Physics PhD

Lottie2014

Hi all,

To cut a long story short, the only qualification I have is a BTEC in electronic engineering. :-/ I really want to go for a physics PhD, but I am currently studying BSc design and innovation engineering. What is the best way to achieve my goal?

Reply 1

Observatory

A BSc in Physics, Maths, or [aeronautical/chemical/mechanical] Engineering is almost certainly necessary.

Reply 2

Klix88

Original post by Lottie2014

To cut a long story short, the only qualification I have is a BTEC in electronic engineering. :-/ I really want to go for a physics PhD, but I am currently studying BSc design and innovation engineering. What is the best way to achieve my goal?

Firstly, decide on what field of physics you want to get into - it's a broad subject and encompasses many specialisms. At PhD level you need to be quite specific about what you want to research and why. Have a trawl around some current PhD opportunities and see if anything lights your fire. Then see if any elements of your current degree would feed into that. Without some kind of prior study, demonstrable interest or experience of a PhD's field, you'll be hard-pressed to look a credible applicant.

It might be worth looking at 1+3 funded PhDs. These incorporate an extra year which is the equivalent of a Masters. Whilst it's common to go straight from undergrad to PhD in STEM subjects, the additional year might benefit you if you're slightly changing direction from your undergrad degree.

Apart from that, the best advice is to get a First at undergrad to get yourself the absolute best shot at both a successful PhD application and - probably more importantly - funding. A 2:1 might get you where you want to go, but a First will be your best bet against the stiff competition.

Reply 3

Lottie2014

Thank you for your prompt responses to the questions raised. They are very much appreciated.

Reply 4

redferry

Original post by Lottie2014

I would say look at Masters in the area of Physics you are interested in for after your BSc

Reply 5

poohat

It really depends on your mathematical background. I'm not sure what "Design and Innovation Engineering" involves, but I would be worried that it lacks sufficient mathematical content. Doing a MSc in Physics/Mathematics at a good Russell Group would more or less be a prerequisite for getting into a decent PhD program, but even getting onto such a masters would be very difficult without a solid mathematical background (and a funded PhD is a lot more difficult to get onto than a Masters program).

If you are serious then you need to start taking all the mathematics classes that you can, immediately. To get onto a decent physics MSc you would probably be expected to know at minimum multivariate calculus,vector calculus, fourier series, ordinary/partial differential equations, etc - basically the first 1-2 years of applied maths that you would do on a physics or mechanical/electronic engineering degree. Assuming you havent covered this stuff in your current degree, then you could try and learn this yourself from a textbook like the two Stroud books:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Engineering-Mathematics-K-Stroud/dp/1403942463
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Advanced-Engineering-Mathematics-K-Stroud/dp/0230275486 (or Kreyzsig: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Advanced-Engineering-Mathematics-Erwin-Kreyszig/dp/0471728977/ )

but it would probably be even better if you could study the material in a university environment. Also while knowing the mathematics is important, it doesnt really address the fact that you probably dont know much physics either, so thats something else you need to learn.

If you are currently in the first year of your degree then your best option would probably just be to change course into physics/maths or a more rigorous engineering program. If you are in second/third year then things are a lot more difficult, because you have sunk costs, but since you are presumably in an engineering faculty you should probably sit down with your personal tutor or degree coordinator and tell them you want to move into physics, and see if you can start taking more advanced applied maths classes.

Physics PhD

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you