So You Want To Be A Physicist Discussion

[ZapperZ]

Currently, I'm a Physics and Computer Science major. Programming has been my passion since I was 14, and can't imagine having a better job than programming. But I want to learn about more subjects in physics. I'm not looking for the popular science explanations of the subject matter. I'd like to understand it and not just know it. Knowing something is different from understanding to me. Physics didn't rear it's head into my interest pool until about the semester I started college. I can't necessarily tell you why it is I want to study Physics, other than I just want to know more of it. The problem solving aspect of it is very rewarding to me, yet frustrating. It's almost like I'm debugging a program, it's frustrating as hell, but once I finally solve it... it feels amazing. I'm definitely committed to receiving my Bachelor's in both CS and Physics, but I don't know if I should be going farther than that. I definitely want to knowledge, and I have the drive. The issue is that whether or not it's be a good choice financially. By no means do I come from a wealthy family, but I'm not on the streets. If anyone can just sort of give some insight that'd be great.

You should open a new thread for such a question.

Secondly, as with Physics or Engineering, why can't you do BOTH? Computational Physics is a recognized area of specialization. And many areas of physics (high energy physics, accelerator physics, etc.) have HUGE computational components.

Zz.

 

[onethatyawns]

Thank you Zz! I loved reading the guide.

 

[shininglight441]

Thanks for your guides！

I am from China and I came across this series of articles here one year ago and benefit a lot from them.I wondered if you mind I translate your guide with your name into Chinese to make it be read by more students in China. I will be very grateful for your approval.

please give me a reply if I am lucky enough.

 

[ZapperZ]

I often get PM messages inquiring me about certain parts of my "So You Want To Be A Physicist" essay. I want to point out, as stated in that essay thread, that this thread is still open, and it is where you may ask me about my essay. Most of the questions being asked should really be posted in the open forum, because it may be useful to others.

Other questions that contain more personal or private information may still be sent to me directly. However, please note that this thread is only for a discussion pertaining directly to the essay. If you have general questions about going into physics, etc., please start a new thread.

Thanks!

Zz.

 

[theBin]

Say one is interested, or rather they think they are, in fields areas related to physics such as oceanographic physics and complex systems (neurological networks, mushroom clouds, supernovae). Would it be sensible to do an undergraduate degree in physics or one in mathematics with a focus on those computational and mathematical techniques (I'm guessing lots of PDEs, probability) required for those fields, and then some physics courses?

I suggest to prepare in self-studying some math at your own pace, then to do a B Engineering in Physics, on campus in any university of any country _choose the lowest costs_. Jobs as a physicist are very rare; it is much worst outside the USA. Don't do a B Sc in math unless there is a professionnal order of mathematicians in your province/state/department/prefecture, e.g. in the province Alberta. The best choice, if you have no mentor /referee/ human connection to obtain a job, is to get a university degree in mechanical engineering, or physical engineering. Afterwards, as time permits, you could do with the university of Lehigh, at distance learning, a MSc in Math, possibly rather called a M Eng mechanics (depending on your choice of elective courses)- very expensive _.

 

[tionis]

Hi Zapper,

I just finished reading your excellent series ''So you want to be a physicist,'' and I have a few question for you if you wouldn't mind. I'm very interested in studying physics, but your entries on the topic left me somewhat horrified of the process of becoming one. I mean just the thought of public speaking and such is enough to send me into a panic attack lol.

What I have envisioned for myself is to go as far as I can in the study of physics without having to worry about teaching or enduring years of servitude in some grad program. Is that even possible? I mean, once you have passed the required exams to be accepted into grad school, couldn't you just study what you wish without having to do anything else? My understanding, based on your article, is that you have to do all those thing because the university is funding your education. But what if you can pay for grad school yourself? Couldn't you just go to class, pass your exams, defend your thesis, get your degree, and be done with it?

I really don't have any interest in becoming part of academia or anything, nor do I wish to work in a lab. My goal is to learn as much as I can, and in the process, hopefully stumble into something interesting that would add to the general body of knowledge, but that is it. So, is there a way to circumvent the system?

Thanks. I look forward to your reply.
-t

 

[ZapperZ]

Hi Zapper,

I just finished reading your excellent series ''So you want to be a physicist,'' and I have a few question for you if you wouldn't mind. I'm very interested in studying physics, but your entries on the topic left me somewhat horrified of the process of becoming one. I mean just the thought of public speaking and such is enough to send me into a panic attack lol.

What I have envisioned for myself is to go as far as I can in the study of physics without having to worry about teaching or enduring years of servitude in some grad program. Is that even possible? I mean, once you have passed the required exams to be accepted into grad school, couldn't you just study what you wish without having to do anything else? My understanding, based on your article, is that you have to do all those thing because the university is funding your education. But what if you can pay for grad school yourself? Couldn't you just go to class, pass your exams, defend your thesis, get your degree, and be done with it?

I really don't have any interest in becoming part of academia or anything, nor do I wish to work in a lab. My goal is to learn as much as I can, and in the process, hopefully stumble into something interesting that would add to the general body of knowledge, but that is it. So, is there a way to circumvent the system?

Thanks. I look forward to your reply.
-t

If all you care about is to learn about physics, rather than being a physicist, then you don't really have to go through the academic process.

Note that you can't just "... go to class, pass your exams, defend your thesis, get your degree, and be done with it..." "Defend thesis" means standing in front of an audience, something you said that you'd rather not do. It is not sitting at a desk and writing your defense. Secondly, to be able to defend a thesis means that you had done research work. This requires interactions with at people, including your advisor, other students who may be doing the same topic, and hopefully, other researchers so that you are up-to-date on the current state of knowledge of the topic. You no longer learn just from books at this stage. You have to learn from others.

And finally, there is a difference between learning physics, and being a physicist. You can learn physics all you want, but it doesn't turn you into a physicist. A physicist is a person who practices the OCCUPATION of being a physicist. This means that this person not only has to know physics, but also all the responsibilities of being a scientist in the organization that he/she works in. You appear to not want to shoulder such responsibility.

This is why I said that you should just pick up a book and learn physics, rather than pursing a PhD in it. After all, what would you do with such a degree if you really do not want to be a physicist?

Zz.

 

[tionis]

If all you care about is to learn about physics, rather than being a physicist, then you don't really have to go through the academic process.

Note that you can't just "... go to class, pass your exams, defend your thesis, get your degree, and be done with it..." "Defend thesis" means standing in front of an audience, something you said that you'd rather not do. It is not sitting at a desk and writing your defense. Secondly, to be able to defend a thesis means that you had done research work. This requires interactions with at people, including your advisor, other students who may be doing the same topic, and hopefully, other researchers so that you are up-to-date on the current state of knowledge of the topic. You no longer learn just from books at this stage. You have to learn from others.

And finally, there is a difference between learning physics, and being a physicist. You can learn physics all you want, but it doesn't turn you into a physicist. A physicist is a person who practices the OCCUPATION of being a physicist. This means that this person not only has to know physics, but also all the responsibilities of being a scientist in the organization that he/she works in. You appear to not want to shoulder such responsibility.

This is why I said that you should just pick up a book and learn physics, rather than pursing a PhD in it. After all, what would you do with such a degree if you really do not want to be a physicist?

Zz.

Well, the thought of teaching myself physics outside of school is not very appealing. I will probably end-up with huge gaps in my learning, and if I ever discover something worth publishing, it will probably never see the light of day. I think that is where the degree comes in handy. I could be wrong, but they probably check the educational background of people who send in papers to journals, and if you don't have letters after your name, then you're just another crackpot. I don't want to be another crackpot, so I'm fully committed and funded to study physics formally to the best of my abilities, my social anxiety notwithstanding. As far as not being a physicist outside of an institution, I don't quite agree. I mean there are a lot of retired physicists that don't stop being one simply because they are no longer part of an institution, Kip Thorne comes to mind, or even you, if you are already retired -- but that is beside the scope of this discussion. Thanks for your wonderful article and for your reply, Zapper. The best I've read so far about the whole process.

 

[ZapperZ]

Well, the thought of teaching myself physics outside of school is not very appealing. I will probably end-up with huge gaps in my learning, and if I ever discover something worth publishing, it will probably never see the light of day. I think that is where the degree comes in handy. I could be wrong, but they probably check the educational background of people who send in papers to journals, and if you don't have letters after your name, then you're just another crackpot. I don't want to be another crackpot, so I'm fully committed and funded to study physics formally to the best of my abilities, my social anxiety notwithstanding.

They don't check your credentials when you submit something for publication. However, you HAVE to understand not only the format, but the QUALITY requirement for that journal. And if you haven't gone through the process via an academic institution, chances are your submission will be rejected, not because of your background, but because of the content and format. The advantage of going to school and getting the degree is that you learn from others with more experience than you. Your advisor and other research professors help you honing your skills at writing a paper and presenting it properly for publication, etc.. etc. One benefits from years of experience that these folks have.

As far as not being a physicist outside of an institution, I don't quite agree. I mean there are a lot of retired physicists that don't stop being one simply because they are no longer part of an institution, Kip Thorne comes to mind, or even you, if you are already retired -- but that is beside the scope of this discussion. Thanks for your wonderful article and for your reply, Zapper. The best I've read so far about the whole process.

But these people have gone through the process! They have been trained to be a physicist by the educational institution that they attended! And they have put in the service that we all had to during our career.

BTW, you never stated your career goals. You stated that you don't want to go into Academia, you don't want to teach, you don't want to work in a lab, etc... so what exactly do you want to do with your Ph.D degree in physics?

Zz.

 

[tionis]

I'm going to college this fall. These are the courses I'm taking. I can't wait.

PHYS 110, General Physics
4
PHYS 120, General Physics
4
PHYS 211, General Physics
5
MATH 150, Calculus and Analytic Geometry
5
MATH 160, Calculus and Analytic Geometry
4
MATH 250, Calculus and Analytic Geometry

 

[tionis]

BTW, you never stated your career goals. You stated that you don't want to go into Academia, you don't want to teach, you don't want to work in a lab, etc... so what exactly do you want to do with your Ph.D degree in physics?
Zz.

Oh yeah sorry. My career goal right now is to study hard so I can write an interesting baccalaureate thesis. If after that, I'm accepted to grad school, then I plan to pursue a PhD and then move on. I'm not planning on staying in academia, but who knows...

 

[ZapperZ]

Oh yeah sorry. My career goal right now is to study hard so I can write an interesting baccalaureate thesis. If after that, I'm accepted to grad school, then I plan to pursue a PhD and then move on. I'm not planning on staying in academia, but who knows...

Those are your ACADEMIC goals, not CAREER goals. What do you wish to do with your degree? What kind of a career are you looking for?

Zz.

 

[tionis]

Those are your ACADEMIC goals, not CAREER goals. What do you wish to do with your degree? What kind of a career are you looking for?

Zz.

The degree is just the icing on the cake. It proves that you have been rigorous in your studies and have met the criteria of the community to do physics in a correct manner like you said. I don't plan to make a career out of it in the sense of working for a university and getting paid for it, if that's what you're asking. I suppose I can continue to do physics independently after I'm done with school. Hopefully by that time, I have learn the process well and have a few connections in the community to bounce ideas back and forth. That is what Garrett Lisi is doing, I think.

 

[ZapperZ]

The degree is just the icing on the cake. It proves that you have been rigorous in your studies and have met the criteria of the community to do physics in a correct manner like you said. I don't plan to make a career out of it in the sense of working for a university and getting paid for it, if that's what you're asking. I suppose I can continue to do physics independently after I'm done with school. Hopefully by that time, I have learn the process well and have a few connections in the community to bounce ideas back and forth. That is what Garrett Lisi is doing, I think.

How do you propose to make a living? Working at McDonalds?

And do you think it is a good idea to model your life with an exception or an unusual situation, rather than the rule?

Zz.

 

[tionis]

How do you propose to make a living? Working at McDonalds?

Zz.

Well, I rather not discuss my finances in polite company, but that is not going to be a problem for me. BTW, McDonalds was my first job and I thoroughly enjoyed it lol.

 

[Adgorn]

Quick question regarding ”Mathematical Methods in the Physical Science”, does the book require a mathematical background beyond high school level math? I'm asking since you mentioned it is intended to be used at the end of 2nd year, so do I need to learn additional math (for example introductory undergraduate level calculus) before delving into this?

 

[jtbell]

do I need to learn additional math (for example introductory undergraduate level calculus) before delving into this?

Boas assumes that you have previously studied differential and integral calculus of a single variable, corresponding to Calculus I and II in a typical US university math program, or Advanced Placement (AP) calculus in high school. The book does cover material that is normally in Calculus III: partial differentiation, multiple integrals, and vector analysis (div, grad, curl, etc.).

 

[Adgorn]

Boas assumes that you have previously studied differential and integral calculus of a single variable, corresponding to Calculus I and II in a typical US university math program, or Advanced Placement (AP) calculus in high school. The book does cover material that is normally in Calculus III: partial differentiation, multiple integrals, and vector analysis (div, grad, curl, etc.).

I see, so can't really start it from scratch. Any suggestions for a good book covering Calculus I and II for self-teaching to read before this one?

 

[jtbell]

Try our Science and Math Textbooks forum. Use the forum search feature to look for "Calculus" and see what comes up.