Good extra-curriculars for physics/mathematics postgraduate applications
I am a second-year physics undergraduate at Swansea University, and I am interested in pursuing an academic career in a field within physics and/or pure mathematics. I am writing to ask for advice on what I, as an undergraduate, could do at this stage in regards to building a strong application for such a course.
As a start, I am involved with three societies (two of which are environmentalism-based), having done volunteer work with them, and am applying for committee positions within two. I am also trying to read up on and study areas in mathematics of interest to me (primarily number theory and mathematical logic, so recommendations are also welcome) over summer, depending on if I'm successful in securing a summer internship or research placement.
As a start, I am involved with three societies (two of which are environmentalism-based), having done volunteer work with them, and am applying for committee positions within two. I am also trying to read up on and study areas in mathematics of interest to me (primarily number theory and mathematical logic, so recommendations are also welcome) over summer, depending on if I'm successful in securing a summer internship or research placement.
Oh TSR ate my reply...
In short: stuff like joining societies is immaterial for any reputable graduate programme in physics I expect. They want to see strong academics and where possible engagement in research activities. Try and get involve in e.g. summer research projects or similar wherever you can.
I think it's unlikely you will be able to go into any kind of pure maths PhD with a single honours physics degree - maybe with a joint honours if you had leaned heavily into options in e.g. abstract algebra and so on. Mathematically driven physics PhD projects are possibly an option though, depending on your background in your current course.
Remember that a PhD is really just a very specific project so exactly what will be the best specific preparation is going to be dependent on the PhD project(s) you might want to work on in the future. Doing research project work in related areas to the field of physics you want to go into is probably a good plan, and tailoring your options to that as well (e.g. if you want to do experimental condensed matter vs theoretical astrophysics!).
In short: stuff like joining societies is immaterial for any reputable graduate programme in physics I expect. They want to see strong academics and where possible engagement in research activities. Try and get involve in e.g. summer research projects or similar wherever you can.
I think it's unlikely you will be able to go into any kind of pure maths PhD with a single honours physics degree - maybe with a joint honours if you had leaned heavily into options in e.g. abstract algebra and so on. Mathematically driven physics PhD projects are possibly an option though, depending on your background in your current course.
Remember that a PhD is really just a very specific project so exactly what will be the best specific preparation is going to be dependent on the PhD project(s) you might want to work on in the future. Doing research project work in related areas to the field of physics you want to go into is probably a good plan, and tailoring your options to that as well (e.g. if you want to do experimental condensed matter vs theoretical astrophysics!).
Reply 2
"summer research projects or similar"
Hi, sorry for the late reply. Not to be rude but that's what I'm trying to get more information about, if you could offer any more information I'd be grateful. I've tried looking for such opportunities, to almost no success; it's all just summer research internships (most of which are either closed or have rejected me). I have also asked some lecturers about research positions, but have yet to receive a reply.
Hi, sorry for the late reply. Not to be rude but that's what I'm trying to get more information about, if you could offer any more information I'd be grateful. I've tried looking for such opportunities, to almost no success; it's all just summer research internships (most of which are either closed or have rejected me). I have also asked some lecturers about research positions, but have yet to receive a reply.
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