<p>I got my BS degrees in physics and applied math, but have a broad range of interests that deal generally with computational physics. I'm just unsure whether to specialize in materials, fluids, lasers, optics, etc. I'm considering applying for PhD programs in physics, applied math, and computational science simply because those departments usually have the broader range of areas of research that interest me. </p>
<p>The problem is my interests keep changing. Just a few months ago, I was sure I wanted to go into AE. I can't help but worry that if I apply to, say an AE dept, that my interests will change and I'll want to go to an EE/materials dept. One cause of this is that I didn't get to take solid-state physics</p>
<p>How easy is it to switch to another department. I also heard its not uncommon to get admitted to one dept, yet do your research with a prof in another dept. How easy is it to pull this off? If its common, and multiple depts do research on a common topic, then how do you decide which dept to apply to? Just based on which one has more interesting courses to you? Or what dept name you want on your phD degree?</p>
<p>First of all, actually switching from one department to another in grad school is exceedingly difficult - you often need to apply all over again, and this time they will be prejudiced against you! </p>
<p>Secondly, it is not at all uncommon to have an advisor in a different department. A lot of grad study is interdisciplinary, and some areas can be approached from multiple directions. The advice I was given is that your “home” department should describe at least half of what you are doing, as well as the direction of your research. </p>
<p>For example, if you are looking at computational physics as a physics PhD-candidate you will be focusing on the physics side of things, using the computational science to answer physics questions, and those questions will really be the core of your research while the program is just the tool. Conversely, looking at the same issue as a CompSci candidate you will focus on the process and the algorithms.</p>
<p>To elaborate on what cosmicfish has said: generally, your advisor is in your home department, but you may add another professor, in a different department, as a secondary advisor. The role of the primary/departmental advisor is to make sure you answer important questions in the program’s field, even if your research is interdisciplinary. For example, you can’t get a PhD in Physics if your work is of primary interest to computer scientists – or vice versa.</p>
<p>For this reason, you should consider the direction of your career. Chances are, you are going to branch out from your dissertation work into related areas of your field. Your colleagues and graduate students will be in that field. Do you want that basis to be physics, math, computer science, or engineering? Your broad interests will serve you well when approaching research since often scientists have to draw on other knowledge sets to arrive at innovative approaches; however, you need to decide where you want the depth.</p>
<p>After doing a few internships, I’ve decided that I definitely want a career in research</p>
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<p>Yes, I want to focus more on the physics side of things (as I really liked Quantum mechanics, especially all the linear algebra. But I didn’t really like E&M) and just use computational science/applied math to answer the physics questions. But I don’t have a specific interest in physics. It ranges from solid-state to lasers to CFD. But CFD is a research area in applied math and AE departments, not physics. But CFD is used in plasma physics. But I’ve seen some applied math/computational science departments that have research in all those areas above because they have profs from AE, materials, physics, and other departments. So thats why I thought applying to those applied math programs were the best fit</p>
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<p>What if an prof is part of an AE department but is also listed in an applied math dept? His webpage mentions that he is just part of the AE department?</p>
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<p>I’d like my basis to be in physics or engineering, but if I had to choose, then probably physics as its more theoretical. If chances are that I’m going to branch out from my dissertation work, then I guess AE isn’t the right choice for me as the only area of research there that interests me is CFD and maybe propulsion</p>
<p>It means that you could probably have him as an eventual advisor but that contacting/listing him as a potential mentor is unlikely to get you far. He might not have any say about admissions because his appointment may be in applied math.</p>
<p>After doing a few internships, I’ve decided that I definitely want a career in research</p>
<p>That’s only half the battle, though, in being ready to apply to doctoral programs. If you’re asking whether or not you can switch departments from the outset it’s a sign that you’re not ready - not because you’re not worthy or something, but simply because you need to be settled on which department you’re going to apply to. That’s not to say that you have to apply to the same department at all universities - it’s not uncommon to apply to two different departments…at different schools. I had friends who for example applied to poli sci departments at some places and sociology at others.</p>
<p>You need to nail down what it is you’re interested in and what kind of approach you want to take to answering your questions. Your department won’t change the questions, just the approach. Do you want to answer questions like a physicist or like a mathematician? Look at the published papers in the subjects you’re interested in studying and see who’s taking approaches to them that you like.</p>
<p>From my perspective it looks like you’re interested in being a physicist who uses applied math to answer the questions, and that’s not uncommon. Find a physics department that’s big on interdisciplinary work and that will let you take classes in the math and comp sci departments to enrich your research.</p>
<p>Before you apply, you also need to narrow down your field to what you want to study - lasers, solids, fluids, etc. You can’t apply with a nebulous group of ideas; you need to sound focused.</p>
<p>well I have a general interest in the physics and engineering, but I’ve narrowed it down to solid-state, lasers, and optics, which lie in physics, EE, and materials depts. But I also like developing the methods as well, as long as I don’t have to be really good at programming. For example, one of my research projects was for a math prof in materials modeling, where I wrote a program implementing a monte carlo method. I guess as long as the applied math doesn’t use heavy math proofs, I’m ok with it. </p>
<p>So to summarize, I guess I don’t really have a preference for the math vs physics side, but if I had to choose, I guess it would be the physics</p>
<p>would you guys also agree that if I have interests in multiple departments, then perhaps I should just apply to the ones that offer classes I’m more interested in? So I can pass the prelims by taking classes I like more?</p>
<p>Pose your questions to your current advisor and/or other professors at your school. You will need some of them for your recommendations and tapping their brains will be useful. They know you, your educational background and departments that may suit your interests best. They will write the best recommendations for schools and programs they feel suit you the most. Never overlook the mentors you have available to you in person. These professors know the fields and who’s who in your areas of interest. Someone should be able to tell you about so-and-so who does such-and-such that fits your plans, or at least steer you in the right direction.</p>