Reputable post-graduate distance-learning universities

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around finding reputable online or distance-learning universities for pursuing a post-graduate research program in Numerical Physics, specifically focusing on the Navier-Stokes equations and their application to almost incompressible fluids. Participants explore various educational institutions and express their preferences for programs that emphasize physics understanding alongside mathematical components.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to pursue a post-graduate program in Numerical Physics with a focus on the Navier-Stokes equations and seeks recommendations for reputable distance-learning universities.
  • Another participant suggests the Open University in the UK as a potential option, noting their research component but expressing uncertainty about the availability of fluid dynamics research.
  • A different participant mentions that while there are master's degrees available in engineering, the original poster's focus on physics and a PhD may be challenging to find in an online format.
  • One participant shares their background in a one-step BSc(Honours)-PhD program and their experience with local academic limitations, indicating a need to seek better opportunities elsewhere.
  • Another participant acknowledges the difficulty of finding online PhD programs in sciences due to the collaborative nature of research.
  • There is a discussion about the relevance of engineering programs to the field of fluid dynamics, with some participants noting the overlap but emphasizing the original poster's preference for physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on specific universities or programs, and multiple competing views regarding the availability of suitable online PhD programs remain. The discussion reflects uncertainty about the feasibility of pursuing a physics-focused research degree online.

Contextual Notes

Participants express limitations related to the availability of fluid dynamics research in suggested programs and the challenges of finding online PhD opportunities that align with the original poster's goals. There is also mention of the need for close coordination with faculty and peers in research, which may not be fully achievable in an online format.

momentum_waves
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I would like to do a post-graduate research program in Numerical Physics - with a bias towards the Navier-Stokes equations.

The preferred bias would be towards understanding & modeling the physical nature of almost incompressible fluids with a view to developing a wave hypothesis of the N-S equations. Although there would be a strong Mathematical component, the bias would be strongly towards gaining a physics understanding - with numerical simulation forming the backbone of the experimental portion.

Would anyone be prepared to steer me towards reputable on-line, or distance-learning university/ies where I could embark on this project? For me, time is not a critical factor & I'm prepared to take as long as it takes to explore the topic. Any country that can accept an English dissertation will be of interest.

Thank you so much.

mw
 
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momentum_waves said:
Would anyone be prepared to steer me towards reputable on-line, or distance-learning university/ies where I could embark on this project? For me, time is not a critical factor & I'm prepared to take as long as it takes to explore the topic. Any country that can accept an English dissertation will be of interest.
There's the Open University in the UK -- they have a research part: http://www.open.ac.uk/research/

Although, I looked at Applied Maths, Engineering and Physics but couldn't see any fluid dynamics research going on. Perhaps there's something in there...

Are you based in a country with no English speaking unis?

e2a: eg. they have http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?C02MST322 -- but it's not immediately obvious how their courses fit together...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
you can get masters degrees in engineering through: http://den.usc.edu

However, this seems to be not what you're looking for, since you seem to want
a) physics, not engineering (though mechanical/aerospace engineering has a lot of fluid dynamics kind of stuff as well)
b) phd, and not master's degree.

I think it will be very hard to find an online phd program, especially in sciences, since research is much more than coursework, but rather research done in close coordination with faculty and other students, as well as others in the academic community.
 
J77 said:
There's the Open University in the UK -- they have a research part: http://www.open.ac.uk/research/

Although, I looked at Applied Maths, Engineering and Physics but couldn't see any fluid dynamics research going on. Perhaps there's something in there...

Are you based in a country with no English speaking unis?

e2a: eg. they have http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?C02MST322 -- but it's not immediately obvious how their courses fit together...

Thanks so much for your reply, J77. I'll follow up on your links & report back.

I'm currently in Thailand & have been on a one-step BSc(Honours)-PhD program (International) consisting of 24 credits of coursework & 48 credits of dissertation. I've completed all the coursework credits & have performed a great deal of fruitful research & endless numerical simulations - resulting in 2 internal papers & 1 international conference paper. It seems, unfortunately, though, that I've bypassed the capability of the local academics (by their own admission) in the field I've been researching. This means that I really do need to look towards a better university.

I was allowed to proceed under my own direction, given I'm a 47-year old returnee, & was working on a Journal paper - but with a recent local change in administration, they've begun reneging on their previous promises. It's time to move on I'm afraid & I'm hoping to recover some of the previous 2.5 years worth of work.

Thanks so much for your very kind contribution.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
jbusc said:
you can get masters degrees in engineering through: http://den.usc.edu

However, this seems to be not what you're looking for, since you seem to want
a) physics, not engineering (though mechanical/aerospace engineering has a lot of fluid dynamics kind of stuff as well)
b) phd, and not master's degree.

I think it will be very hard to find an online phd program, especially in sciences, since research is much more than coursework, but rather research done in close coordination with faculty and other students, as well as others in the academic community.

Thanks very much 'jbusc' for your kind contribution. I'll follow up on your link.

I'm actually a BSc Eng(Me) (equivalent to a Physics honours degree) for my sins, but found that the area I've been researching of low speed viscous flow at the onset of instability seems to have moved me more towards the area of Numerical Physics. In general, the engineering & fluids fraternity run into some level of difficulty in this area - especially when waves & periodic solutions are generated.

This was my basic reasoning for mentioning Physics. I'm very open to suggestions & guidance in this matter.
 

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