and maybe if i can a job in research.
MY questions:
_what languages are the most important these days ( i know arabic french and english)?
_what are some beneficial preparations before my first year ?
_what kind of electives are the most important ?
any external advice is welcomed.

  • Where in the world will you be going for your undergraduate education?
  • Where in the world do you intend on pursuing your PhD?
  • Does your school already have recommendation on what you should be having by the time you arrive?
  • What kind of electives are available at your school, and how "free" are you in choosing them? Are there specific requirements that these electives have to fulfill?
  • Have you read the "So You Want To Be A Physicist" essay?
All kinds of questions that have to be answered before anyone can give you any kind of suggestion that are relevant to you.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
  • Where in the world will you be going for your undergraduate education?
  • Where in the world do you intend on pursuing your PhD?
  • Does your school already have recommendation on what you should be having by the time you arrive?
  • What kind of electives are available at your school, and how "free" are you in choosing them? Are there specific requirements that these electives have to fulfill?
  • Have you read the "So You Want To Be A Physicist" essay?
All kinds of questions that have to be answered before anyone can give you any kind of suggestion that are relevant to you.

Zz.

Undergrad in Lebanon
PhD outisde (US most likely)
And about the physicist essay it is too big but i have read some parts.
 
jamalkoiyess said:
Undergrad in Lebanon
PhD outisde (US most likely)
And about the physicist essay it is too big but i have read some parts.

First thing you should know is, as an upcoming physicist there will be plenty of papers that are "too big" if you think the So You Want to be a Physicist essay is too big. If you do your PhD, the majority of your time will be spent reading technical papers that are far longer than that essay...

Also for your questions:

French/English are great. German, Russian, and Chinese are also good languages for physics, depending on what you want to read.
You need to have a solid background in Algebra, Trigonometry, and at least Pre-Calculus or Calculus 1 before you start physics.
 
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Hercuflea said:
First thing you should know is, as an upcoming physicist there will be plenty of papers that are "too big" if you think the So You Want to be a Physicist essay is too big. If you do your PhD, the majority of your time will be spent reading technical papers that are far longer than that essay...

Also for your questions:

French/English are great. German, Russian, and Chinese are also good languages for physics, depending on what you want to read.
You need to have a solid background in Algebra, Trigonometry, and at least Pre-Calculus or Calculus 1 before you start physics.

Thanks sir that was helpful.