<p>How tough is the physics curriculum at michigan? Does it compare in difficulty with the engineering subjects?
Also:</p>
<p>What are the paths open for grad school? Obviously I could go on in the physics path as a physics major, but could I go into engineering in graduate school with a physics undergrad? </p>
<p>Any answers to the above questions would be appreciated. thanks</p>
<p>Jake - U-Mich is ranked #11 in physics ( graduate programs ) tied with Yale and Columbia. Undergraduate physics tends to be quite similar at most of the top schools. Physics students can take accelerated courses if they have a particularly strong background. In general the engineering physics courses tend to be more oriented towards problem solving whereas the core physics curriculum is more theoretical. There is also another option - Applied Physics. This is more engineering oriented but tends to be more focused on cutting edge areas like Quantum Optics, Lasers , Materials etc.<br>
W.R.T question on going to engineering graduate school after a basic physics background, the question would be which type of graduate engineering program ? As I mentioned Applied Physics in graduate school is also an option. Computer Science or Computational / Numerical / High Performance computing might also be an area to pursue after an undergraduate in physics. Certain areas of Electrical Engineering are also feasible ( related to communications , solid state physics etc.) However in areas of engineering such as Chemical or BioEngineering it might be more difficult since those subjects tend to do more specialized in the undergraduate level. </p>
<p>In general physics is a very broad degree - so you should be able to pursue a number of fields, but you may want to perhaps choose between Applied Physics and a core physics say after your sophomore year.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Just noticed that the Applied Physics program at U-Mich is a graduate school only program. But you may want to visit that site to get an idea for an alternative to pursuing a core physics for graduate school.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Are most undergraduate physics courses theoretical or more engineering/problem based?
I would assume that the freshman or beginning courses are more problem based & become more theoretical as they progress. Correct me if I’m wrong though.
I have emailed the researchers at the applied physics department to see if I would be able to research or intern there as an undergrad.<br>
I’m not sure what graduate engineering programs I’m looking for just yet, I’m just trying to keep my options open for graduate school & physics seems to be the most interesting and versatile major available. Would biomedical engineering graduate program be an option if I had extensive experience in biomedical labs at umich?</p>
<p>Most colleges ( and probably Michigan) use textbooks like Giancolli / Resknik/ Sears & Young for regular intro. physics courses. These are more problem oriented. If you have done AP Physics C then usually you can proceed to the advanced track.
The advanced track typically uses Kleppner/Kolenkow for Mechanics ( more theory but tricky problems) and Purcell for EM ( similar vein). After that they tend to be more theoretical. In the meantime you are also expected to compliment it with more advanced math ( Vector Calculus, Linear Algebra/Diff Eqns/ Mathematical methods) etc. Junior/Senior year topic cover intermediate EM, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, Lagrangian Mechanics, Relativity. So you can see that the track gets pretty theoretical for core physics majors. </p>
<p>In general I would agree that Physics is a very solid way to keep your options open, but do make sure that you really have a good appetite for lots of math. Michigan has a very good UROP ( undergraduate research opp) that you can start from freshman year. You can apply for research in any field not just related to your major. The Biomedical program is affiliated with the EECS department - so you will need to check with them. They may give first dibs to engineering students. Check this link out for U-Mich Biomedical : [Biomedical</a> Engineering: Academic Programs](<a href=“http://www.bme.umich.edu/programs/]Biomedical”>Academics – Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan)</p>
<p>You can also arrange to meet someone in the Biomedical department and tell them of your plans to get an undergrad degree in Physics and potentially pursue Biomedical for graduate studies. See what their response would be - my feeling is that they will tell you that you that a physics background perhaps coupled with a couple of courses in Biomedical engg. would be fine.</p>
<p>It is worth noting that there are usually fewer than 100 students majoring in Physics at Michigan at any one point in time. With a faculty of 60 Physics professors, the class size in intermediate and advanced Physics classes rarely exceeds 15 students. We are talking aboiut classes with 5-15 undergrads paired up with professors worthy of a top 10 Physics departments. There are also great research opportunities for Michigan students, starting the Freshman programs sich as the Michigan Research Community (MRC) and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity (UROP). The former is really convenient because it guarantees housing in Markley, one of the best dorms at the University.</p>
<p>What would you say the difficulty of a physics major is? Is it extremely extremely difficult to get about a 3.7 or 3.8? I know it requires a lot of work, but is it as hard as the engineering programs?</p>
<p>Yes, Physics is as tough as Engineering…possibly even tougher. It is, in my opinion, one of the toughest subjects. But the grading may not be quite as tough as Engineering. Either way, a 3.7+ in Physics will be challenging.</p>