Schedule for Senior Fall semester? Advice?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around course scheduling for a senior fall semester in a physics program, particularly focusing on the decision between taking a computational physics course, PDEs, or pursuing independent studies and research opportunities. The conversation touches on the implications of these choices for graduate school applications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant lists their current courses and expresses uncertainty about whether to take a computational physics course, PDEs, or engage in independent studies.
  • Another participant questions whether research will be pursued if the independent study is not taken.
  • A different participant suggests that engaging in research is important if applying to graduate school, implying it enhances the applicant's profile.
  • One participant indicates that their research experience was limited to independent study.
  • Another participant emphasizes the competitive nature of graduate school applications, advocating for extensive research experience throughout undergraduate studies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and timing of research experience in relation to graduate school applications, indicating a lack of consensus on the best approach to course selection and research involvement.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not clarify specific assumptions regarding the importance of research experience or the criteria for graduate school applications, leaving these aspects open to interpretation.

Who May Find This Useful

Students in physics or related fields considering their course schedules and research opportunities, particularly those planning to apply to graduate programs.

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Taking: 1.Thermal Physics 2. Modern Physics 3. Advanced Lab now the big question 4. Computational Physics/PDEs/or independent studies (research)?
 
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Will you be doing research even if you do not take the independent study?
 
Are you applying to grad school? If so you should definitely being doing research during the semester.
 
Only for independent study
 
But are you applying to grad school eventually? If you are, you want to have as much research experience as you can. I did research every semester starting winter of my sophomore year. If you want to get into a top program, you will be competing against students who did research every opportunity they had.
 

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