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MSc Theoretical Physics (and similar) in KCL, Nottingham, Durham, Queen Mary

Comments

  • #2
    Morbert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,457 ✭✭✭Morbert


    The King's College course is the only one from the list I have heard about. It is apparently very good.

    If you have the funds, it is a good idea. They are only a year long, and will give more solid ground when it comes to making a decision about staying in academia or entering industry. It will also give you an edge if you go into computational modelling or the finance industry.

    I tend to believe physicists make better financial analysts. Jim Harris, the founder of Renaissance Technologies ( https://www.rentec.com/vm/index.vm ), one of the world's most successful investment firms, started out as a theoretical physicist.


  • #3
    Vordaci
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28 ✭Vordaci


    All these courses look nice. I would also throw into the mix:
    Imperial College London - https://www3.imperial.ac.uk/theoreticalphysics/postgraduatestudy/mastersdegree
    Cambridge - http://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/postgrad/mathiii/

    I applied for Kings a few year ago myself. Kings is very well rounded and touches on all major areas of TP while getting some nice math content in. If you are pushed in the math direction also have a look at KCL's MSc in Mathematics, chance your arm with a two course application:
    https://www.kcl.ac.uk/prospectus/graduate/index/name/mathematics/alpha/M/header_search/

    Nottingham is not as well rounded, but would be good if you have an interest in GR. Personally I feel the same topics are covered by other courses but there are less options to diversify yourself.

    Durham I always associate with being a good math uni. It has a nice range of courses too. I don't know much about the place but it seems to be the only course offering field theory beyond the basics & QED, i.e. Conformal and Integrable field theory.

    QMUL while I like what I've heard for doctoral work or postdocs, I'm not a fan of the course layout. Seems restrictive to me. But than again there are some great people at Queen Mary and the standard there is very good. Not really sure which of the courses to recommend, it's personal choice based on module content.

    Imperial that I mentioned above has a nice program with a range similar to King's, from what I know they also can do options in advanced quantum information though this is not really official.

    Cambridge Part III basically covers all the above, 70+ module choices between pure/applied math, theoretical physics. You can basically get what ever you want from it.

    Can I ask what modules you enjoyed in you final undergrad years? This may be able to help give a more personalised recommendation.
    As for benefits, it depends what you want out of it. From an employability slant it can't hurt to have the masters, every one has a degree these days. If there are parts of physics you just really enjoy a masters in that area is a great experience.
    As for real world applicability, I would think it rare to directly be using something you learn in a masters. Unless you go into research or cover numerical simulations or techniques on your chosen course. It is more about a mind-set from what I have seen. The ability to think about certain types of problems and apply systematic techniques to get a solution, that's what a potential employer would be looking for.


  • #4
    Schaed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭Schaed


    Vordaci wrote: »
    All these courses look nice. I would also throw into the mix:
    Imperial College London - https://www3.imperial.ac.uk/theoreticalphysics/postgraduatestudy/mastersdegree
    Cambridge - http://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/postgrad/mathiii/

    Thanks Vordaci. I was aware of the Imperial course, though not the Cambridge course. What would concern me about these courses is that a first class BSc is required for entry to either. I have not graduated yet.

    The courses I mentioned in my original post require a 2:1 for entry. So that would be one concern I would have about the Imperial course. Basically, if everyone on it has a first I'd be concerned about the level of difficulty.

    The Cambridge course would be out for me as I am completing a Physics BSc (experimental) so the maths content of my current course would not be sufficient for such a Mathematics course at Cambridge.

    I enjoy many areas of physics, and I would certainly enjoy any/all of the areas which any of the courses I have short-listed would cover.

    When I look at job websites I don't really see any job ads which state that they require someone which an MSc Theoretical Physics. So I don't want to go to the expense involved to complete a course which will not benefit me in obtaining employment. This is my concern.

    Also, many potential employers may be aware of the mathematics level required to complete an Theoretical Physics MSc, though I wonder how many would also know about the level of mathematics involved in MSc Gravity, Particles and Fields, MSc Particles, Strings & Cosmology, or MSc Particle Physics courses? i.e. that the maths would be the same. Are these degree titles as "good" as theoretical physics in catching the attention of employers?


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