What is it like being a Physics major?
What are common misconceptions about PHY majors?
What kind of internships and international experiences have majors had?
How will Physics majors save the world?
Why would anyone want to date a Physics major?
Physics is EVERYTHING Physics deals with objects, basically, from as big as the whole universe (and beyond) to as small as quark (and beyond). It strives to explain everything that has happened, is happening and will happen using a set of rules, gradually discovered and implemented by generations of people. It is the ultimate integration of science and art.
BASICALLY, EVERYTHING.
Just to name a few:
- Rules that govern everything that exists (like why don't we just fly off the earth if we jump up, or why do we have mass at all)
- Quantitative and analytical skills (useful in every field, even if you don't want to do research for life)
- Ability to work in inter-disciplinary areas (Physics goes with everything—econophysics, biophysics, chem-physics, neuroscience etc.)
- Ability to identify & create art. (Seriously, most of the physics laws and equations are very elegant and beautiful. Take a course in Quantum Mechanics or Particle Physics or Relativity—you'll be convinced. )
What is it like being a Physics major?
IT JUST FEELS COOL!
The Department is likely to be the best you can get. Because of the high professor/student ratio, every major receives a lot of individual attention from professors. All professors are pretty open to students—just knock on their doors and they will be willing to talk to you about physics problems, course information or anything else. The Department really makes a lot of efforts to ensure that majors have the best experience. JP's/thesis are fun to do, actually. Advisers are usually very attentive and responsible. You will learn a lot about the topic you are working on as well as develop research skills. You will feel like you have actually done something non-trivial after you complete the JP's/thesis (this sounds trivial, but not many Departments actually achieve this). Also, for most courses, there will be problem sessions. So you get to interact with your graduate student TA's and your fellow majors A LOT. There will be many activities as well (talks, free pizza lunches with a speaker, seminars, piano recitals, outdoor trips etc.). It is just a really fun and meaningful place to spend your undergraduate life at.
What are common misconceptions about PHY majors?
Physics students are nerdy and dull. While some of them might be (just like any other department), not everyone is like that. There is not a stereotypical physics major. People can be very different. In case you haven't noticed, physics majors DOMINATE the university band, plus people were amazing at the annual physics department recital. A lot of physics majors are in eating clubs as well—so people do have fun, just like those in any other department.
Note: We do make a lot of physics jokes, and we are proud of them. Might sound a little nerdy, but you'll love them if you get into physics (guaranteed)!
What kind of internships and international experiences have majors had?
AGAIN, EVERYTHING. Everything from research (both in physics or in some other field, such as computer science, biology, chemistry, engineering etc.) to finance (yea, firms love physics majors). As for international, it's just like any other department—choice is wide-open.
How will Physics majors save the world?
WELL... 1. One has the know the world in order to save it, right? - BINGO! 2. We can be as theoretical as we want, and as practical as we want. 3. Having obtained the best skill set, we can ace in every discipline and career field. Seriously.
Why would anyone want to date a PHY major?
SIMPLY PUT, WE ARE JUST COOL. 1. Because we know a lot of cool stuff, and we are fun. 2. Because we are in the best department, ever. 3. Simply because we are HOT.
