<p>I'm looking to transfer to Columbia. Got WL'd at the College lastyear, but I'm gonna try for SEAS this year. Will they look down on the change in choice?</p>
<p>I should probably tell a little about my situation as well. I'm a freshman now at the University of Chicago and on the path to major in Physics. The problem is that Chicago only offers a BA in physics and no engineering school. Now I very much respect the theoretical side of physics, but I am more attached to the applied aspects, and this is one major reason I want to transfer to Columbia SEAS. But looking through the course path of an applied physics major at SEAS, I couldn't even find a class which studies general relativity. Is this too theoretical for a SEAS class? I'm currently a little afraid that if I go to SEAS, then I'll be missing out on many sides of physics and only be prepared for a very specific job. Is this the case?</p>
<p>Hmm..I think SEAS will be a LOT more on the applied science side than theoritical...but if you are interest in both, I don't see a big problem.</p>
<p>HOWEVER,</p>
<p>"only be prepared for a very specific job"
This is VERY untrue, SEAS is famous for broadening its students, some even end up in non-engineering job areas. i.e. ibanking, business, law.</p>
<p>Someone back me up here.</p>
<p>SEAS is famous for having an incredibly broad curriculum. If you know a school for one thing, that would be it.</p>
<p>Wouldn't you be able to take a more theoretical physics class at CC even if you're in SEAS? That would be something to check out, either by looking on the departmental websites or by e-mailing the undergraduate advisor in applied physics.</p>
<p>I'm an Applied Math major, which is the same department as Applied Physics, "The Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics." Anyway, you would be able to take any classes in SEAS or CC, the Dept. of APAM, Dept. of Physics, Dept. of Comparative Literature & Society, etc... If you want to learn about general relativity, you could take this class in the Astronomy Dept:</p>
<p>ASTR C3601x General Relativity, Black Holes, and Cosmology 3 pts. Prerequisites: one year of calculus-based general physics. Introduction to general relativity, Einstein's geometrical theory of gravity. Topics include special relativity, tensor calculus, the Einstein field equations, the Friedmann equations and cosmology, black holes, gravitational lenses and mirages, gravitational radiation, and black hole evaporation.</p>
<p>More advanced General Relativity classes are graduate level, but if you have the background to take them, they will probably let you. Graduate level courses include:</p>
<p>PHYS W4386x-W4387y. Geometrical Concepts In Physics. 3 pts. Prerequisites: Mathematics V1205 or the equivalent and V2010. Material from topology and differential geometry with illustrations of its use in electrodynamics, general relativity, and Yang-Mills theory. In particular, topological and differential manifolds, tensors, vector bundles, connections, and Lie groups will be covered. </p>
<p>PHYS G8040y. General Relativity. 4.5 pts. Prerequisite: Physics G6037 or the equivalent, or instructors permission. Tensor calculus and Riemannian geometry; Einsteins theory of gravitation; experimental tests of general relativity; gravitational waves; applications to cosmology and astronomy.</p>
<p>PHYS G8041x. Topics In General Relativity. 3 pts. Prerequisite: Physics G8040. Topics to be discussed include Hawking radiation and black hole thermodynamics, singularity theorems, and cosmology.</p>
<p>General Relativity would be pretty much an aside since there isn't really an application of it. Applied fields include: DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS, LASER PHYSICS, NUCLEAR SCIENCE, PLASMA PHYSICS, PHYSICS OF FLUIDS, CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, and BIOPHYSICAL MODELING. I'm sure there are others I'm not aware of. You might want to call Columbia and talk to an adviser in the department because they will know all about it.</p>
<p>SEAS is definitely not a narrow career training education. Next year I'm taking some Middle Eastern Civilization class and learning Russian! I don't know of a mathematics job that that would prepare you for. I'm planning on going to law school when I graduate and I feel SEAS is preparing me to do that, too.</p>