My son wants to major in Physics. He doesn’t know much about Applied Physics. Can you still pursue a PhD in Physics with an Applied Physics degree?
Yes.
Thanks - follow up question. Can you study black holes/dark matter in an Applied Physics BS program?
Your son needs to equip himself with a lot more basic physics before he can tackle the more fundamental questions in physics. Studying black holes/dark matter isn’t what applied physicists do. Why choose to major in applied physics (instead of physics)?
Not really. Not really as a physics BS either. You might get lucky and the school might offer a special topics class on it, but in general these are post-graduate.
He’s interested in pure theoretical physics but also interested in engineering. Applied physics sounds fun to him. But in terms of interest area, he really likes astrophysics. Sorry, I wasn’t clear, by my question I meant if he can still pursue a MS/PhD in Astrophysics if he got a BS in Applied Physics.
Your kid sounds very similar to mine. He is applying to schools for physics/astronomy but focusing on colleges that also have engineering schools and ideally ones where taking classes in the engineering school is possible/easy and transfer (if he decides to go that route) is possible/easy.
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You should look at the graduate school admission requirements and compare them to the undergrad graduation requirements in applied physics. Most likely you will find they differ by zero or one courses: one elective, if that, would be all the difference.
However, if the issue is the student can’t decide physics and engineering and wants to take this, and this, and this and this and this too, be prepared for college to take a while.
He only wants to study physics, so looking into either physics at a LAC or applied physics at an engineering school. When comparing course schedules, they don’t differ much so he is interested in seeing if applying to engineering schools might be a good idea too. Also, I see that engineering schools have fewer humanities requirements compared to LACs.
Yes, he can. However, if he wants to pursue his interest in astrophysics, he would almost certainly need to go to graduate school for a PhD (MS alone isn’t worthwhile).
It depends on the school. Some colleges (particular those excel in physics) tend to offer multiple versions of the same physics courses, designed for different students. Some more theoretical for physics majors, some less theoretical for applied physics majors, and some for engineering students.
Not necessarily. It again depends on the school. For example, MIT or Caltech has extensive humanities and social sciences requirements.
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This varies quite a bit. Caltech and MIT (schools with lots of engineering majors) have significant humanities requirements, while Amherst, Grinnell, and Hamilton (LACs) have none. Harvey Mudd, which falls into both categories, has significant humanities requirements.
Thanks. I’m also wondering if Applied Physics is a little more universally appealing for future prospects because you can also put engineering down on your resume.
Well, one can put whatever one wants on one’s resume. But will it help?
It is difficult to imagine a position will consider a degree in plain old physics as unacceptable but a degree in “applied physics” as acceptable or even desirable. Particularly as many excellent schools don’t draw that distinction.
It sounds like the plan is unclear - ,aybe it’s a PhD in astrophysics, and maybe it’s a quasi-engineering job in industry. I understand wanting to keep your options open, but the competition along either path will be filled with people who have concentrated on that path.
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Are you talking about job prospects or prospect for graduate schools?
If it’s the former, it depends on the area in which his future employer is looking to hire. He would be a more appealing candidate if his specialty in applied physics (not just the major itself) happens to be a better match for that employer. But he wouldn’t be more appealing (and certainly not universally more appealing) to other employers.
For graduate schools, the name of his major isn’t nearly as important as the core courses he’s taken (as either major), the researches he’s done (particularly in a relevant area), and the LoRs from his physics professors (ideally from the same field).
thanks for helping me understand all this. I just want to urge my son to pursue whatever gives him more room to explore different options in college.
As an opinion on this aspect, general physics makes a better major for a student interested in astronomy/astrophysics/cosmology than a major in one of these areas. However, a minor in one of these areas would be quite suitable.
Keep in mind that any form of astrophysics or cosmology that involves studying black holes/dark matter - particularly if aiming to walk the PhD path - requires math, lots and lots of advanced math.
I think there would be enough flexibility with either physics or applied physics to pursue the other in grad school, but I agree with @merc81 that if astrophysics is an area of particular interest, it might give a slight edge for general physics for the time being.
I would recommend someone interested in physics grad school consider the strength of math curriculums and plan to take the recommended math courses beyond the required ones.
Note that study of black holes can appear in a variety of courses, not just ones called “astrophysics,” for example, in relativity or astronomy courses. Most physics departments will have a bit of each. Likewise, most physics departments will have some offerings in topics that can be considered more applied, like electronics, optics, and solid state physics.
A useful exercise might be to research placement into PhD programs. I think quite a few schools can satisfy the described needs, but some will have more of a track record than others with grad school success in given areas. Ultimately, though, that should be just a data point. Focus on overall fit, and good luck to your son!
Typical recommendations would be upper level math like real and complex analysis and abstract algebra.
But also make sure that the physics department is large enough to offer the usual upper level physics courses on a regular basis: quantum mechanics (2), electromagnetism and optics (2), intermediate / advanced mechanics, statistical and thermal physics, intermediate / advanced lab (2 = often a two semester sequence). A small physics department whose teaching capacity is consumed by physics for pre-meds may offer some of the above too infrequently. A somewhat larger physics department that can offer additional upper level physics and astrophysics electives may be a bonus.
With respect to the relationship between theoretical physics and mathematics on the undergraduate level, the greatest overlap courses for these disciplines may be in the topics of mathematical physics and general relativity.