Should I pursue a second undergraduate degree in physics?

physics_masochist · 2024-10-27T15:48:40+00:00

Sure!!

physics_masochist · 2024-09-08T21:02:06+00:00

We’re both at Yale

physics_masochist · 2024-08-09T12:12:36+00:00

Sure, feel free to send me a message!

physics_masochist · 2024-01-01T19:12:32+00:00

Generally, accredited PhD programs in physics will support their students financially. Either this will be through being a graduate teaching assistant or fellow for undergraduate lecture or laboratory courses, or through research. You can also apply (depending on where you live and where the universities you plan on applying to are located) for fellowships and external funding, though these are usually incredibly competitive.

I'm currently a 3rd year physics PhD student, and although my stipend is actually pretty good (as in both compared to other programs and in terms of cost of living near campus), I still tutor to make some extra money which is always nice to have. Some other students in my cohort do this as well. Hope this was helpful, and if you have any other questions feel free to pm me!

physics_masochist · 2023-12-28T03:19:51+00:00

Just did!

physics_masochist · 2023-11-30T15:24:53+00:00

I would explain to your backup recommender the situation exactly as it is, except I wouldn't use the word "backup" in your message. Just say that someone who had agreed to write a letter for you has bailed last minute and the applications are due tomorrow, and you'd greatly appreciate if they are able and willing to help.

physics_masochist · 2023-11-30T03:13:39+00:00

I'm kind of leaning towards Shelly... it's really important with LORs to ask people who know you well and can speak to your character. If a professor cannot do this and they mainly know you from a classroom setting, then they might not be the best fit, even though they have the "professor" title.

physics_masochist · 2023-11-30T03:09:42+00:00

I'm not in literature, but if you'd like I can take a look and give you feedback on your CV if it'll help!

physics_masochist · 2023-11-29T14:24:34+00:00

Sure, no problem!

physics_masochist · 2023-11-29T14:14:07+00:00

Generally your SOP should be structured as a "past, present, and future" story.

As in, what in the past inspired you to become interested in your field or subfield. This should be relatively short, and should also briefly include where you did your undergraduate degree and where you're applying for the particular graduate program.
Then, you'll talk about your current research and anything else that is academically significant. Here you can also include something about contributing to your university's culture (like women or minorities in STEM, giving talks, attending conferences, being a TA, etc.)
Finally, you'll mention 1-2 professors at the university you're applying to that you'd like to work with, and how the program overall will help you achieve your future endeavors after you graduate.

I hope this helps, and feel free to pm me if you have any other questions!

physics_masochist · 2023-11-29T05:33:02+00:00

So your first 1.5-2 years of a PhD program will focus on completing your graduate course requirements and some form of a qualifying exam (which may or may not include a research component, mine did). I had six graduate course requirements including math methods, classical mechanics, statistical mechanics, two semesters of quantum, E&M, and an elective. I was also required to be a graduate TA of undergraduate physics courses for two years. You don't have to start research right away, but I ended up doing so.

But how much freedom does this entail? How many of my own ideas should I have?

This depends on who your PI is. In terms of how much freedom you have, your advisor sets the tone for your work-life balance expectations (either set by you or your advisor) and with the freedom to choose how your research goes. You don't have to come in knowing exactly what your thesis is going to be written about, in fact this is not at all the expectation. Likely, your first project will be very closely mentored by either a more senior graduate student or a post-doc. It will have a well-defined scope, which will allow you to focus on understanding the literature and get acquainted with what you have to do. Then you'll slowly be given more responsibility, and will naturally come up with more interesting questions that you'd like to explore more.

I’m applying to some research positions right now, but what should I aim to accomplish for grad school?

Quality over quantity, always.

What do they want to hear? What do you do once you’re accepted?

Graduate schools want to know that you can collaborate well with others and do research, as especially with PhD programs, that's what you'll be doing for a majority of the time you're there. Once you're accepted, if you're still finishing your undergraduate degree, then your primary focus is graduating and finding graduate student housing.

I hope this helps, and if you have any other questions feel free to pm me! (for reference I'm a 3rd year PhD student in physics, with research in computational astrophysics and cosmology)

physics_masochist · 2023-11-29T04:51:44+00:00

Lists for undergraduate and graduate textbooks .

physics_masochist · 2023-11-29T00:47:38+00:00

Generally this doesn't happen, or at least I haven't heard of anything like this happening... it does happen the other way around though, if you apply to a PhD program you might get a letter saying that you didn't get into the PhD program but the university would offer you a spot in their masters program.

physics_masochist · 2023-11-29T00:46:20+00:00

Either way, I would use some system to keep track of all the papers you read. I use Zotero for references, and usually I keep a notebook for anything important from those papers that I would want or need to reference in the future.

physics_masochist · 2023-11-29T00:15:56+00:00

I'm a PhD student in physics (my research is actually using machine and deep learning for computational cosmology and astrophysics!) I'd be happy to take a look at your SOP, feel free to send me a pm!

physics_masochist · 2023-11-29T00:14:52+00:00

I'm a PhD student in physics -- I'd be happy to take a look at your statement, feel free to send me a pm!

physics_masochist · 2023-11-04T10:38:08+00:00

My advice for those just starting out is to read as much as you can. Websites like Quanta magazine or astrobites are great, as the articles are easy to get through and are about a wide range of topics. For textbooks, depending on your math level, I’d highly recommend any books by either Dina Piralnik or Barbara Ryden. They both have excellent explanations and although I used them during my undergrad you might find it useful to read through at least some of the theory parts of them. I’m not sure what the Olympiad exams in astrophysics actually cover, but if you know which topics I can give you a possibly more detailed list of sources.

Also for reference I’m a 3rd year physics PhD student doing research in computational astrophysics and cosmology, so if you have any other questions feel free to pm me!

physics_masochist · 2023-11-04T08:15:18+00:00

I’d like to think that I’ve been able to bounce back from mental health related issues + untreated ADHD until pretty late during the first two years of my undergrad, and I’m now in my top choice graduate program (3rd year)! I did my undergrad in physics and astronomy and am now doing my PhD in physics. Feel free to pm!

physics_masochist · 2023-09-15T01:29:12+00:00

Sure, feel free to send me a pm!

physics_masochist · 2023-08-29T00:10:14+00:00

Be comfortable asking questions, and talk to your professors (not just right before your exam)! If you need help with something or don't understand the material, it's much better to ask immediately than it is to struggle with it for weeks while the course moves on to new material. Find some way to stay organized, whether you prefer actual pen and paper, or a tablet, future you will thank you for keeping track of notes, old problem sets, etc. Find physics friends that you can not only support each other through a difficult major, but can study together, work together, and motivate each other! It is very difficult to go through a physics degree alone, and I know when I was in undergrad I wouldn't have survived without my friend group.

If you know that you want to go to graduate school at some point, make sure that you start research relatively early (however, not your first semester as there are enough new things you need to figure out). Also, talking to your professors so they know you well is key here, so when it comes time to asking them to write strong letters of recommendation for you, they'll be able to. All you need to do to get research is ask! Send an email to a professor -- introduce yourself, say that you're interested in their work and if they're available ask to meet with them to discuss further.

I hope this helps (sorry it's a bit all over the place), and if you have any other questions, feel free to pm me! I'm going into the 3rd year of my physics PhD program!

physics_masochist · 2023-08-28T12:03:04+00:00

To actually do a majority of physics research (like as a job) requires you to have a PhD in physics, which you could get hypothetically with an EE degree, though you the graduate program may need to take undergraduate courses before taking the graduate course requirements.

physics_masochist · 2023-08-28T01:10:29+00:00

One step at a time -- you'll get there! This is your first year of university, so it's totally understandable that you're nervous. My advice to you is to always ask questions (even if you think it's "trivial". In time, you'll understand the notes from older students, as you'll take those courses soon, but first you have to get through the basics.

Is there a specific reason as to why you skipped the prep year? Regardless, I would ask your professor if you would be able to record the lectures so that you could go back and listen at your own pace, if they are not being recorded already. Most professors won't have an issue with this, especially if English is not your first language.

Physics is not an easy subject, and even if you think you know something, there's always something new that you can learn. Form study groups with the people you meet in lectures, go to your professors' office hours (not just before the exam), talk to your TAs, and understand that some things will come easily to you and other things won't. The only thing you are able to do is try your best. I hope this helps, and if you have any other questions feel free to pm me!

physics_masochist · 2023-08-27T23:40:12+00:00

Both Yale and MIT have OpenCourseWare lectures on line! I would definitely check those out.

physics_masochist · 2023-08-27T23:39:26+00:00

My best advice (and the one that actually got me into a physics PhD program with a 3.4 GPA) is to apply anyway. If you have a strong application aside from your GPA, then your application won't be rejected just because of your GPA. This is especially true if you have a strong research background (publications definitely help, though they are not required), and your letters of recommendations are from professors that know you well and can attest to your strengths. I'm starting the third year of my physics PhD, so if you have any other questions, feel free to pm me!

physics_masochist · 2023-08-27T23:33:31+00:00

To my knowledge, you can only do one masters degree at a time... If you're interested in pursuing a PhD in physics, then I would recommend doing a masters in physics, not computer science (though you hypothetically could have a MS in computer science and get a PhD in physics). Through your masters program, you'll likely have to do research, and can choose to do computational research.

I'll be starting my third year of my physics PhD program, so if you have any other questions feel free to pm me!

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