Ph.D./Masters

Son Goku

What are the postgraduate opportunities like in Cork, UCD and Trinity for Theoretical Physics?

What are the requirements?

Any help is much appreciated.

nesf

I've friends doing their PhDs in Cork atm. So I can fill you in about it.

For pure mathematical work the Applied Math department is fantastic. The Russian guy that came up with hysterisis is head of the dept and it is an excellent place to do a PhD.

In the Physics Dept theres even a Quantum Gravity research group....

Linkage to a list of all the research areas covered by UCC Phys for Masters and PhD's here: http://www.physics.ucc.ie/postgraduate.html


Less detailed is the Applied Math page here: http://euclid.ucc.ie/framesets/fset_courses.htm


I hope the above can help

Son Goku

Thanks very much.

David19

Well here's the Trinity postrgraduate mathematics page:

http://www.maths.tcd.ie/postgraduate/

Some of the research groups are here:

http://www.maths.tcd.ie/research/#TP

You could always send an email or two and ask them some questions. They're usually very helpful.

nesf

Requirements are generally a 1H for stright into a PhD, a 2.1 or 2.2.(possibly) for a M.A. and a degree for the H.Dip.

The above would also be altered by you as a candidate. It's more about your suitability than your marks when you get to post grad level. And there's a lot to be said for going the slightly longer route of M.A. then PhD to give yourself a stronger and more varied background.

That said, it would tie you in education for ages, so maybe not the best option for everybody.

ISAW

Son Goku wrote:

What are the postgraduate opportunities like in Cork, UCD and Trinity for Theoretical Physics?

What are the requirements?

Any help is much appreciated.

dont forget Maynooth!

as regards TCD:
http://www.tcd.ie/Physics/Postgrad/page24.php

If you are interested in a particular research at TCD and want to contact someone PM me and I will see if I can arrang a chat.

If you want to persue the research after that you might consider DIAS. You could call or email one of these who migh help out in pointing you in the right direction (which can be quite difficult in n dimentional vector spaces)
http://www.stp.dias.ie/people/

Son Goku

ISAW wrote:

dont forget Maynooth!
If you are interested in a particular research at TCD and want to contact someone PM me and I will see if I can arrang a chat.

Thanks, man.
I'm only a second year undergrad and I was wondering what kind of opportunities there are in Ireland. I'd probably only be wasting their time talking to them now.
Although it's incredibly nice of you to offer to arrange a chat.

Congoose

I think it's a good idea to go and talk to postgrads in the area you're interested in too. I found this really helpful when I was trying to decide on a masters/PhD, everyone I spoke to was happy to help.

On the theoretical side, I know there's a couple of postgrads doing relativity stuff in UCC. I remember talking to them for ages about the kind of stuff they do, and they were really helpful and sound (although an awful lot of it was over my head ).

Don't be afraid to email your lecturers either, many of them will be happy to talk about their area, and they should be able to tell you a bit about research going on in other colleges as well.

causal

Son Goku wrote:

I'm only a second year undergrad and I was wondering what kind of opportunities there are in Ireland. I'd probably only be wasting their time talking to them now.

Start meeting with as many possible supervisors sooner rather than later. You might find exactly what you want - or hate everything you see.

Some general Postgrad advice:
Doing a postgrad is very different to being an undergrad. Look at the long term picture and decide if you want to spend anywhere between 1-10 years on very little money. And what do you want to do after that - work - postdoc etc.

If you decide to go for it then:
Probably the single most important decision you make is who you choose as supervisor.
- make sure they are well published and currently active in the field
- talk with their current (and past) postgrads if possible (preferably past grads as they'll be more honest with themselves & you)
- if they don't expect you to be published before your thesis I'd walk away i.e. what's the point in doing research if it's not going to be published (at least as part of a larger paper)
- have your supervisor write precisely what is required for your thesis (it'll double by the time you finish)
- know what additional responsibiities you may have (e.g. 6 hours undergrad labs/demos/lectures per week)
- make sure the funding is rock-solid
- enjoy it


hth,
causal

planck2

Causal has hit the nail on the head.