I am currently doing MPhil degree in Electrical Engineering (Sensors &amp; Robotics). I did my bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering as well.  I have real motivation and love to do research on Theoretical Physics as well. The more I learn physics more I need to do a research on physics.  My initial thought was to get an M.Phil on the current University in EE and get my Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from some other more reputed university. But since now I have an idea of doing Ph.D. in physics, now I am thinking of extending my M.Phil to a Ph.D. and finish it and do another Ph.D. on physics in a foreign University (Australia).  I have two questions, 1)what is your opinion on this path? I appreciate answers, especially by PhD supervisors. 2) Does getting a Ph.D. in electrical engineering minimize my chances of getting selected for a PhD( funded Ph.D.) in theoretical physics? (I mean is it better to apply for Ph.D. in theoretical physics after completion of just M.Phil).  Note: It takes only one extra year for Ph.D. if I extend my M.Phil.
110636
I currently work as an Aerospace Engineer for the Department of Defense for nearly 6 years now, and I have a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from a top-10 university in the United States. I am seriously thinking of doing a 2nd PhD in Computer Science, because I want to eventually own an Algorithmic Energy Trading Firm and need to become an expert in Machine Learning algorithms.  As of now, I am working on a few journal papers to publish and I am not going to have any problems getting strong letters of recommendation from my employer and professors on campus.  I ought to be able to get a letter from the Dean of my college as well.  So, I am thinking of a second PhD in Computer Science because I really want to immerse myself in Machine Learning and figured a PhD was the way to go.  Question for everyone:  Would it be a challenge for me to acquire entrance into a top 5 school in Computer Science for a PhD?  I ought to mention that my PhD research was in Computational Fluid Dynamics, Turbulent Flow and I had to develop my numerical solver and turbulence models in Object-Oriented C++.
119606
I earned my bachelors in Computer Engineering from my home country. I am now enrolled in a Physics masters program in the same university. Next year I plan to find a different university in Europe in which to enroll in a Computer Engineering PhD program.  However I doubt that I'll receive any scholarships from my homeland's government when studying abroad. Can I survive if I start to live out of my own my pocket? Is that enough to live in Europe just for a half year. Are there any available funds that can supplement my income such as a TA/RA's salary?  My main question is:   How to survive if I want to study PhD in Europe without any scholarship from my home country? Which country might provide sufficient support for a foreigner to study at graduate level?   I am interested to Germany and Finland but any European country would be acceptable!
23890
EDIT:  I was aware of the supposed duplicate.  But I'm interested in a clear and focused path through the basics to advanced theoretical physics such as string theory - a path that avoids studying engineering physics - for a pure mathematician with no physics background.  I can't see in the supposed duplicate where this path is outlined.  ...  I'm a pure mathematics PhD student in Riemannian geometry / geometric analysis.  My main interests are in Einstein manifolds, Ricci flow, harmonic maps, and Yang-Mills theory.    I have no training whatsoever in physics:  I've never even picked up the typical 1,500 page textbook titled Physics for Scientists and Engineers etc.  I've only ever read pure mathematics and can handle any level of pure mathematics to any level of abstraction.  I'd like to learn the background and basics in theoretical physics motivating the above areas of geometric analysis to develop physical intuition: general relativity, gauge field theories, and the standard model of particle physics, etc.  Ideally I also want to learn advanced theoretical physics such as quantum field theory, string theory, and sypersymmetry.  I'd like a structured path through basic to advanced theoretical physics for a mathematician with no physics training.  I have looked at many standard references in these areas but their assumptions on the physics background of the reader does not align with my background.  These standard references all start talking and explaining things in physics notation, terminology, concepts, and intuition that is assumed on the reader.  Question:  As a pure mathematician, how do I learn basic through to advanced theoretical physics in an clear, focused and structured way?  What books should I read?  Are there books tailored to a target audience like myself: a pure mathematician with no physics background?  If required, I'm happy to start from scratch by working through a 1,500 page physics textbooks.  However, after progressing through mathematics one realises that starting with working through the typical 1,500 page calculus textbook, such as Stewart Calculus, is unnecessary because those books are tailored to engineers.  Instead, one can start with a book on set theory, proof, and logic, and then go straight into standard undergraduate books like Rudin Principals of Mathematical Analysis and Herstein Topics in Algebra, etc.  Indeed, many universities offer a streamlined program of study for pure mathematics majors that avoids wasting time on engineering calculus.  Question:  Is it the same situation in physics?  Are those 1,500 page physics textbooks targeted mostly at engineers and is there a focused and streamlined path through theoretical physics that starts at the start of theoretical physics and gets to advanced theoretical physics such as quantum field theory and string theory without having to learn engineering physics?  I would be VERY grateful for someone to provide some book recommendations and possibly a structured path for achieving the above.
69295
I'm planning on getting into research in mathematical physics and was wondering about interesting topics I can get into and possibly make some progress on.   I'm particularity fond of abstract algebra and topology and if possible any topics that involve abstract algebra would/topology/calculus of variations would be especially appreciated
50646
Is it possible at all to do a PhD without a Master or a Bachelor's degree?   Every now and then I meet someone who claims he knows someone who knows someone who was able to do a PhD without previous degrees (maybe only with high-school).  Is that true, was it true in some specific cases?
47006
What should I opt for?   Option A) very well paid PhD, around €3000 per month at a respectable university or;  Option B) a non-paid PhD, where I have to pay €2000 per year at one of the top 10 universities of the world?  EDIT: Actually they are both UK universities, Option B  is ranked between the top 10 in the world in engineering and tech, and I do get a scholarship that pays 18000 pounds which covers the difference between international student tuition and EU tuition. In Option A, I will be doing research in a good university and will be working alongside giants in the industry.
70651
When applying for PhD programs (or  or ) that require only a statement of purpose and , I was advised to first check if some faculty members (or is one good enough?) in the university have the same research interests as I do. I remember reading or hearing something like, it may be helpful to read up on the research that those faculty members have done and possibly contact some of those faculty members, and then incorporate the reading and contacting in the statement of purpose.   So what could I ask those faculty members? What I think:      Hello Prof/Dr ___ .I'm interested in applying in your univ and am interested in X. Can I ask more about what you research? This is my  (I'm from blah blah blah. I have a master's, but it's in applied not pure math. I've done some self-study blah blah blah). Do you think I am a good fit for the university? Would you consider taking me on as a PhD student? Do you think I am better suited for MS/MPhil than a PhD?    And then how do I incorporate the e-mails in my statement of purpose?
83215
I apologize if this is off topic since it does not relate directly to the study of physics, but I could not think of a better place to ask.  I am a high school student graduating in a few days and have recently developed an interest in quantum mechanics. I began to study physics about one and a half years ago and calculus two years ago, and I feel confident about my abilities in integral and vector calculus (at a typical college Calc I–III level), differential equations, mathematical problem solving, and some set theory. I have been introduced to quantum behavior, particle physics, and nuclear physics, but none of these were delivered with a heavy focus on mathematics. Quantum physics, however, caught my attention as a future field of study due to its bizarre nature and inquisitive mathematical models.  Without prior knowledge of more difficult topics, I am concerned that attempting to study quantum mechanics will only provide entertainment rather than benefit my college career. I have selected a few books (Griffiths, Sakurai, Feynman, etc.) of which I will choose one to read over the summer of this year and onto college if I determine to do this.  Should I follow these plans without first strengthening my knowledge in other fields of physics and mathematics, as I dive directly into the topic? Or should I wait until I am more experienced in other fields before discouraging myself with the difficulty of quantum mechanics? If so, what areas of physics or mathematics would you recommend as prerequisites to the topic?
49094
I am finishing my first year of Masters and have always thought of going for a PhD in North America. I and my girlfriend are going to have a baby which is totally unexpected. The due day will be somewhere this december which I am still half year away from finishing my Masters degree.   I don't know under this circumstance should I still, or am I able to, apply for PhD positions overseas. This would mean I will have to leave them or bringing them together for my study. I am not super rich to afford a family personally and would need to rely on studentships, but I don't think graduate studentships are sufficient to afford the living expense and future education fees of my coming baby.  Taking on a PhD and a research career are definitely my dream and situation seems very difficult for these to come true. Anyone knowing someone carrying kids along grad school, or any suggestion to me? I just don't have a clue how to take care of everything.
55043
I have just completed a PhD by research, which I think has some merits in being available as a book (This is, of course, my personal opinion). The research cuts across several fields (e.g. sociology, public policy).  I am wondering what I need to do to take the next step.  In particular:   How do you turn an academic piece like the dissertation (which is written for the examiners) into a book (which is for the general public)? How do I find publishers who specialise in my field?
116121
When I was 23, I quit my computer science undergraduate studies at USC with only one semester worth of units left and a low (less than 3.0) GPA due to personal reasons.  I just turned 30 and have rekindled a desire to pursue research in computational neuroscience.  Is there any realistic hope of eventually getting into a PhD program and pursuing a career in academia, or is it too much of a long shot given my personal circumstances and the job market?    Basically, what I want to know is, if I were to finish my BS, kick ass in a master's program (applied mathematics), and have great GRE scores, would that overcome my abysmal undergraduate record and gap in years away from school?  The biggest obstacle in my view is getting into a terminal master's program with my undergraduate record.  If I were to get into a 1-year terminal master's program in mathematics at a sub-par university and do great, would I have a chance at a higher ranked university for my PhD?
44675
I am a Physics undergrad who is interested in pursuing a PhD in pure maths in the future (algebraic geometry/topology) but I am a bit unsure. My question is quite general, and I don't wish to provide more background for fear of bias in the answers.  My question: Is it is advisable/possible/unfavorable/favorable to apply for a PhD in a field, different from that in which you have done most of your undergraduate research?  My research (includes just reading and understanding papers, writing summaries until now, I havent published anything) mostly includes Quantum field theory, and gauge theory. Would the selection committee turn down an application to a pure maths field, if I have no research experience whatsoever?  I would also like to ask the question other way round. What if I concentrate my undergraduate research SOLELY on topics in pure maths such as algebraic geometry/topology and take other physics courses, would I be able to apply to a string theory PhD with a high chance of success?  Should I consider spending time on both of these (which is almost an impossible task), to improve my chances in both the areas or would research in one area, and grad level courses in the other suffice?  In brief: Should the PhD field you are applying to be the same as your undergraduate research area?
103135
I'm thinking about pursue my studies and doing a PhD in information technology.  My problem is that I would like to create something new (== write code), and focus my thesis on how this new technology works (each component and global interactions), what it can do, and how it can evolves / be improved. I'm not against doing research, reading books and work on theory - but I want to be more practical than theoretical.  I'm starting to think that a PhD is not a valid option if my goal is to develop something new instead of conducting pure research. Am I wrong ?  About my cursus: I will receive my master degree soon (~= 3 months). I come from a highly technical background, with 5 years of programming and project management.    Edit &amp; more information My university doesn't offers PhD courses, thus my supervisor don't care about   my choices. Another consequence is that I have no other choices than to go to another university.
49374
I'm interested in reading Dr. Peter Woit's article, Quantum field theory and representation theory: a sketch .  What math and physics background would be needed?  (A list of topics from the two fields would be more than sufficient.)  With great appreciation and regards.
123474
I am in the last months of my MSc and I have done my thesis. I have published some conference papers but most of them were literature reviews.  My MSc thesis is about solving wave equations by means of method of potentials and boundary elements. I am interested in pursuing research in another field (differential equations) but I have no idea how to start any topic that may lead to a journal publication.    By asking this question, I want to understand how a research student, whether a recently graduated MSc student or a PhD student, can start searching for a new research topic and develop some researches based on his own interests. Specially, I would like to know:   To what extent should a graduate student be dependent on faculty members? How can he be more independent and start his own research activities? Is it a good idea that the graduate work on another topic with the faculty member or work independently on a more recent research topic? If the person is in a research group or at the university, is it a good idea or is it ethical that he develop his own research interests, besides to the topics which are being developed in that institute? How should a graduate student manage this and make some progress in the research fields of his own interest? (In particular, sometimes the faculty members are not interested in the topics you are interested in and the person has to start his own research activity.)      And also, if this research is part of his independent research, at the time of publishing what affiliation should be used in the publications. Should it be "Independent Scholar" as mentioned in  or something else? This is important in academic publications, because sometimes, the person is in a research group, but he is publishing a paper as part of his own researches not the things he is doing in that institute; in this case, has he mention that institute's affiliation or use his own one? So please make it clear that how the affiliation would be when the person does research independently in the cases like when he is not working in a research group or he is working with a professor or research group but his publication is output of his own research activities? It is a little unclear.
100939
I'm in the following situation: In 3 months, I'll finish my PhD in theoretical physics, and I'm certain that I want to pursue an academic career. However, I'm just as certain that my PhD research is a dead end. (My advisor doesn't think so, but I disagree with him.) Thus, I seek to change the direction of my research, but I need a few months to obtain the necessary skills. Anyway, I missed the main application period for post-doc positions (in the US).  Given the following options (feel free to expand this list), which do you think provides the best perspective of leading me to a interesting post-doc position?   Finish my PhD. Get any post-doc position. Do the work I'm required to do there. Work hard in my spare time to teach myself the stuff I want to. After 1-2 years, find a post-doc position I'm really interested in. Finish my PhD. Get a well-paying job in the software industry. Do the work I'm required to do there. Work hard in my spare time to teach myself the stuff I want to. Work harder to keep publishing papers. After one year, find a post-doc position I'm really interested in. Abort my current work. Find a new subject and a new PhD advisor. Live on unemployment money as long as possible. Work hard in my spare time to teach myself the stuff I want to. Work harder to keep publishing papers. After one year, find a post-doc position I'm really interested in.   Pros:   Get the PhD title sooner. Stay in the scientific community. Get the PhD title sooner. Earn lots of money (6 figure). In a 9-to-5 job, have more spare time for private research than on a post-doc position, where work is never finished. Go to a foreign country. It's what I should've done 2 years ago. I'll have the education I want when I finish my PhD, not later (but be older anyway). No immediate advantages over the other options.   Cons:   If a logical continuation of my PhD work, I'll suffer from demotivation. My next advisor will not want me to work on other topics that I'm not paid for. Might have to stay for 2 years. I'll move out of the scientific community for some time. I know it's hard to get back in. I'll be even older when I finally get my PhD. Not sure if I would find another advisor. Open fight with my current advisor. I don't want to live on unemployment money for long.   A particular question concerning the options above: Does being out of academia for a year kill your prospects of obtaining a postdoc position later?  I do have some collaborators who will help me to keep publishing, provided that I put enough work into my research. Also, I'm willing to familiarize myself with other topics on my own (a prerequisite for an academic career anyway).  The next application period will be from October to December 2013, which isn't far away. I'm sure I'll have most of the skills I want by then (and a paper published proving that), but still would have to work until summer 2014 wherever I am applying now.  Please give me honest answers, even if they hurt. I'll provide more information as soon as possible, if anyone has questions.
78265
Few days back while attending a thesis defense, one Professor was asking the defender why does he think, he deserves the degree. I was wondering since then, is there really any general answer for that? or the answer should be given describing my own work and then emphasis them how it is important for research field?  I asked the question here to know your opinion about it and to list down what could be the possible answers to this question.