Expert: Daniel Mazur - 2/14/2010

Question
Hi, I'm a 18 year old Leaving Cert student from Ireland and I'm torn between choosing Astrophysics or Theoretical Physics to study at university. My main area of interest is particle physics and nuclear physics, and initially I was drawn more towards Theoretical Physics, but I was slightly put off by the amount of maths involved. Its not that I'm terrible at maths, in fact I'm quite good, but I'm just afraid that my mathematical ability isn't on par with my physics ability, hence I was drawn to Astrophysics instead. I was wondering am I too apprehensive about theoretical physics, and is the mathematics side of it relatively manageable?

Answer
Hello Cassandra,

in both astrophysics and theoretical physics you will need to learn a lot of maths. However, what you know now has little relevance - you have 3-4 years ahead of you of general physics and maths education, which is the same for all physicists. Only at the very end of those 4 years you'll do a project in one of the fields, thereby specializing for the first time. You will have plenty of time to acquire all the skills you need for ANY career out there.

If you are quite good at maths and still better at physics, you must be a genius. I mean it. Mathematics is usually simple (from a physicist point of view) at a high-school compared to the physics. Let me issue just one warning: World-wide the education systems are set to preferentially produce students with theoretical skills and lack of practical skills and "feel" for the real world. On the other hand, the job market in physics has many more positions for experimental physicists AND of all branches within, the astrophysicists are probably the smallest group. I mean to say that there are many more students, who feel fit for theory or astro than these fields can sustain.

With theory and astro you are running the risk that, unless you are truly brilliant and successful from the start, you will soon after school have to chose between substantially changing your focus or leaving physics altogether. So, while I don't mean to discourage you from your dream career, I suggest that you keep your eyes open in all directions - at least until you land your Masters diploma project.

Good luck!
Daniel