So You Want To Be A Physicist Discussion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the article "So You Want To Be A Physicist" by ZapperZ, focusing on the journey and preparations for aspiring physicists. Participants share comments, suggestions, and personal experiences related to pursuing physics education, including insights on graduate programs and the differences in educational systems, particularly between the UK and the US.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express appreciation for ZapperZ's work, noting its usefulness for those entering graduate programs or considering a physics degree.
  • There are inquiries about the differences in pursuing a physics degree in the UK compared to the US, with some participants offering to share their experiences.
  • One participant mentions the challenges of feeling underprepared compared to peers and questions whether it is too late to pursue a physics degree.
  • Another participant discusses the importance of individual attention from supervisors in graduate programs, suggesting that a lack of engagement may not reflect poorly on the supervisor but rather on their busy schedule.
  • Some participants share their current educational paths and experiences, including coursework and university visits, while seeking advice on pursuing physics degrees.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the value of the discussion and the article, but multiple competing views remain regarding the educational paths and experiences in different countries. The discussion about the UK educational system is particularly unresolved, with participants expressing a desire for more information.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the specific differences in educational systems, particularly between the UK and US, as well as varying personal experiences that may not be universally applicable.

Who May Find This Useful

Aspiring physicists, students considering physics degrees, and individuals interested in the educational pathways and challenges associated with pursuing a career in physics may find this discussion beneficial.

  • #211
ZapperZ said:
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...
 
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  • #212
tionis said:
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.
 
  • #213
ZapperZ said:
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.
 
  • #214
tionis said:
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.
 
  • #215
ZapperZ said:
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.
 
  • #216
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?
 
  • #217
Adgorn said:
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.).
 
  • #218
jtbell said:
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?
 
  • #219
Try our Science and Math Textbooks forum. Use the forum search feature to look for "Calculus" and see what comes up.
 

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