Careers: Physics/Questions Answered by Expert Carlo Segre
| Subject | Date Asked |
| studying physics after graduating as an engineer | 5/20/2012 |
| Q: Sir, I am an undergraduate student of Electronics Engineering in India. I have a keen interest in ... A: The good news is that an engineering student has a good start on studying physics because of the ... | |
| physics | 5/14/2012 |
| Q: i am in my second semester in industrial physics 100 level,my first semester was not good i heard ... A: This an impossible question to answer as it does not involve advice that is independent of your ... | |
| change in career | 5/11/2012 |
| Q: i would be thankful for you if you sugest about my career. Presently i am working as a school ... A: You haven't mentioned what your postgraduate degree is. I suspect a Masters given your age and when ... | |
| Applying for Plasma Physics Master/Ph.D degree | 4/29/2012 |
| Q: I´m Leonardo,I´m 19 years old. I´m from Venezuela and I started to study electrical engineering at ... A: If you want to WORK on projects like ITER it is likely that you can do so with an electrical ... | |
| Physics after Engineering | 4/16/2012 |
| Q: I'm from India. I have been fascinated with maths, science and computers since childhood. I wanted ... A: My advice would be definitely to go for the Ph.D. in Engineering. When you become involved in ... | |
| career advice | 3/24/2012 |
| Q: I really need some advice on my study I am actually at a cross road to choose my course for my ... A: These are a lot of questions and there seem to be a lot of contradictions in what you are asking. I ... | |
| guide | 3/13/2012 |
| Q: sir,i am a class 12 student and i want to pursue higher education in physics.i am good at maths.and ... A: Your next step is to take a physics degree as an undergraduate. A B.S. in physics is a general ... | |
| use of computers for physics research | 2/28/2012 |
| Q: what are the uses of computers for research in physics? A: That is vast question. Physicists originally invented computers to be able to do calculations for ... | |
| Careers In Physics, Chemistry, Math | 2/28/2012 |
| Q: I'm a 15-year-old high school student looking towards the future and careers and was hoping you ... A: The short answer is this, YES! One of the most intellectually challenging careers in physics, math ... | |
| renewable energy | 2/20/2012 |
| Q: i already have a Bsc in physics and i'm really interested in renewable energy.. i would like to know ... A: I did a bit of searching and I see that there is a European Master of Renewable Energy ... | |
| Plasma Physics Careers | 2/11/2012 |
| Q: I recently graduated with a degree in physics, and for a long time I planned on going into academia ... A: Going to graduate school is a commitment you make only if you are truly passionate about the field ... | |
| career guidance | 1/27/2012 |
| Q: I am a student of class 10 and I want to be a scientist in physics.CAn u plz help me in guiding what ... A: I am afraid that I don't really understand your questions. There are no minimal and maximal ... | |
| Choosing a book | 12/10/2011 |
| Q: I need a book that teaches UG physics from the basic(in a clear way), that includes mathematical ... A: Basically any calculus-based college physics text should do for a start. Look for one that is ... | |
| Help | 12/4/2011 |
| Q: my name is sashi and i am studying Bs with major physic. iam plannig to study Embeded systems for ... A: I don't see why not. You might have some remedial courses to take because you don't have a computer ... | |
| Can my Physics Certificate Help in Info Tech | 11/25/2011 |
| Q: I am in my final year studying physics with electronics and currently on my intern with a computer ... A: I would suggest that you take a Masters in software engineering or computer engineering. The ... | |
| i want join as scientist | 9/6/2011 |
| Q: my name is Irtiza Ali ,Want to ask that can i join NASA as scientist, But problem is this that I am ... A: at the age of 13, you will not be able to work at NASA. To obtain a technical position at NASA ... | |
| Career in Physics Academia | 9/3/2011 |
| Q: I recently graduated with a degree in physics, and for a long time I really thought I wanted to be a ... A: Unfortunately, the answer to your question is yes. The decision pursue an academic track limits ... | |
| Career in Physics Academia | 9/3/2011 |
| Q: I recently graduated with a degree in physics, and for a long time I really thought I wanted to be a ... A: Wow, a lot of questions to answer! Let me take them in order. I would have to say that the field ... | |
| formation of elements | 8/22/2011 |
| Q: Could you please tell me which was created first in the order of cosmological creation of elements ... A: Your original question asked about the water MOLECULE, not the oxygen ATOM. If you as me about ... | |
| formation of elements | 8/16/2011 |
| Q: Could you please tell me which was created first in the order of cosmological creation of elements ... A: You are actually asking about two completely different processes as water is a molecule and Neon is ... | |
| M.Sc. in UK vs Ph.D. in US | 7/31/2011 |
| Q: I recently came across this one year M.Sc. programme in theoretical physics being offered at the ... A: If I remember correctly, you have an engineering background. A 1 year M.Sc. program in the U.K. ... | |
| MS vs Phd in Physics | 7/18/2011 |
| Q: I was wondering which of the two options, MS or Ph.D. in Physics, would be a better choice from a ... A: Yes, generally, universities with Ph.D. programs will prefer to spend resources such as Teaching and ... | |
| Why floating objects move? | 7/18/2011 |
| Q: It is known that wave transfer energy and not matter. How does that explain for the fact that ... A: This is not strictly a question about careers in physics but I can give you a hint. Oceans have ... | |
| MS vs Phd in Physics | 7/18/2011 |
| Q: I was wondering which of the two options, MS or Ph.D. in Physics, would be a better choice from a ... A: The answer to your first question depends on what you want to do in an industrial environment. The ... | |
| msc in physics | 7/10/2011 |
| Q: i am a student of 3rd year physics hons. in Delhi university. i am highly confused about my future. ... A: I can only speak for the U.S. as far as career options with a B.Sc. I expect that there might be ... | |
| about Phd | 7/5/2011 |
| Q: My Gre score is 1030(q800+v230). Can any one help me in selecting univrsity for PHD program in ... A: Your quantitative score is very good but the verbal portion will limit your options for a Ph.D. ... | |
| msc in physics | 7/5/2011 |
| Q: i am a student of 3rd year physics hons. in Delhi university. i am highly confused about my future. ... A: This is a difficult question. It depends on your career goals and the kind of degree that you are ... | |
| Non-academia jobs for physics Ph.D.'s | 7/4/2011 |
| Q: I've been reading on the internet about how most physics Ph.D.'s go in for jobs other than post ... A: Many companies are in need of the so-called quant jobs. These include investment companies (the big ... | |
| What branch of Physics? | 7/3/2011 |
| Q: I am currently about to start my last year of high school and i am starting my application process. ... A: I think it is important to consider what kind of careers are open to someone with a physics degree. ... | |
| Paper Tower | 6/15/2011 |
| Q: My tech project is to create a paper tower with only sheet of 8 1/2" but 11" paper, 3 feet of tape, ... A: This is not really a Physics Careers question but i can give you some hints. Look for how to build ... | |
| Applied or pure Physics | 6/14/2011 |
| Q: im a second year student at university of kwazulu natal.im currently registered for applied ... A: My suggestion is that you choose pure physics. An applied physics degree is good but usually ... | |
| Tattoos and piercings | 6/10/2011 |
| Q: How well are visible tattoos and piercings tolerated in the world of professional physics? I suspect ... A: Wow! This is an interesting and unusual question but it should be answered. My impression is that ... | |
| Advice | 6/6/2011 |
| Q: I am a Bachelor of Education(Maths/Chemistry) Degree graduate and i would like to master in a field ... A: My suggestion is to look into the field of biophysics. This is an area which cuts across all the ... | |
| Graduate school applications (contd.) | 6/5/2011 |
| Q: The site wouldn't allow more follow ups, so had to post a new ques. Anyway, [Q] In looking back at ... A: This is really a difficult question to answer. I can only tell you what my experience has been with ... | |
| Graduate school applications (contd.) | 6/3/2011 |
| Q: The site wouldn't allow more follow ups, so had to post a new ques. Anyway, [Q] In looking back at ... A: Any university will likely require you to take some upper division mechanics , E&M and Quantum ... | |
| career in condensed matter physics | 5/31/2011 |
| Q: i completed my master of science in electronics in 2005 and working as a power electronics engineer ... A: Of course it is possible, but you might have to take some remedial courses for a Ph.D. in physics. ... | |
| Jobs in Physics | 5/31/2011 |
| Q: Carlo I'm looking at getting a B.S. in Physics and I was wondering what kind of 'good' jobs might be ... A: It is not generally known but physics majors are usually very competitive with engineers for R&D ... | |
| Graduate school Applications and further career prospects | 5/29/2011 |
| Q: This is going to be a long question. But I hope you would find the time to answer it. Graduate ... A: I see where your question is coming from now. No, the M.S. is not required in the U.S. and in fact ... | |
| Graduate school Applications and further career prospects | 5/29/2011 |
| Q: This is going to be a long question. But I hope you would find the time to answer it. Graduate ... A: Self study is good and it looks like your are working through the right books. The best way to show ... | |
| Graduate school Applications and further career prospects | 5/28/2011 |
| Q: This is going to be a long question. But I hope you would find the time to answer it. Graduate ... A: Long question, long answer... Given your engineering background, it will be challenging to enter a ... | |
| undergraduate physics | 4/27/2011 |
| Q: Which institute is best for studying physics at undergraduate level, iiser or iit? A: That is a good question. From what I understand the Indian Institutes of Science and Education ... | |
| Electromagnetic waves | 4/13/2011 |
| Q: i am a high student and i am doing a project on electromagnetic waves. I would like to know the ... A: This is an ill-posed question because electromagnetic radiation is a broad class of phenomena and ... | |
| Amps | 4/11/2011 |
| Q: The Volt (kgm/s^2) x a Second = Weber (kgm/s) A Weber multiplied by an Amp or Wikipeida's ... A: This is not a question about careers in physics and looks suspiciously like a homework question but ... | |
| College courses | 4/10/2011 |
| Q: I'm a secondary school student in Ireland, this September i'll be starting a college course. My main ... A: The answer is yes, graduate students in a Ph.D. program are paid either as Teaching Assistants (in ... | |
| College courses | 4/9/2011 |
| Q: I'm a secondary school student in Ireland, this September i'll be starting a college course. My main ... A: Of course you are not bothering me. I volunteer on this site because I like to answer these kinds ... | |
| College courses | 4/9/2011 |
| Q: I'm a secondary school student in Ireland, this September i'll be starting a college course. My main ... A: In my opinion, it is always good to have some experience in experimental physics at University. ... | |
| Physics with electronics | 4/8/2011 |
| Q: Pls i'm a final year HND physics with electronics student.in what area can i work. Or can i use my ... A: From what I understand the Higher National Diploma (HND) is equivalent to the first two years of ... | |
| atoms | 4/2/2011 |
| Q: Is there a part of the atom that doesn't have energy such as the empty space, even if it is affected ... A: Mass is just one manifestation of energy. This is what E=mc^2 tells us. Matter is nothing more ... | |
| Dilemma in choosing my career | 3/30/2011 |
| Q: Next fall I will begin my B.S. in either physics or in Engineering . I am having a hard time ... A: You can certainly learn physics that way. If you wish to pursue an advanced degree in physics, ... | |
| Dilemma in choosing my career | 3/30/2011 |
| Q: Next fall I will begin my B.S. in either physics or in Engineering . I am having a hard time ... A: An excellent question! I am happy to "bust" the myth that physicists sit at desks and develop ... | |
| Branches related to nuclear physics | 3/27/2011 |
| Q: Will you please tell me what branches of Physics are close to nuclear physics as I can't study the ... A: In that case, my suggestion is to look for a graduate program in either physics (where there is a ... | |
| Physics | 3/27/2011 |
| Q: I am a student at NUR( National University of Rwanda) in a 4th year Physics and I am preparing to ... A: I am unfamiliar with the specific use of the work "memoir" at your university but I am supposing ... | |
| Career | 3/22/2011 |
| Q: i have to apply for colleges next fall and i am really, really confused as to which career i should ... A: Yes, if you are interested in chemistry then you should pursue it, at least at the beginning. My ... | |
| Branches related to nuclear physics | 3/22/2011 |
| Q: Will you please tell me what branches of Physics are close to nuclear physics as I can't study the ... A: Nuclear Physics is a specialization of physics. You don't tell me what stage of education you are ... | |
| atoms | 3/21/2011 |
| Q: Is there a part of the atom that doesn't have energy such as the empty space, even if it is affected ... A: Again this is a nuanced answer because if you speak with a theoretical physicist and ask this, ... | |
| Career | 3/18/2011 |
| Q: i have to apply for colleges next fall and i am really, really confused as to which career i should ... A: This is a very hard question to answer because it is a bit unreasonable to expect someone your age ... | |
| mass | 3/14/2011 |
| Q: Does all radiation including sunshine and all particles have mass? If something doesn't have mass ... A: Einstein's famous relationship E=mc^2 tells us that mass and energy are equivalent. What this says ... | |
| mass | 3/13/2011 |
| Q: Does all radiation including sunshine and all particles have mass? If something doesn't have mass ... A: It depends on how you define radiation. In the most strict sense, the term "radiation" is ... | |
| High school | 3/12/2011 |
| Q: I am a straight A ninth grade student and I love all kinds of science especially physics. i just had ... A: Congratulations on your excellent academic record! Let me answer your questions one by one. 1. ... | |
| frequency | 2/19/2011 |
| Q: Someone told me that an atom can vibrate without producing an electromagnetic wave but it could be ... A: An atom can vibrate and always does so since the presence of zero point motion guarantees it. The ... | |
| Career paths | 2/12/2011 |
| Q: i want to study mathematics,physics and geography.what career am i most likely to take up after ... A: Good question. Let me start with physics and then say a few words about the others. A degree in ... | |
| Physics lab | 2/7/2011 |
| Q: I'm a physics student and I was wondering if instead of getting a job after I graduate I could ... A: This is a difficult question to answer on several levels because I can only give you ... | |
| atoms | 2/3/2011 |
| Q: I heard that atoms above absolute zero vibrate. Is this always true for all atoms or can they ... A: Atoms always have motion, no matter how low the temperature. This is one of the manifestations of ... | |
| higher studies | 2/2/2011 |
| Q: now i am doing btech.after my btech i want to do higher studies in physics.so plz give me a advice. A: This is a big question. I will assume that when you say "higher studies" in physics, you mean a ... | |
| Engineering/Research Degrees | 1/4/2011 |
| Q: Segre, I am currently a double major in physics and electrical engineering. My career goal is to ... A: At my institution we often have students who would like to pursue a dual degree in physics and some ... | |
| Ionizing Radiation | 12/31/2010 |
| Q: Maybe you can help? I found this on the web do you think it's credible? The following excerpt was ... A: Am-241 has a half-life of about 400 years and it mainly produces alpha particles (also low energy ... | |
| lens | 12/19/2010 |
| Q: why convex lens converges and concave lens diverges? ANSWER: That is not exactly true, it depends ... A: You can differentiate between a converging and a diverging lens by putting an illuminated object ... | |
| what opportunity? | 12/6/2010 |
| Q: my self falguni my son keshav is now in class 6th he want next study with NASA what opportunistic ... A: I answered this question previously on this site, so I will simply point you to that answer. ... | |
| physics | 11/29/2010 |
| Q: why do we need detergent when we are washing clothes? A: This is a question better answered by a chemist than a physicist but I will give you a brief answer. ... | |
| Physics | 11/18/2010 |
| Q: I am an undergraduate of Physics: Applied in Electronics, and I will like to do my MSc in ... A: I am not exactly sure what your question is. I can envision two interpretations for your question ... | |
| mechanics | 10/18/2010 |
| Q: Is all electromagnetic radiation considered to be photons? Can you have an electromagnetic wave ... A: The main evidence for the wave-particle duality is in what is called the Young's double-slit ... | |
| mechanics | 10/18/2010 |
| Q: Is all electromagnetic radiation considered to be photons? Can you have an electromagnetic wave ... A: All electromagnetic waves can be considered photons as well. It is a fundamental principle of ... | |
| emission of energy | 10/16/2010 |
| Q: When people and animals emit electromagnetic radiation both from inside their bodies and around ... A: The first statement is correct. If there is no change in energy of electrically charged particles, ... | |
| emission of energy | 10/14/2010 |
| Q: When people and animals emit electromagnetic radiation both from inside their bodies and around ... A: Carbon dioxide and water are both good absorbers of infrared radiation so, the typical absorption ... | |
| emission of energy | 10/13/2010 |
| Q: When people and animals emit electromagnetic radiation both from inside their bodies and around ... A: All electromagnetic radiation travels at the speed of light in vacuum. In a medium such as the ... | |
| A Career In Physics. | 9/23/2010 |
| Q: I am currently a senior in High School and don't hva e a very good idea of what to do after I ... A: I think you have me mixed up with Daniel Mazur, who also answers questions about careers in physics. ... | |
| career in physics | 9/17/2010 |
| Q: good day sir my name is israel am a nigerian.i love physics and mathematics so i choose theoretical ... A: I actually don't understand what you mean by "ordinary" physics. In order to be a physicist, you ... | |
| laser...,, | 9/8/2010 |
| Q: which is the laser used in nuclear power plant for initiating nuclear fusion reaction? A: First of all there is as yet no nuclear fusion power plant, there are only demonstration projects. ... | |
| biology. | 9/3/2010 |
| Q: Sorry, this question isn't actually about physics, but I am in grade 12 right now, and want to ger ... A: I am not an expert in the curricula of universities outside the United States so I cannot speak for ... | |
| To be a scientist | 8/3/2010 |
| Q: Sir , i want to be a scientiest in the field of astrophysics.what we have to do for it? A: You have not provided sufficient information for me to be more specific but the bottom line is that ... | |
| about my career | 7/31/2010 |
| Q: I am in second year B.D.S. student and I am intrested in physics very much and join to NASA then how ... A: I presume that the B.D.S. is the bachelor of Dental Surgery degree? Please correct me if I am ... | |
| Physics | 7/23/2010 |
| Q: Someone told me that everything is constantly absorbing and emitting light, even cells and atoms. ... A: The higher the temperature of the object the more its emission spectrum is shifted to shorter ... | |
| Physics | 7/13/2010 |
| Q: Someone told me that everything is constantly absorbing and emitting light, even cells and atoms. ... A: Everything you are saying in the question is true. All objects are constantly emitting ... | |
| Careers in physics | 6/16/2010 |
| Q: sir please give me detailed scope after graduation in physics..please tell me scope in both ... A: This is a very open ended question and there is a lot of interpretation involved. If by graduation, ... | |
| Water Evapouration Measurement | 6/15/2010 |
| Q: What is the formula to measure total water Evapouration on a round tank full of water over set time ... A: The evaporation rate of water depends on a number of factors and there is no simple "formula". Let ... | |
| physics | 6/4/2010 |
| Q: why do line in spectrum of sun light and star light differ whereas both are said to be same source ... A: If I understand your question correctly, you are referring to red or blue shift of the black-body ... | |
| Finding it difficult to decide what Master’s degree to do | 6/3/2010 |
| Q: I’m having a bit of a problem at the moment. I’m trying to choose a Masters degree but I’m finding ... A: I am not in the UK and consequently I am not an expert on the CEng but from a quick reading of the ... | |
| physics | 5/24/2010 |
| Q: why do line in spectrum of sun light and star light differ whereas both are said to be same source ... A: The color of a star is determined by its black-body radiation spectrum. The blackbody radiation ... | |
Carlo Segre
Top Expert on this page
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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