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Careers: Physics/career in condensed matter physics

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Expert: - 5/31/2011


Question
i completed my master of science in electronics in 2005 and working as a power electronics engineer for past 6 years. During these years i got interested in condensed matter physics. Actually it started from semiconductor physics while working on power switches selection for my designs. Now i want to do a phd in condensed matter physics so can you advise me whether i can do it or not.Now I'm crazy about condensed matter physics

Answer
Dear Pradeep:

Of course it is possible, but you might have to take some remedial courses for a Ph.D. in physics.  Particularly the mechanics and quantum mechanics.  I suspect that if you have an electrical engineering background, you have some knowledge of Electrodynamics (although probably not relativistic).  This could take a couple of extra terms to get up to speed but it is possible.

Another option which you might want to take is to go for a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or Materials Sciences, if you feel more comfortable with the course work required for those.  The reason I say this is the if you are doing a Ph.D. then the research is the thing and a lot of electrical engineers and materials scientists are actually doing research in condensed matter physics.  At the research level the lines blur.

At my university, we often give the opportunity for students who have a background that is not specifically in physics but we expect them to be able to pass our qualifying examination and handle the graduate coursework in physics (after suitable remedial courses, naturally).  Some of the students in this category do quite well.

Hope this helps,

Carlo

Careers: Physics

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Carlo Segre

Expertise

I can answer most questions about studying physics in college and graduate school; questions about condensed matter physics; x-ray physics; synchrotron radiation; and general and modern physics. I can also answer questions about careers in academia.

Experience

Professor of physics for 27 years at Illinois Institute of Technology. Academic adviser for undergraduates and graduate students. I have served on university promotion and tenure committees, search committees for Deans and Department Chairs. I have also been an Associate Department Chair and an Associate Dean. I have 30 years experience in materials science research and I have been responsible for building and now managing a User facility at the Advanced Photon Source.

Organizations
American Physical Society
Sigma Xi
American Chemical Society
American Associate for the Advancement of Science
International Centre for Diffraction Data (Fellow)
International X-ray Absorption Society


Publications
Nature; Physical Review Letters; Physical Review; Applied Physics Letters; Journal of Physical Chemistry; Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials; Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics; Solid State Communications; Physics Letters; Journal of Low Temperature Physics; Journal of Crystal Growth and Design; Physics Letters; Journal of Applied Physics; Journal of Archaeological Science; Physica C; Corrosion Science; Electrochimica Acta; Journal of Nuclear Materials

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. Physics, 1981 - University of California, San Diego
M.S. Physics, 1977 - University of California, San Diego
B.S. Physics, 1976 - University of illinois, Champaign-Urbana
B.S. Chemistry 1976 - University of illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Awards and Honors
Fellow, International Center for Diffraction Data

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