Will these courses prepare me for grad school?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the adequacy of a specific set of undergraduate courses for preparing a student for graduate school in various fields, including physics, engineering, mathematics, and potentially other sciences. Participants explore the implications of the chosen coursework and its relevance to different graduate programs.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines their coursework in an engineering/physics math major and questions whether it is sufficient for graduate school in various fields.
  • Another participant argues that the coursework would not adequately prepare someone for a pure mathematics Ph.D. program, citing specific subjects that would be necessary for better preparation.
  • Some participants emphasize the importance of lab classes in physics and suggest that quantum mechanics is a critical area of study for those pursuing graduate studies in physics or astronomy.
  • One participant notes that their Wave Mechanics course is intended to cover quantum mechanics and considers taking additional physics labs as electives.
  • A participant with a similar background expresses confidence that the coursework is well-rounded enough for graduate studies in physics and related fields, provided the student performs well academically and gains research experience.
  • Another participant highlights a contradiction regarding the adequacy of the coursework for mathematics graduate programs, referencing a previous comment that suggests it would not be sufficient.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on whether the coursework is sufficient for graduate school. Some participants believe it is adequate for applied fields, while others argue it falls short for pure mathematics. The necessity of additional courses, particularly in quantum mechanics and lab work, is also debated.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying opinions on the importance of specific courses and research experience, indicating that the adequacy of the coursework may depend on the particular graduate program and field of study. There are also mentions of potential gaps in the curriculum that could affect readiness for graduate-level work.

Chubigans
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
Hello everyone! My school has a rather odd math major - it just so happens to perfectly suit me. I studied engineering for the first 2 years of school, as well as a little bit of CS, and all my classes fit perfectly in this major "Mathematics - Engineering/physics track." I should be able to graduate in four years with this major, which is a big bonus. Besides that, I was planning on either doing a basic applied math major or physics major, but both of these take 5 years total since I have been doing engineering.

Here's what I'll have taken in my engineering/physics math major:
Prerequisites:
Calc Sequence + diffeq
Physics I-III
Prob & stats for engineers
Intro to discrete structures
Computer Science I

Math Classes:
Mathematical Modeling
Vector & Tensor Analysis
Appl of Complex Variables
Applied Boundary Value Problems I and II
Advanced Calculus I
Linear Algebra
Numerical Calculus

Physics/Engi Classes:
Electricity & Magnetism I, II
Physics Mechanics
Thermal & Statistical Physics
Wave Mechanics I, II
Engineering Mechanics - Statics + Dynamics
Solid Mechanics

So that's it. The reason I'm taking this major is because I really don't know what I want to do for grad school, but I'm hoping a URE should clear things up by senior year. If I were to dislike my physics classes, I could switch to all upper level mechanical engineering classes instead, but I doubt I would do that.

The question is, are these classes enough to get me into physics/engineering/math/other science grad school? What if I wanted to go into mathematical economics? Earth sciences? Astronomy? Would my wide background be looked upon favorably or unfavorably? Could I make up for some of the classes I was missing as prerequisites while in grad school?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I'd like some feedback on this if possible
 
I can only comment on how well that would prepare you for a pure mathematics Ph.D program.

The answer is that it would not prepare you well at all. You would need at least two semesters of algebra, two semesters of topology, another semester of analysis, and then some special topics for me to consider it decent preparation for a pure mathematics Ph.D. program. For it to be good, replace everything I just said with the first-year graduate versions and add in representation theory, algebraic number theory, and some algebraic geometry, all at the graduate level.

*However*, that looks nice for a significantly more applied program than pure mathematics. Again, I can't comment much on that aspect.
 
Which of the physics/engineering courses have been labs? Lab classes are an important part of the physics curriculum. If you want to pursue either physics or astronomy, you should take at least one class on quantum mechanics before graduate school.

And have you had any research experience?
 
It seems very odd that there is no quantum in there.
 
Where do you go to school? I swear we must go to the same school because everything you describe is the same as where I go (major, course names). :P
 
I go to UCF. I believe Wave Mechanics is supposed to be my quantum class. I can take some physics labs for electives if it's really imperative. Honestly, I'm just thinking of getting a double major even though it will set me back another year. Any opinions?

Edit: I'm doing my research in nonlinear dynamics and chaos
 
Well, I go to UCF too actually. I'm a junior Physics B.S. major with astronomy in mind. Well to answer your question I think it's a good bet that it will be good enough for grad school in Physics, mathematics, mathematical physics... it's a pretty well rounded major. Not only that, if you get well enough grades, get good research in, and overall learn a lot, you have a chance at any related graduate school option really. Physics majors who say study optics, like at our school, are capable to get a advanced degree in optical engineering. Really undergraduate courses are serving the purpose of enhancing your problem solving skills enough so that you can really specialize in the graduate level. Anywho, I guess I'll see you in some classes, haha.
 
Didn't zpconn just say he wouldn't take him as a graduate student for mathematics?
 

Similar threads

Schools How good and well-known is the physics program at RPI?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
Other Physics PhD after working for few years
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Programs Physics Masters at undergrad school before PhD?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Courses Advanced Math for Computational Material Science Engineering
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Admissions Graduating a year early anxieties + grad school
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Any tips for doing a PhD in theoretical physics?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
Preparing for Physics Grad School after Math/Comp Sci undergrad
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Programs Materials Engineering Undergrad Reflection
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Admissions How to prove Physics competency to grad school admission committees?
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
Admissions Curious about my grad school prospects
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K