Re: Why major in physics

Wonderfully put.

Still, a student should be cautioned that unless he is some sort of a
mathematical genius, it's arguably one of the most difficult majors in
any university to complete.

The B.S. level is arguably the most difficult, because it's at that
level where they seriously 'cull the herd'...usually employing the
required math course for this purpose. Still, if you can make it
through the first 2-years, you have a good chance of earning this
degree.

Prospective physics major should assume that during the school year
there will be no time available for recreation. You'll attend class and
lectures for from 5-7 hours per day, and the assigned problem sets will
consume another 8-12 hours to complete (unless a genius). Also, if you
don't complete the problem sets, you're likely to flunk the mid-term
and final exams...because you learn more physics and math from the
problem sets than from the lectures, class work, or textbooks. You
learn to survive on 4-5 hours of sleep per night.

I earned my M.S. from Drexel, but the pattern at better known schools
such as MIT and Cal Tech is exactly the same. A physics degree issued
by a school that doesn't require this level of effort is barely worth
the paper that it's written on. At any of these schools, assume that
between 1/2 to 2/3rds of the entering class will not complete the
program.

Earn a B.S. in physics and you'll likely go on to graduate studies,
which I personally found to be a bit more relaxed. The trick is getting
the B.S. with reasonable grades.

After graduation, in addition to acadaemia (where the pay levels are
insufficient to support a family), there are many professions open to
you. I started in particle accelerator design, but switched for a
couple of years to the design of orbiting photographic systems, then to
railway signaling, and eventually to work in real-time defense software
for Raytheon. I'm retired now, but my salary maxed out at around $100k
(in 1992) after 30 years experience. It's not a bad life, and I really
enjoyed my work.

Still, those years earning my B.S. were a bitch.

Just thought that I would share that with you.

Harry C.

.

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