- #1
Darwinder
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I am in some real need of advice on the possibilities of my future plans.
A bit of background, 32 years old, went back to undergrad at 30 and currently enrolled in a Bsc (hons) degree in Natural Sciences in the UK with my major subject as Chemistry. Plans to give my full effort to getting into academia and research down the line.
This semester we really started to get into the nitty gritty of physical chemistry and quantum chemistry. I am absolutely loving it and know its the area I want to pour my heart and soul. My problem is that, it seems all the research problems I find super interesting at this point in my education so far tend to be from the angle of atomic physics or molecular physics. Is it heard of or possible in your opinion for one to do a chemistry undergrad, physical/theoretical chemistry masters and then a Phd in atomic or molecular physics? I understand I am still young at 32, but I would much prefer not to have to add on another year to switch to a physics degree at undergrad. It is a possibility for me to take some final year physics/math courses in my chemistry program such QM & QM mathematical methods.
I understand there is a lot of collaboration between AMO physics, physical chemistry, chemistry physics and theoretical chemistry. I guess what I truly want to know, is that if I continue on with physical chemistry through to Phd rather than getting onto a physics Phd would that also allow me the opportunity to do research in the above mentioned fields like atomic physics, physical chemistry, molecular chemistry and publish in those respective journals as well as work in either department? I have seen its quite common for physicists to hold faculty positions in either physics or physical chemistry, but does it go both ways? Can a physical chemist hold a faculty position in atomic physics for example?
Thank you for your advice.
A bit of background, 32 years old, went back to undergrad at 30 and currently enrolled in a Bsc (hons) degree in Natural Sciences in the UK with my major subject as Chemistry. Plans to give my full effort to getting into academia and research down the line.
This semester we really started to get into the nitty gritty of physical chemistry and quantum chemistry. I am absolutely loving it and know its the area I want to pour my heart and soul. My problem is that, it seems all the research problems I find super interesting at this point in my education so far tend to be from the angle of atomic physics or molecular physics. Is it heard of or possible in your opinion for one to do a chemistry undergrad, physical/theoretical chemistry masters and then a Phd in atomic or molecular physics? I understand I am still young at 32, but I would much prefer not to have to add on another year to switch to a physics degree at undergrad. It is a possibility for me to take some final year physics/math courses in my chemistry program such QM & QM mathematical methods.
I understand there is a lot of collaboration between AMO physics, physical chemistry, chemistry physics and theoretical chemistry. I guess what I truly want to know, is that if I continue on with physical chemistry through to Phd rather than getting onto a physics Phd would that also allow me the opportunity to do research in the above mentioned fields like atomic physics, physical chemistry, molecular chemistry and publish in those respective journals as well as work in either department? I have seen its quite common for physicists to hold faculty positions in either physics or physical chemistry, but does it go both ways? Can a physical chemist hold a faculty position in atomic physics for example?
Thank you for your advice.
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