What MS/PhD can you move to from BSPhys?

  • Context: Programs 
  • Thread starter Thread starter K.J.Healey
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the potential graduate study options available to individuals with a Bachelor's degree in Physics. Participants explore various fields such as Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Chemistry, and Biophysics, considering the prerequisites and acceptance criteria for these programs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that Applied Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering would likely accept students with a Physics background, although additional coursework may be required.
  • Others argue that acceptance into Electrical Engineering programs could be feasible if the applicant has relevant experimental experience with electronics.
  • A participant mentions that the ability to transition to a Mathematics graduate program may depend on the specific advanced math courses taken during undergraduate studies.
  • There is a suggestion that Physics majors could pursue medical school, provided they have completed the necessary biology and chemistry courses.
  • One participant raises the possibility of transitioning to Biophysics as a field of study.
  • Another participant notes that some Master's programs, such as those in business administration or computer science, may be accessible without a specific undergraduate degree in those fields.
  • Concerns are expressed about the suitability of Chemistry programs for Physics graduates, particularly regarding the background needed for organic chemistry.
  • There is a mention of the diverse skill set required in engineering disciplines, which may extend beyond physics and mathematics to include computing and programming skills.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specific graduate programs accessible to Physics graduates, as opinions vary on the requirements and suitability of different fields.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the variability of admission requirements across different universities and programs, as well as the dependence on individual coursework and experiences.

K.J.Healey
Messages
622
Reaction score
0
With a Physics Degree (Bachelors) in general, what other areas of study would accept you into their program without going back and getting another degree?
I believe Applied Mathematics would take you, most likely Mechanical Engineering.
But what about Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry/ Chem Engineering, etc?
I know even the ones that WOULD take you will most likely have you take extra courses to bring you up to speed, but they wouldn't require a full bachelors in the material.

I know some of the time its based on which University it is, but I'm just wondering if anyone knows IN GENERAL, or has personal experience.

I believe I would have been allowed to join a Geology degree once (though I passed) because my thesis would have been on physical simulations of environments.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I guess this depends on what types of courses you've taken. For example, most physics majors take a few advanced undergrad math courses, so most could probably go to grad school in math. But if you're one of those physics majors who didn't take any math after vector calculus and differential equations, then probably not. Believe it or not, I have a math degree, and I still wouldn't be able to get into any math PhD program, since I've never taken algebra, analysis, or topology (though I could get into an MS program with my level of coursework).

I'm fairly certain that a you could likely get into an electrical engineering program, if you've had a decent amount of experimental experience that involved electronics. It's also not atypical for physics majors to go to medical school, provided that they've taken two semesters of organic chemistry, general biology, and biochemistry.

Not so sure about chemistry though. I probably don't have enough knowledge of chemistry programs to talk about that.
 
what about biophysics?
 
I'm not at a grad level myself yet, but two areas suggest themselves to me based on what I've picked up.
There's quite a few Masters' courses that are more or less self contained. At my uni (Durham) I'm thinking of the MBA (business administration) and one in compsci (not an area that's ever interested me that much so I'm sketchy on the details, but from the posters I've seen selling it I think it's in Networks and the Internet or some such).
The second category of disciplines related to physics; the first two I can think of are applied mathematics (like the CASM at Cambridge) and the philosophy of science... but then I'm weird :D
I have a friend who did a physics PhD at Manchester in atomic physics (fine structure of energy levels in nitrogen) and said more or less identical work was going on over the road in the physical chemistry building, so I'd imagine you'd be ok there; organic chem I doubt would be open to you however, as from my limited knowledge of chem research it seems to involve a lot of synthesis you probably don't have the background for.
Engineering would make intuitive sense... but I honestly have absolutely no idea about it as a discipline beyond that. The only note of caution I'd sound is that my engineer friends have a pretty diverse skill base beyond competence physics and maths which seems to involve a fair degree of computing- CAD and programming in C++ etc.
 

Similar threads

Replies
12
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 50 ·
2
Replies
50
Views
12K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K