Alright, I'm at the point where I need to be finding a college soon. Problem is, I'm not sure what classes I really need to be looking for. I'm interested in theoretical physics, specifically cosmology, but I have no idea what classes are typically associated with this. My best guess would be, obviously, cosmology, as well as relativity....but no two colleges seem to offer the same classes. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm utterly lost here.
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4tran2009-07-17 5:39
a) you in US?
b) any GR/cosmology course should work
GR is more mathematical in nature, so you might also want to consider looking into what astrophysics classes are available.
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Anonymous2009-07-17 8:19
>>2
Yes, I am in the US. Now, what exactly would GR/cosmology/astrophysics classes entail?
Also, I was recently looking at a college, and their class schedule listed only "Modern Physics" and "General Physics". Does this mean that this would be a poor college choice or is it just that they use ambiguous names?
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Anonymous2009-07-17 10:41
At most universities, as an undergraduate pursuing a bachelor's you will study basic physics and work your way up to quantum/modern physics, mechanics, e&m, etc. Some curriculum allow you to focus on a specialization, astrophysics being one, going into topics as relativity, black holes, cosmology, etc. These would usually be in your upper division.
Most of what you describe won't be available until graduate school. It's not so much that it is a poor college, but the most interesting things arrive way later in your studies. You might be able to take graduate level courses as electives. Theoretical physics can be very non-intuitive at times, so you would want to have a rich background in physics and mathematics before attacking such topics that will in most cases not appear until graduate school. There are plenty of books and online resources for you to investigate these topics if you cannot wait so don't be too disappointed.
Again, the way it works most of the time is to study for a Physics B.S., get a strong background, and study what you mention later in graduate school. Good luck.
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Anonymous2009-07-18 16:02
Astrophysics/math double major here.
If you want to do the really cool stuff, you gotta work up from the bottom. Major in physics/astrophysics at the least, then go to grad school for these subjects. Do well in your math courses and your basic physics courses, no matter how frivolous they may seem at the time. You may never have to know how a refrigerator works ever again, but you're not there to REALLY learn physics. You're there to learn a thought process, a way to examine the details and solve a problem using math and some basic axioms.
You should look into schools, specifically universities with strong science backgrounds. This way, when you've been there a year or two, you have a shot at an internship with a professor of some kind, or a lab tech job of sorts. Believe it or not, some schools are actually eliminating their Physics major options because too few people take that route nowadays. So MAKE SURE the school you're looking at actually has a major for physics. You don't need to go to Harvard to become a good scientist. But going to a school with a good science background can make the difference.
That's my 2 cents. Worry about grad school later, it'll clear up.
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4tran2009-07-19 3:20
>>5
Yeah, the budget crisis is hitting hard, but I didn't know that some schools are completely eliminating physics lol.
Doing well in undergrad is more important than the name of your undergrad school. Grad school/PhD adviser matters a lot more if you're doing real physics.
Unfortunately, GR/cosmology is pretty high up the tech tree, so you've got a whiles to go.
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Anonymous2009-07-20 3:07
Move to Canada and get a degree in astrophysics, The schools are good, living is cheap, and the degree and programs are amazing,I'd recommend shooting for a Canadian Ivy League School, they're more research oriented than the US Ivy League, and eligibility of a school to be considered for it is best on grade acceptance, at least look at UoT (University of Toronto,) Queens, or McGill, they're some of the top schools in the country, and McGill is one of the top ranked in the world for physical sciences. Best of Luck OP
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Anonymous2009-07-20 16:10
>>7
I've always wanted to study overseas (USA undergrad here) but I figure why not Canada? High energy physics/astrophysics is one of my areas of concentration. Lots of great universities there, plus home to the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, mentioned to me by a friend, which looks like a wet dream to me. Definitely at the top of my list.
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Anonymous2009-07-20 22:01
why not Canada?
Because there is snow 6 months of the year and 12% tax on everything you buy.
Oh, and McGill is surrounded by the French.
On the plus side, not wanting to stay there will make you work harder.
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Anonymous2009-07-20 22:51
OP here....
>>7
Are you talking about undergrad or not? If not, I'd be concerned with credit transfer, but other than that, it does sound nice.
>>8
I never knew Perimeter was such a big name college...applied to the physics summer camp there, and it did look fantastic. Also, what exactly does high energy physics entail?
>>9
Snow just gives you a reason not to go outside :P