Plasma Physics PhD from an EE undergrad

[asmundd]

Hello everyone, I’m an EE undergrad in their junior year looking to make a move into Physics. Although this isn’t set in stone, I’m going to try to apply for experimental physics programs in EE adjacent fields such as optics or plasma.

This summer, I’m going to self study a few physics classes such as fluids and QM and use those in combination with the knowledge I already have in EM to take the P-GRE. I’m looking to get above a 900. I believe its possible as I’ve consistently done very well on standardized testing in the past.

Senior year I will also have the opportunity to take PDEs, classical mechanics, mathematics for physics, QM, and plasma physics before graduating. This would result in a Physics minor, but I'm not able to take a 1 credit required lab class due to scheduling conflicts.

My other stats are as follows:

3.84 GPA at ABET accredited US school

1 year of research in electronic warfare and high powered EMPs.

Summer internship in RF antenna design at General Atomics

1 year study abroad in Spain & 3 months of working on a research project in AI at that university

Hopefully in the fall 2025 semester I can get a position at my universities plasma facility (uncertain).

If I was to apply with these stats would I have a good shot at getting into a plasma physics PhD program at a top school? I’m not sure how possible it is coming from an electrical engineering background. Would I be allowed to catch up on undergrad courses in topics such as thermodynamics and statistical mechanics while doing the PhD?

Thank you

 

[Choppy]

It's hard to really give you a definitive answer on something like this.

One of the big things admissions committees consider when evaluating students from non-physics BSc backgrounds is whether they have the appropriate foundation for physics graduate coursework and comprehensive examinations. Usually they expect senior courses in core subjects (E&M, classical mechanics, quantum, stat mech, etc.) Of course, some holes can be filled in here and there, but when there's a lineup of students who all have straight As in these, the question is less of whether you meet the minimum threshold, and more of whether you should take the place of one of them.

While effective self-study will certainly help prepare you for the PGRE, it doesn't count for much when admissions committees look at whether you have the prerequisite background.

What I might recommend, is contacting some of the schools you're interested in and speaking with some potential supervisors or a graduate program director if you can manage it. Ask them if what you have is sufficient, or what they might recommend for you.

 

[asmundd]

It's hard to really give you a definitive answer on something like this.

One of the big things admissions committees consider when evaluating students from non-physics BSc backgrounds is whether they have the appropriate foundation for physics graduate coursework and comprehensive examinations. Usually they expect senior courses in core subjects (E&M, classical mechanics, quantum, stat mech, etc.) Of course, some holes can be filled in here and there, but when there's a lineup of students who all have straight As in these, the question is less of whether you meet the minimum threshold, and more of whether you should take the place of one of them.

While effective self-study will certainly help prepare you for the PGRE, it doesn't count for much when admissions committees look at whether you have the prerequisite background.

What I might recommend, is contacting some of the schools you're interested in and speaking with some potential supervisors or a graduate program director if you can manage it. Ask them if what you have is sufficient, or what they might recommend for you.

You mention that self study doesn't replicate having the certificate of passing the classes themselves, and I agree. For my EE degree, I only need 7 more credits of elective classes to meet the minimum requirements for graduation. So, for the fall 2025 semester, I can take a few physics classes such as complex analysis, classical mechanics, and a 3rd general physics class. These will set me up in the spring to take QM, plasma physics, and one other class such as E&M (I have already taken the engineering version) or thermodynamics.

Although the application cycles are in the fall/early winter of 2025, is there a way to indicate in my application that I plan to take these courses before graduating? Even though I haven't completed them yet, would it be beneficial to discuss how I am building the necessary foundation for graduate coursework, even without official proof?

 

[CrysPhys]

What I might recommend, is contacting some of the schools you're interested in and speaking with some potential supervisors or a graduate program director if you can manage it. Ask them if what you have is sufficient, or what they might recommend for you.

@asmundd. This is the best advice to follow. There is no generic transition process for a student in your scenario. It will depend on the specific graduate university. So develop a candidate list of the graduate universities that have programs of interest to you. Then contact the graduate admissions officer at each for an initial discussion.

Another option (although expensive): consider tacking on a fifth year to your undergraduate work. But consider this only after discussions with the graduate schools. And consider this only if you can schedule the physics courses you need (since many courses follow a set sequence).

 

[gwnorth]

If I was to apply with these stats would I have a good shot at getting into a plasma physics PhD program at a top school?

You're putting the cart before the horse. Before even starting to consider rankings as a criteria for determining which programs to apply to, you need to first identify potential supervisors who are actively researching in the area or topic you would want to pursue for your thesis. The programs they're affiliated with are the ones you should be considering. Now it's quite possible that some will be at "top" programs, but that should be a secondary consideration after first identifying relevant faculty.