Which UC School Is Best for Theoretical Physics?

[khemist]

As many may know, the UC system recently released all of their admission decisions. I was able to get into UCSD, UCSB, and UC Davis, each with the physics major. I want to do theoretical physics (as the title states), or something involving applied mathematics and physics. My interest lies with relativity, quantum mechanics, and the possibility of integrating them together. While I am not completely sure what my end game focus is, I have a good idea that I enjoy working with math equations, and I know that I am able to learn quite quickly if I am interested enough in the subject. Out of the three schools, does anyone have any suggestions about which might fit the best?

I currently know someone at Davis who is investigating electron spin in the applied mathematics program, and that would be an example of something that I might be interested in. Thanks for any help!

 

[Pengwuino]

Are you talking about undergrad or graduate work?

 

[khemist]

Undergraduate work. I am leaning towards UCSB at the moment because of their focus on mathematical physics, though that is only coming from the physics website of the three universities.

 

[eri]

At the undergrad level, you'll take one (maybe two) quantum mechanics courses and no general relativity. Just basic physics. The research you're talking about is grad school or beyond, and the 'holy grail' of physics (a theory of everything). Just start with taking the basic courses, and chances are good you'll eventually pick something a bit more specialized and a bit more realistic. Of those three, UCSB is the only one I know of with a fairly good program. But if you can major in physics at any of them, the any of them is fine.