Re: Why major in physics
- From: "PD" <pdraper@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 18 Apr 2005 09:40:58 -0700
hhc314@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> 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.
I contest that. Facility with math is a crucial skill, but physics is
in fact quite an easy field in other respects. It requires very little
memorization, it requires very little taxonomy, and expertise in any
area is achievable from the same starting point (a core set of physics
concepts), and in the fundamentals it is founded in common-sense.
Compare this with organic chemistry or immunology or law or heck,
plumbing.
What it *does* require is
* ability to sift essence from detail
* ability to consistently build an argument logically and
mathematically
* a strong visual and spatial imagination
* ability to synthesize dissimilar concepts
>
> 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.
This is true for any field in which you'd like to excel. It is also,
unfortunately, an unacceptable working environment for most students.
>
> 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.
.
- References:
- Why major in physics
- From: Jschroet
- Re: Why major in physics
- From: T Wake
- Re: Why major in physics
- From: hhc314
- Why major in physics
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