What Does the Current General Physics Landscape Look Like?

[dkotschessaa]

I'm probably stating the obvious, but I'm currently learning what the general physics landscape is right now as I start pursuing my degree after a brief time off from college. (About 13 years...) Turns out it's not all string theory and black holes. Who'd have thunk?

Is it correct to say that computational physics pretty much lies at the intersection of computer science (my career background), mathematics (my intended degree) and physics (my uh..hobby)?

How much of each? I realize that there isn't a definite quantitative answer here, but I mean something like "a lot of math, some physics, a little programming."

The plan so far is to focus on mathematics, mostly, but I will be taking physics courses along the way and get involved with research ASAP.

Thanks,

-DaveKA

 

[dkotschessaa]

Forgive the obnoxious no-reply follow up. I hate to be a pest but I was hoping for at least one reply. I realize this is a very busy forum and topics get buried quickly.

-DaveK

 

[Norman]

I really good friend and colleague of mine got his PhD in "Ph.D. in Computational Science with Physics Emphasis" at Southern Mississippi. It is largely a physics degree since a masters degree in physics is required along with 2 classes of PhD level "computational physics core courses" and 3 classes in PhD level "computational techniques" along with the usual PhD requirements (pass the quals, do research, write dissertation, pass defense, etc).

My impression from him is that the general basis of it was a solid physics degree with advanced course work in computation methods (math and software development). So, using your terms: mostly physics, a lot of coding (numerical methods and programming), some math.

 

[dkotschessaa]

Thanks. I'm still unclear on whether getting into a physics masters program is more about the degree itself or the coursework plus research, etc. My plan of attack is to get my bachelor's in mathematics, partly because I am doing this somewhat later in life and I don't want to stretch this out forever, but also because of the numerous applications of mathematics to other fields.

What I planned to do is to rack up as many physics courses I could along the way and get involved in research, something that an advisor told me is a possibility as a math major. There is also an accelerated (5 year program if one is just starting) Master's program for Mathematics where I am attending (University of South Florida), which is appealing as well to me as a late bloomer. I'm not trying to rush but I don't want to waste time either.

-DaveKA

 

[Norman]

Thanks. I'm still unclear on whether getting into a physics masters program is more about the degree itself or the coursework plus research, etc.

I am really not sure what you mean by this, could you be more clear?

What I planned to do is to rack up as many physics courses I could along the way and get involved in research, something that an advisor told me is a possibility as a math major. There is also an accelerated (5 year program if one is just starting) Master's program for Mathematics where I am attending (University of South Florida), which is appealing as well to me as a late bloomer. I'm not trying to rush but I don't want to waste time either.

This seems very reasonable to me. I knew a few people in my PhD program who came from Math BS degrees into physics PhDs.

 

[dkotschessaa]

I am really not sure what you mean by this, could you be more clear?

Certainly. When applying to a master's program, I'm not clear what is being taken into account in order to be accepted. Is it just the degree, or the courses (independent of degree). I think it's the latter. Also, I was told by an advisor that I should attempt to get involved in research (in physics) as an undergraduate as soon as possible. So let's assume my B.A. is in mathematics, with perhaps a minor in physics and a few years doing undergraduate research. Is that a good candidate for a masters or is it likely I would still have to take more physics courses?

This seems very reasonable to me. I knew a few people in my PhD program who came from Math BS degrees into physics PhDs.

Ok. So it's not an idea I puled out of a hat then. I'd been getting the idea that you almost had to double major. I realize that may be ideal, but I'm not getting any younger. This fact also makes the 5 year bachelor's/masters more appealing (perhaps 3 years or 4 for me).

-DaveKA

 

[Norman]

Certainly. When applying to a master's program, I'm not clear what is being taken into account in order to be accepted. Is it just the degree, or the courses (independent of degree). I think it's the latter.

I think it is likely to be your degree plus courses. Remember, your degree is (likely) from an accredited program. The accreditation is what (in some form) tells others what you have achieved because there are some standards**. Your whole transcript is looked at, the question is in how much detail. That likely varies largely.


**Very loosely stated.

Also, I was told by an advisor that I should attempt to get involved in research (in physics) as an undergraduate as soon as possible.

This is very good advice. There has been a large push in the last decade for undergraduate research as an integral part of graduate school admissions. At least in physics. I cannot say anything about math, since I have no experience there.

So let's assume my B.A. is in mathematics, with perhaps a minor in physics and a few years doing undergraduate research. Is that a good candidate for a masters or is it likely I would still have to take more physics courses?

I assume you mean a masters in physics with a computational physics emphasis? Or do you mean a masters in Math?

Ok. So it's not an idea I puled out of a hat then. I'd been getting the idea that you almost had to double major. I realize that may be ideal, but I'm not getting any younger. This fact also makes the 5 year bachelor's/masters more appealing (perhaps 3 years or 4 for me).-DaveKA

No it is not unheard of, but if you want to do a computational physics masters through a physics department (emphasis on physics here), you are going to end up getting the equivalent to a physics bachelors one way or another. Everyone in my grad program who did not have a physics BS, were required to prove mastery of the undergraduate physics curriculum through an exam and if you did not perform satisfactorily you took the upper level undergraduate physics classes.

I am still uncertain if you are looking for advice for a computational physics masters or a mathematics masters program. If you want to do computational physics, then I would strongly suggest a physics BS. If you want to do applied math (which is very closely related to computational physics but also not the same) I would stick with a math BS.

 

[dkotschessaa]

I assume you mean a masters in physics with a computational physics emphasis? Or do you mean a masters in Math?

A masters in physics. (Computational or not, but certainly heavy on the math).

No it is not unheard of, but if you want to do a computational physics masters through a physics department (emphasis on physics here), you are going to end up getting the equivalent to a physics bachelors one way or another. Everyone in my grad program who did not have a physics BS, were required to prove mastery of the undergraduate physics curriculum through an exam and if you did not perform satisfactorily you took the upper level undergraduate physics classes.

I see. So if I have the knowledge of the subject through whatever means (which for me would include research and even self-study) and can prove mastery of that I should be ok.

I am still uncertain if you are looking for advice for a computational physics masters or a mathematics masters program. If you want to do computational physics, then I would strongly suggest a physics BS. If you want to do applied math (which is very closely related to computational physics but also not the same) I would stick with a math BS.

Sorry about any confusion - I'm just trying to get my bearings. Right now the university I've applied to is rather large and I haven't been able to get any really good coaching, and I don't start until January.

I was under the impression (or hope, perhaps) that computational physics involved more math than computer science. Since I've spent a number of years working in I.T. I'm not quite as passionate about the computing aspect of it as the mathematical aspect, but it's my background so I want to leverage that in some way. Since I'm re-starting my education I don't want to dump 10 years of I.T. experience.

The only reason I brought up the masters in Math is that it's something my school offers as a combined b.a./m.a. program. That's yet another option I'm exploring.

-DaveKA