Programs Preparing PhD in American University Without Physics Background

AI Thread Summary
Pursuing a PhD in physics at an American university without prior coursework in physics is highly unlikely to succeed. Physics is a cumulative discipline, and graduate studies rely heavily on undergraduate knowledge. To assess readiness, it is recommended to take the Physics GRE practice exams and review old qualifying exams from prospective universities. Generally, admission to a physics PhD program requires a solid foundation in physics, which biology students typically lack unless they have completed substantial physics coursework. While the individual expresses a strong interest in researching gravitational anomalies, the consensus is that a background in physics is essential for success in graduate studies in this field.
Rizak
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Greetings to the members and staff of this forum which I find very good.

I want to know if it is possible to prepare a PhD in an American university without having a course in physics.
I have a background in natural science (biology) and in management but I am passionate in physics. I knew that physicists (including well-known) followed this route.

I would to prepare a thesis on the possible gravitational anomalies with original experimental projects.

Thanks,
 
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Rizak said:
I want to know if it is possible to prepare a PhD in an American university without having a course in physics.

The chances of someone being able to succeed in doing this are extremely low. Physics is a cumulative subject and all graduate work is going to call on the physics one learned as an undergrad.

If your interested in graduate work in physics, then my suggestion is to:

1. Take the Physics GRE practice exams. How well do you do?

2. Find a university you are considering applying to and ask to see their old Physics PhD qualifying exams.These are usually indicative of the undergraduate material the department expects students to be proficient in.

3. If you don't do well on these exams (and, in all likelihood, anyone without a background in physics won't do well) then you seriously need to consider going back and getting a B.S. in Physics if you are seriously considering a physics graduate program.
 
If you're asking if you can be admitted to a PhD program in physics without having taken a single physics course, the answer is no. If you're asking if you can be admitted to a PhD program in physics with an undergraduate degree in another field, the answer is that it depends on what courses you have taken. Engineering, physical chemistry, and math students who've done substantial physics coursework are generally able to get in. Biology students with only first year physics are not.

I'm not sure why you would even want to do such a thing.
 
Choppy said:
I'm not sure why you would even want to do such a thing.

Because it is more than 5 years I thought about topics in physics, and the variation of constants (if proven) will open many doors and will be an especially exciting area of ​​research beyond the standard model .
I thought on experiments that can be made for that.
 

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