Which Courses Should I Take for My Graduate Studies in Chemical Physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around selecting appropriate courses for graduate studies in Chemical Physics. Participants share their experiences and suggest considerations for course selection, particularly in the context of the original poster's background and thesis interests.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) seeks advice on course selection for an M. Sc. in Chemical Physics, mentioning a background in Chemistry, Physics, and Math, and a tentative thesis topic in coherent control.
  • One participant suggests that discussing course choices with an academic advisor is essential, as they would have more insight into the program and the OP's specific needs.
  • Another participant agrees with the importance of academic advisors but notes that at their school, students often determine their courses by reviewing available options.
  • A participant mentions the absence of a separate academic advisor from the thesis advisor, indicating variability in advisor structures across institutions.
  • Another participant provides a link to a list of core courses from a different institution, suggesting that the OP check similar resources to inform their course selection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of academic advisors in course selection, but there is disagreement about the availability and role of such advisors, with some indicating they do not have separate advisors from their thesis supervisors.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying experiences regarding academic advising structures and course selection processes, highlighting that these may differ significantly between institutions.

Who May Find This Useful

Graduate students in Chemical Physics or related fields considering course selection, especially those navigating the advising process.

azupol
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Hi all,

I'm starting my grad work in September and I'm trying to decide which courses to take. I'll be doing an M. Sc. in Chemical Physics, and potentially a Ph. D. My undergrad was in Chemistry, with minors in Physics and Math. My tentative choice of thesis topic is coherent control (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coherent_control).

Given that information about me, I would appreciate any advice for course choices that may be useful to me, from this list:

http://www.chem.utoronto.ca/_shared/files/grad/Physical Chemistry Catalogue.pdf
 
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Shouldn't this be something you discuss with your academic advisor, who should know a lot more of the program, the requirements, and more importantly, about you?

Zz.
 
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ZapperZ said:
Shouldn't this be something you discuss with your academic advisor, who should know a lot more of the program, the requirements, and more importantly, about you?

Zz.

So, that's what I thought, and I'm in the same position as OP. As it turns out, at least at my school, you figure out what to take by looking at courses and seeing what you might need. Maybe OP's school is the same, hence asking for advice.
 
You don't have an academic advisor? I was assigned one coming in (this person is usually not someone's thesis advisor).
 
No academic advisor that is separate from our thesis advisor. I also don't have my thesis advisor yet, we pick in September.
 
Scroll down to Sample Courses: http://phys.colorado.edu/graduate-students/masters-degree

"
Five Core Courses to be selected from the following:

Introduction to Research in Modern Physics (PHYS 5430)

Quantum Mechanics 1 & 2 (PHYS 5250, 5260)

Electromagnetic Theory 1 & 2 (PHYS 7310, 7320)

Theoretical Mechanics (PHYS 5210)

Statistical Mechanics (PHYS 7230)"
Other schools have guidelines too. Since your school doesn't offer any, check out the above and maybe some other and put together a course list you think is satisfactory.
 
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