Any Astro/Particle Physicists here?

[Pohlkat]

I'm quite interested in both fields, if you are in one of them or studying/are well versed in them, do share, I'd like to hear what it takes to get into one of these fields, such as time (years in school or whatever), where you went and what you do now. If you can't answer one of those, feel free to tell me something else (I dunno, wage?).

I have top marks in chem/physics/math, so I'll get that out of the way, I've been told to get high marks in those many times.

Any info is much appreciated!

 

[DFish]

I've just finished a 4-year degree course (Cambridge), and I'm about to start a PhD in particle physics (Edinburgh).

Obviously you need a physics degree before anyone will consider you for a research post. The better the university you go to, and the better mark you get, the easier you will find it to get a research post. There's little more to say about it than that.

It is worth pointing out that doing well in exams will only get you so far. To be a researcher you must be interested in what you do, not just capable. Read around your subject(s), and make sure that what you read is interesting to you.

Since you mention wages, I'll be earning slightly better than minimum wage during my PhD. People don't do research for the money, they do it because they want to. I've no idea how the system works where you are, but I doubt there's much difference. Bear in mind that both Astro and Particle physics are subjects with almost no potential for commercial investment, so you'll be living on government research grants.

If you have any more specific questions, go ahead.

 

[Pohlkat]

Hmm, so if I understand correctly, going to a better university to to the initial physics degree is a decent idea, a mediocre university just isn't gonna cut it? I was thinking of doing so, but the nearest university that is what I would consider high ranking or whatever (Waterloo) is 30 hours away.

I'm just wondering this, because what if the field suddenly for some inexplicable reason, doesn't interest me? Currently, I find the fields fascinating, the origins of the universe, life and everything is something I could dedicate myself to. But if I have to move, I'm not sure how I could get out of such a debt as one of some 12 years of university. Though I suppose earning money during the PhD would help...

Sigh, money makes everything difficult.

 

[Barciad]

I did particle Physics A-Level (Senior year at High-School for any Americans out there). Interesting stuff, but beyond by scope sadly. Plus, since I went onto to do Maths at University, completly out of my orbit as well.
Still, I find it interesting.

 

[DFish]

I'm just wondering this, because what if the field suddenly for some inexplicable reason, doesn't interest me? Currently, I find the fields fascinating, the origins of the universe, life and everything is something I could dedicate myself to. But if I have to move, I'm not sure how I could get out of such a debt as one of some 12 years of university.

Like I say, I have no idea how the financial side of things works out where you are. You certainly aren't going to be rich if you do go into Astro/Particles research. However, if you do suddenly lose interest then a good physics degree will get you any job you like (short of modeling or professional sports!). I hope "12 years of university" is a typo - 4 years is all you need here in England.

As for the "quality" of university, going somewhere with a bad reputation isn't going to prevent you getting a research post, but it will probably make things harder. As with any other job it's usually won or lost on the interview, so if you come across as a good candidate you'll do alright.

 

[Anarchemitis]

 

[needsmosleep]

Wouldn't ot be 8 years? 4 in college, 4 in a grad school, whats the last 4 come from?

 

[Anarchemitis]

University.

 

[Pohlkat]

Wouldn't ot be 8 years? 4 in college, 4 in a grad school, whats the last 4 come from?

Me = uninformed high school student.
That 12 years was just something I heard, I'm very glad I was wrong.

My girlfriend's dad is a quantum theoretical particle physicist at CERN. Don't become a physicist though, they all wear khaki shorts and pants with cargo pockets and have weird hair/facial hair!

Common, khaki shorts are comfy! No, seriously I want to work at CERN.

Also, though, any ideas on how to find out what universities I should avoid if I want to get a research post? I kinda don't wanna have huge regrets when I come out of my local university and find out I can't get a job anywhere. I suppose engineering is a viable alternative, though I want to be an astronaut and physics will help get me there. (braces for people telling me how uninformed I am)

 

[DFish]

Common, khaki shorts are comfy! No, seriously I want to work at CERN.

Disclaimer: I have a beard, and wear shorts. Some of which are khaki.

This timescale question arises from your rather nebulous definition of being "into" a field. I've only been at university for 4 years, but the PhD I'm starting will involve me working at CERN. However, if you're talking about becoming a lecturer or research fellow then you'd need to have a PhD completed, which would be another 3/4 years.

As far as university selection is concerned, just aim for the best you can. No-one in their right mind would say "Ah, well (name) studied at (place), so they must be unsuitable". There is no cut-off-line for a university that is "good enough" or "not good enough".

Oh, and just to make this clear, there is no straightforward career path to becoming an astronaut, or indeed to becoming Gordon Freeman.

 

[Pohlkat]

Common, khaki shorts are comfy! No, seriously I want to work at CERN.

Disclaimer: I have a beard, and wear shorts. Some of which are khaki.

This timescale question arises from your rather nebulous definition of being "into" a field. I've only been at university for 4 years, but the PhD I'm starting will involve me working at CERN. However, if you're talking about becoming a lecturer or research fellow then you'd need to have a PhD completed, which would be another 3/4 years.

As far as university selection is concerned, just aim for the best you can. No-one in their right mind would say "Ah, well (name) studied at (place), so they must be unsuitable". There is no cut-off-line for a university that is "good enough" or "not good enough".

Oh, and just to make this clear, there is no straightforward career path to becoming an astronaut, or indeed to becoming Gordon Freeman.

Interesting, my vague definition of being into a field stems, from a rather lacking knowledge of what indeed you can do in that field. Now I know that I can go to university for four years, then work on a PhD on location. This I was not aware of, and the most likely candidate with what I would do with my time.

As for being an astronaut, I've been told that my best shot is to be absolutely top in my field.

And Gordon Freeman? I'll have to work on being fucking amazing first.

 

[BardSeed]

I'm not a physicist but I do have an interest in the same things as you, apparently. I will be starting my second year of sixth form in a few weeks. I made the mistake of taking a general science course instead of a physics specific one. I'm going to try and change that but, either way, I'll still be studying in my spare-time. I'm not in it for the career prospects, I just want to learn about it!
Here are some cool links to help you out, if you fancy a bit of reading.
Simple-ish particle physics.
http://pdg.web.cern.ch/pdg/particleadventure/frameless/startstandard.html

A site on how to become a theoretical physicist.
http://www.phys.uu.nl/~thooft/theorist.html