I’m currently a Junior (3rd) Year EEE student at a good University in South Asia. I have a passion for Physics and Mathematics and have been thinking about switching to a more Physics oriented field like Plasma Physics, accelerator Physics or EM related field in Graduate School. I still don’t have any research experience but will ultimately have one as we are all required to do a final year thesis.
But, now I have met a Professor of Mathematical Physics from another University, who primarily works on string theory and stuff as far as I can tell (i don’t know exact details). He takes EE students to work with him who are interested to switch to Theoretical Physics. I am thinking about trying to work with him. But the catch is I don’t really want to go into Pure Theoretical Physics but more on the Physics that has practical applications. In such a scenario, would it be wise to work with him?? I am also worried about the level of Mathematics at my disposal and feel I am under-prepared. Saying all these, I must mention that this Professor is one of the most renowned in his field, and more renowned than any other Professor in our University. I absolutely have a lot of interest in working with him, in that field. My question is will it be helpfull for me if I don’t decide to go into Theoretical Physics. Thanks a lot.
If you don’t want to be a theoretical physicist then String Theory is probably not the best choice of research projects.
We have had a number of students come into our graduate program at Illinois Tech from an EE background. They do well but have significant catching up to do in quantum mechanics and statistical physics as well as some classical mechanics. If they end up in theoretical physics, they need additional courses as well.
That being said, if you want to give it a try for a limited period then go for it. You are not committing yourself to be in that field forever as most physics graduate students don’t settle on their research project until after finishing their graduate coursework.
@xraymancs
Thanks for your reply. I understand that you’re from the Department of Physics at IIT. I would really appreciate it if you could spare some of your time to answer some of my queries. I’m sorry if it’s too long.
I really don’t fancy EE much. The only thing that remotely interests me is EM, but I’m more drawn to the fundamental aspects of it than say some crude applications. Power, Electronics, Circuits and most other EE stuff doesn’t interest me at all. I can code ok in C and Matlab and working on a DSP project now.
But I’m a little afraid to go into Pure Theoretical Physics as I’m concerned about not landing a Job after Graduate study. I’d love to go into a physics field with some application though. Although off topic but I think I should mention, that I do want to move into US because most of my extended family members are already there, and others are immigrating as well. I can’t as my mother passed away and my aunt is the US citizen. So I’m on my own. Anyway now I’m looking to get into a Plasma Physics, Accelerator Physics, Optics/Plasmonics or any EE fields that requires significant amount of fundamental physics.
1. I feel working with this Professor might let me have a good LOR (if I don't mess up) as he's quite renowned in our country (and also has BSc, MS and PhD from MIT, Stanford and Cambridge respectively) and also enable me to brush up my Mathematics which I've been meaning to do for a while.
2. But if I don't go into Theoretical Physics but try to go into Plasma or Optics (EE) then will this Research experience/LOR bear any meaningful significance?
3. Is my ambition to switch from EE to Physics realistic? Is it unnecessary and you think I can find what I'm looking for in EE given my description?
4. Could you suggest some EE research areas/fields that are more Physics oriented?
Thanks a lot for bearing with me. I’d really appreciate any suggestion or advice as I have a lot of decisions to make and am not very sure what I should do. Thanks a lot.
Hi @Rio1210
Let me answer your questions in order:
- Yes, this could yield a good letter of reference but the kind of research you do as an undergraduate is not so important as the fact that you do research. Ask yourself what will you be doing when you are working with the String Theorist. Will you be able to really do theory or will you simply be running programs to get the output. If the latter, you might not be getting a very valuable research experience. You have to carefully evaluate the project to see if you can make meaningful contributions.
- See above, it is not a big deal since doing a Ph.D. means three years of research at least and students usually don't start that until they have completed all their coursework and passed the qualifying examination. I did a computational physics project as an undergraduate and then ended up working in experimental superconductivity as a graduate student.
- Yes, it is certainly possible. As I said, we have had two students recently do that at IIT one is in High Energy Experiment and the other is in Accelerator Physics. That being said, it is also possible to do your Ph.D. in EE while doing research that is more physics oriented. You have to find a department of faculty member that is closely allied with applied physics but it is certainly possible. Accelerator physics is an area that is fertile ground for both EEs and Physicists. However a more traditional EE department might not give you that opportunity.
- Well, as you say, optics/photonics is a very good interdisciplinary area as is accelerator and plasma physics, so is medical imaging The only question is whether the EE department that you apply to has those areas. Our department at IIT is more into power electronics, VLSI and wireless communication but they do have one person who has worked in accelerator physics and a group which does medical imaging (signal processing).
@xraymancs
Thanks a lot for your reply, I really appreciate it and it really gave me some prespective. I think I’ll knock that Professor and learn more about his project. I will check back if there is any future development. Thank you.
@xraymancs
Hey thanks a lot for your reply. I understand you’re from the department of Physics at IIT. I would really appreciate if you could spare some of your time to answer some of my queries. I’m sorry if this is too long.
I don’t really fancy EE much. The only field that I am remotely interested in EE is EM, but more fundamental aspects of it draws me more than say crude applications. Power, Electronics, Circuits and most EE stuff dont interest me at all. I can code ok in C and Matlab and am doing a DSP project now but don’t want to end up in it. I really love Physics–QM, EM and really have a desire to learn them. I have been suggested Plasma Physics, Accelerator Physics and Optics which I do fancy
But I’m afraid to go into pure Theoritical Physics due to concerns of not landing a job afterwards. This is off topic, but I should also mention that I do want to move to US, because most of my extended family are already there and the rest of them are immigrating soon. I can’t because my mother passed away, and my aunt is an US citizen who will sponser our family. So I’m on my won.
.
Considering my situation
- Should I work with this Professor, if he does let me? He got his Bsc, Msc and Phd from MIT, Stanford and Cambridge respectively and is quite renowned here in our country. I feel I might get a good recommendation letter from a renowned Professor (if I don't mess up) and will also be able to brush up my Mathematics, which I've been meaning to do for quite a while, and besides I love the idea.
- But will it be a waste of time?
- If I say go into say Optics/optoelectronics or other field, will this research experience/ LOR bear any value??
- Is my ambition to go shift into Physics realistic or am I missing something or assuming too much?
Please feel free to give any advice as you see fit. Besides this work, I think I will have to do a Final year thesis, which must be in a field in EE. I will be eagerly waiting for your reply. And Thanks a lot for your help.
The last comment is a glitched one. I sent it sometime before… but didn’t appear then. Please ignore it