Picking a college for a physics major

In summary: Colleges are not good at objectively ranking programs. However, if you are looking at schools in general, the AAU accredited schools will generally be of a higher quality. Additionally, if you are looking for a school with a strong acoustics program, there are a few schools that have been specifically focused on acoustics for a long time (such as the University of Utah).Seriously, the granularity of the rankings is far too fine to be meaningful. There's a difference between #1 and #50. There's no difference between #5 and #6.
  • #1
Old Guy
103
1
My son is thinking of majoring in Physics, but I've had virtually no luck in finding any information about the quality of undergrad Physics programs. Is there any objective rankings or assessments out there? Any other suggestions on how to pick would be appreciated. His interest (at least now) is in acoustics. Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
I don't trust college rankings at all.

One way of finding out about the quality of the instruction is to go directly to the websites of the schools that you are interested in, and look at the curriculum, the course material and the research that the professors are doing. That should give you a good idea of what the program is like.

The big piece of advice is to try to avoid schools with obvious weed out classes.

One other thing to look at is the quality of the solutions to the problem sets. Machine graded problem sets are bad. Class notes in which the professor goes over issues in which people had trouble before are good.
 
  • #3
twofish-quant said:
The big piece of advice is to try to avoid schools with obvious weed out classes.

How do you identigy an "obvious weed out class"?
 
  • #4
Old Guy said:
How do you identigy an "obvious weed out class"?

What you want to avoid are colleges in which freshmen/sophomore year contains a required auditorium style class in which a lot of people take, but most drop out by the end of the semester. If you can talk to some students at the university, you'll quickly find out if a class like that exists.

You might be able to figure out from the class notes and the websites associated with the class whether or not the lecturer is trying to make the class deliberately hard to lower pass rates.
 
  • #5
If he wants to pursue a career in physics, the best thing to look for would be a large faculty with a wide range of research areas. That way he can do research in (almost) whatever area he finds appealing, instead of being restricted to whatever is at that school (for instance, my school has no particle physicists or plasma physicists).
 
  • #6
Rankings, schmankings. :smile:

Seriously, the granularity of the rankings is far too fine to be meaningful. There's a difference between #1 and #50. There's no difference between #5 and #6.

Also, be aware that an undergrad physics degree is quote general. He might get one or at most two courses in acoustics.
 

What factors should I consider when choosing a college for a physics major?

When choosing a college for a physics major, there are a few key factors to consider. First, you should look at the reputation and rankings of the physics program at the college. Additionally, consider the faculty and their areas of expertise, as well as the research opportunities available. It's also important to look at the resources and facilities available for physics students, such as labs and equipment. Finally, consider the location and overall atmosphere of the college, as you want to choose a place where you will feel comfortable and motivated to learn.

Is it important to choose a college with a specific type of accreditation for a physics major?

Yes, it is important to choose a college with regional accreditation for a physics major. This ensures that the college meets certain academic standards and that credits earned at the college will be recognized by other institutions. Additionally, some employers and graduate programs may require a degree from an accredited college.

What types of undergraduate research opportunities should I look for in a college for a physics major?

When choosing a college for a physics major, it's important to look for opportunities to participate in undergraduate research. This can include working with faculty on research projects, participating in summer research programs, or even conducting your own research project. These opportunities allow you to gain hands-on experience and develop important skills in the field of physics.

Are there any specific courses or concentrations I should look for in a physics major?

While most physics programs will cover the core concepts and principles of physics, it's important to look for courses or concentrations that align with your specific interests and career goals. For example, if you are interested in astrophysics, you may want to look for a program that offers courses in that area. Additionally, some colleges may offer concentrations or specializations within the physics major, such as biophysics or materials science.

How important is the overall cost of attendance when choosing a college for a physics major?

The overall cost of attendance is an important factor to consider when choosing a college for a physics major. However, it's also important to keep in mind that a higher cost does not necessarily equate to a better education or better job opportunities after graduation. Look for colleges that offer financial aid and scholarships to help make the cost more manageable, and consider the potential return on investment for your education in the long run.

Similar threads

Admissions Is it realistic to go from an undeclared major to a comp sci major?
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
20
Views
2K
Courses How much CS as a physics major does one need?
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
4
Views
861
Major in Physics or Physics/Astronomy for Grad School Cosmology?
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
9
Views
1K
Programs Advice for majoring in theoretical physics
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
13
Views
2K
Courses Pure physics vs. adding a math major?
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
8
Views
1K
Admissions Can I change my major from "physical geography" to "math"?
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
30
Views
2K
Programs Help on Majors and Graduate Degrees as an Engineering Student
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
3
Views
798
Admissions PhD Programs for Mathematical Physics (Experimental Condensed Matter Physics)
    • STEM Academic Advising
4
Replies
115
Views
7K
Programs Major in Chemistry or Physics?
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
10
Views
1K
Admissions Comments on my physics PhD applicant profile
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
4
Views
824

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top