Questions tagged [physics]
On standards or conventions specific to physics as an academic discipline, and programs that lead to a degree in this field.
326
questions
0
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0answers
61 views
Transitioning from Electrical Engineering to Physics *after* graduating
tl;dr: Graduating from EE with Ph.D. offers, but thinking about shifting to physics.
Hi Everyone,
Background: I'm an Electrical Engineering and Chemistry major (weird combination, I know). I am now ...
2
votes
2answers
139 views
What is an academic and formal way to define variables?
I'm currently writing my IB Extended Essay in physics. I wonder how I can define variables in a formal way. I originally used a triple bar (e.g. "F≡buoyant force"). However, I'm not sure if this is ...
1
vote
1answer
83 views
Informative article about physics and quote on “physicists don't care about precise numbers, they care about trends” [closed]
I am writing an informative article about physics for the general public, and I was wondering if there is any quote by some famous physicist on the concept that usually physicist care about ...
0
votes
1answer
130 views
How can I ease in to the research arena?
I'm a first year graduate student and my age is 24. I got a degree in statistics, but it was not that interesting. I barely got into a below average grad school program in mathematics. I want to ...
0
votes
1answer
54 views
Personal Statement(s) for two similar masters courses
I'm applying to two courses viz - Mathematical Physics MSc and Theoretical Physics MSc at the University of Edinburgh. I'm currently a final year bachelors student. From what I can gather post a ...
0
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0answers
47 views
Grad School application that's submitted early with a decent LOR vs Application that's submitted rather late but with a better LOR
I am a final year bachelor's student in physics and I am applying to masters programs in physics, in the UK.
The places I am applying to have a rolling admissions process and I wanted to submit my ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
What are the most valuable skills to learn to be considered for a quantum optics PhD position? [closed]
I have a master degree in thin-films interferometry, and I want to receive a Ph.D position in the area of Quantum optics. How can I assure receiving this position? What are the required skills or ...
34
votes
7answers
11k views
Applying for a postdoc. Should I mention that I completed my PhD with no supervision?
I'm hopefully in the last half a year or so of my Ph.D. in a subfield of mathematics/theoretical physics and am considering applying for a postdoc within the next three months.
My supervisor works (...
-1
votes
1answer
243 views
Didnt take the final exams yet I got an A grade [closed]
Well to start with, I dropped out of college for reasons that have to do with mom's health and hence I was ought to go back my home country. It was just right before my finals, to be more precise ...
2
votes
1answer
208 views
What to expect from a Skype PhD interview in physics?
I have a Skype interview for a physics PhD in Austria, and was wondering what level the questions are likely pitched at. While I have a Master's degree, it is from the UK and I am aware that students ...
1
vote
4answers
175 views
Is it possible to get into an elite physcis grad school for theory without having already taken graduate level courses?
I'm about to embark on improving my PGRE score for the fall test (didn't do so hot the first time) and I'm wondering if it will even be worth the year-long effort. Also, I'm taking a couple years off ...
1
vote
0answers
130 views
Difference between “letter of motivation” and “research statement”
I am applying to a PhD position (theoretical physics, Austria) and the application asks for a letter of motivation, a CV, and a statement of research interests.
Given that I have no publications/...
1
vote
1answer
186 views
How important is being in a good institute for a theoretical physicist? [closed]
Will being in a underfunded institute and with mediocre colleagues hinder the performance of a theoretical physicist to a great degree?
1
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0answers
53 views
Typical research on experience for physics graduate school applicants
I am applying to US PhD programs in physics. I do not have much research experience because I am an international student transferring from a completely different field. When checking the profiles of ...
1
vote
1answer
111 views
Career in Mathematics as an Electrical Engineer [closed]
I am a university freshman with major in Electrical Engineering. My passion is pure math(topology, group theory etc). During my first semester I noticed that our math classes are not rigorous at all, ...
1
vote
5answers
311 views
How can a double major in Physics and Math help outside Academia? [closed]
I am a freshman at Stony Brook right now and intend to pursue Theoretical physics in the future. I will likely apply to graduate school immediately after graduation and have no plans of working in the ...
4
votes
1answer
208 views
Why are engineering departments so large in U.S. universities?
For a math or physics department at a good university in the United States, there might be 20 or so full-time faculty members, while in the engineering department, I've noticed that there can be more ...
2
votes
0answers
142 views
How to write a statement of purpose for a PhD project you do not understand?
I am trying to write a statement of purpose for a PhD position in physics in the UK. I have a master’s degree in physics which is the standard requirement for such a position.
I have been interested ...
0
votes
2answers
143 views
Should I apply to PhDs in the US (theoretical physics)? [closed]
I am a Cambridge Mathematics undergraduate (third year) and I want to be a theoretical physicist (I am taking the relevant courses, research experience, etc). I am confident I can get into Part III, ...
2
votes
1answer
199 views
I am extremely passionate about entropy/physics, but I don't think I can get into grad school. What can I do to pursue these topics sustainably? [closed]
I am a recent graduate in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland with a 2.94 GPA and a 3.01 major GPA and I am completely obsessed with entropy and the foundations of quantum physics. I'...
0
votes
3answers
155 views
CV for Physics Summer Schools
I am applying to summer schools for undergraduates in the US and all of them ask for a CV(in addition to other documents like a cover letter).
While I understand that a CV should be more descriptive ...
2
votes
5answers
458 views
Is it possible to pursue Physics PhD with poor mathematics background? [closed]
I am a 2 year (3rd semester) undergraduate student in physics and I have scored miserably in my two advanced mathematics courses. I got C- in both. It was mainly for not understanding many things. I ...
2
votes
2answers
300 views
Should I appeal my paper's rejection in PRL?
My manuscript in PRL was rejected after two rounds, although apparently quite narrowly.
First round the paper was sent to two referees. One was very supportive to accept, and the other provisionally ...
0
votes
4answers
284 views
How does the teaching of biology differ from teaching physics? [closed]
Respected teachers, I have this question for quite some time and I need your ideas.
When we teach physics we can have a lot of brainstorming sessions and adopt the "scientific method" ( ...
1
vote
1answer
119 views
Guide to reviewing a scientific article [duplicate]
I'll be reviewing a scientific article soon and I've not done this before. It'll be reviewing a popular article on an astrophysical topic. Undergraduate level but I'm open to any level of guidance.
...
1
vote
1answer
66 views
Applying to schools in the US - Theoretical fundamental physics
I am a theoretical physics masters student, currently on the process of applying to universities. I find it incredibly hard to gauge which universities I'm most likely to be accepted in. All the ...
17
votes
6answers
7k views
Do I even like doing research?
Currently, I am a part-time research assistant in the field of physics. My supervisor is brilliant and very nice. He always encourages me and says that I have done a great job so far. I don't know why ...
1
vote
3answers
393 views
How can I get paid for a PhD in Europe?
I'm confused: someone said that a PhD in Europe is free, someone said that you get paid. What's true? And how hard is to get a PhD salary in Physics in North Europe?
4
votes
1answer
156 views
How do researchers use published plots?
I was wondering how people deal with data represented with plots (of any kind) in a published paper, in particular for what regards Physics. When doing theoretical research (but not only), often you ...
1
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2answers
258 views
How to make sure one understands each and every detail while reading a textbook/research paper without leaving any gaps?
I am a physics Master's student. I have good grades, with CGPA above 9(/10)(However, all courses in my university are graded on a curve so the actual marks are significantly lower than 90%). This has ...
-1
votes
1answer
310 views
What do Grad Schools think about Pass/No Pass courses?
I am a physics major at UCLA with a busy schedule. I am currently taking 3 upper division physics courses every quarter while balancing 10-20 hours of research per week. I would like to learn more ...
2
votes
0answers
376 views
What is the average age of first tenure track positions in the Physics in the US?
On average, in physics departments in the US, at what age do people get their first tenure track positions? What about associate professor and full professor?
Update: Several commenters have asked ...
1
vote
2answers
248 views
Switching into Math/Physics
This is going to be long as I believe that the context is important.
I have always been fairly good at maths and physics (won state wide prizes in the math contests and even won a gold medal in the ...
1
vote
1answer
60 views
Physics Courses in Undergrad to Apply for Physics Grad Program [closed]
I am a sophomore physics student with an interest in studying applied physics or engineering in graduate school. I will take as many applied physics courses as I can in undergrad (and CS courses), but ...
3
votes
1answer
393 views
Can I do Part III of the Mathematics tripos as a part of my PhD in Cambridge University? [closed]
I am physics master's student in India. I wish to do my PhD in theoretical physics in the Applied Maths department at Cambridge (DAMTP). Can I apply for a PhD and do Part III as a part of it (akin to ...
1
vote
1answer
94 views
Possible internship topics for a second year undergraduate student interested in astrophysics [closed]
My question is about a specific field.
I am currently studying as a second year undergraduate in BSc program and I am genuinely curious about the field of theoretical astrophysics. I accept, at this ...
3
votes
2answers
560 views
I missed the PhD application deadline, what now?
I missed the PhD application deadline (Physics), and apart from applying late, what can I do if I get no position and I have to wait another year?
I would like to keep doing what I was doing for the ...
2
votes
1answer
147 views
I still do not, exactly, know my field of interest. Is it relevant while applying for PhD?
I am in my fourth year of BS-MS course in Physics in India. I will be applying for PhD next year but I do not have a specific topic in my mind.
Until now I have done 2 projects on Cosmology (related ...
4
votes
1answer
214 views
How might a PhD-holding physicist submit independent research after leaving academia, without appearing to be a crackpot?
There is a no dearth of crackpottery in the world of amateur physics research, nor in the world of independent research done by PhD-holding physicists. If I want to continue physics research in my own ...
-1
votes
1answer
71 views
Biophysics PhD after Master's in Computational Biology. Is it a common path? [closed]
I am doing my masters in computational life sciences. My fascination with the topic started with how physics elegantly explains the biological systems. More I am digging into the subjects, more I feel ...
41
votes
7answers
11k views
Will a paper be retracted if a flaw in released software code invalidates its central idea?
Say I have written code that performs a physics calculation. After this, I get a paper published based on the results of the code. In the interest of advancing the progress of science, I upload the ...
1
vote
0answers
74 views
Looking for an endorser to publish on arxiv.org as well as other suggestions [duplicate]
My grandfather, a long since retired professor, recently finished a very long in the making paper, which tries to cover a lot of ground around physics and general nature science. He is very old-school,...
-1
votes
1answer
183 views
Life cycle for Physical Review Letters [duplicate]
What is the average time does it take from the time you submit your paper to the time is it published in Physical Review Letters?
0
votes
1answer
104 views
Poster about a published article (Poster session in physics conference)
What is the usual way to indicate on the poster that the poster is just a summary of an already published article?
I plan to give the reference as part of the poster title at the top, such as:
...
1
vote
2answers
107 views
Which Universities admit CS graduates for their theoretical physics course? [closed]
Hello am currently an undergraduate student. My major is CSE. But I am very much interested to do my masters and then PhD in theoretical physics/mathematical physics. Is there any university that ...
0
votes
3answers
175 views
Employment in academia for doctorates w/o same field undergrad
I'm an undergraduate in Mechanical Engineering interested in a career in academia, especially Physics. A middle aged person in India (from where I am) I recently met told me he couldn't find ...
1
vote
3answers
233 views
How can I credit an Original Image on my thesis?
I'm writing my master's thesis (in physics) in which I included a drawing that a friend of mine made for me using Adobe Illustrator. I would like to cite him as an author.
Usually, for reproducible ...
2
votes
2answers
136 views
What factors do I consider before deciding to ask my summer research guide for a recommendation for grad school?
I've currently finished two years of undergraduate study in physics. I'm at the end of a close to two month summer research program in math, at one of the best universities in my country. While I'd ...
2
votes
2answers
293 views
Transitioning from Electrical Engineering to Astronomy/Physics [closed]
I have a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering(Fresh Graduate with emphasis on Electronics/RF-Microwaves). I'm thinking Engineering is not for me and want to pursue Astronomy/Physics.
How hard is ...
1
vote
2answers
287 views
Climbing the ∞ university well - Theoretical Physics [closed]
I'm an MPhys student who almost finished his undergraduate. I'm doing a masters in theoretical physics next year, probably at Kings College London. I have been rejected by Imperial and Cambridge(Part ...
