If you want to go to graduate school in biophysics, should you major in physics or biology?
I would not suggest you to do Biology/Chemistry or even Biochemistry if you are to do your future research in Biophysics.I am currently(or to be) a graduate student in Biophysics and Computational Biology who did his undergrad in Chemistry which was not the best of decisions, The problem with core Chemistry/Biology/Biochemistry degree in most of the traditional schools is that all the courses have a very little "interdisciplinary" touch in them meaning that you will be mostly doing courses in organic synthesis/pure biology which is useful only if you are going to primarily do research in them, hence you will be wasting a lot of time(which I never did: P) memorizing not so useful stuff.NOTE: It is not that they are not useful.You definitely need them if you are do research in these more traditional science but it's just that you hardly require them in newer fields like Systems Biology,Biophysics etc. etc.The new scientific fields like Biophysics/ Bioinformatics/System Biology are extremely interdisciplinary and Biology/Chemistry required in them isn't high at all ,something which you can pick up very quickly.Biophysics is 50%Physics+ 25%(Biology-Chemistry)+25%(Maths--Computational) . So doing Physics is probably the best decision for Biophysics but a more general advice would be do to *MATHS*Everything in this world is nothing but applied mathematics and if somebody has a nice background in Mathematics, he/she can should not have any problem in adjusting to any field.But for Biophysics : Physics>Maths>Chemistry(because advanced Chemistry levels in any university will have lot of Spectroscopy and Computational courses which are very useful for Biophysics) > Biology
Can a non-cs graduate earn a MS degree in computer science? How would I prepare for this?
It depends on your course. If you’re from an IT undergrad then certainly yes. If you’re from an ECE undergrad then there’s a couple of things you need to consider but there is a possibility. If you’re from Mechanical or Chemical Engineering then I wouldn’t bet on it.Let me address the case of an ECE undergraduate because that’s the most usual case I see while speaking to students at Gradvine.A lot of the courses in ECE and CS tend to overlap. In fact in the USA, ECE and CS grads are largely viewed as the same, with both graduates securing often cross-functional roles. However, ECE grads lack courses that are prerequisites for a MS in Computer Science. Typically, across Indian universities, these tend to be Database Management Systems, Data Structures & Algorithms, and Operating Systems. With these courses absent, you will either be rejected from CS programs or you will be asked to complete these courses by taking an additional semester which will drive the cost of your degree up. In general too, common sense would dictate that the admissions committee would prefer an applicant with the same GRE, GPA and profile with a CS undergrad instead of one with an ECE undergrad. Hence making it to a top university will be significantly harder without a pure CS background.What is the solution to this? Here’s my take-Work ex: If you have significant work ex (over 2 years) in core CS, you can be considered for a CS program at a top university on the basis of your work projects. Hence you are showing a significant advantage of picking you over a traditional CS grad without work ex.Apply to an MS in ECE/CE/VLSI and specialise in CS related subjects: As I mentioned earlier, in the USA, ECE and CS grads are almost viewed to be interchangeable. Your objective should be to make it to the best possible university first. With an ECE undergrad, you will certainly make it to a better ECE program. Since 60% of your curriculum can be typically filled with electives at foreign universities, you can take subjects your area of interest within CS that will allow you to secure a CS related job. I’ve known quite a few people move into AI and Machine Learning roles through this route.You can discuss this further and get application guidance from ECE and CS grads from the top 20 universities through Gradvine! www.gradvine.comHere’s a link to my Linkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sree...
How difficult are Physics quals at top physics graduate programs, as compared to more average physics graduate programs?
Most quals are moderately difficult undergraduate problems. They vary a little in difficult between schools, with some having forgone them entirely. In almost all cases, they are not a major hurdle for most graduate students. No school that I know of uses quals as a way of weeding out already admitted students. As such, it usually simply requires boning up on the requisite material.
Mgmt Information Systems vs. Electrical Engineering vs. Computer Science degrees... HELP!?
Hello to All!!! I am just about to begin my first semester of college. I am going to begin at Austin Community College and eventually transfer to the University of Texas. My question is this, of the following bachelor degree majors: Management Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science, which would give the best opportunity? The questions is very open, please give pros and cons of each if possible. But which will land be a job with the best pay/hours, which will leave me in a better position to pursue a Master's degree in the area. .. this one isn't about the point, I really need some help LOL. I'm very open minded and I'm looking for any suggestions/ comments. Thank you all Very Much!~
What is the difference between polytechnic universities and 'normal' universities?
ex polytechnic uni's aren't given as much weight as Red Brick uni's by some employers but generally it doesn't really matter a great deal. With so many graduates out there experience is more vital
Should I pursue computer science if I am bad at math?
I think I can speak to this. In high school, I hated Math, thought it was "useless" and spent most of my time in math class sleeping in the back because I surfed all morning. I went to Geometry (very low), and actually had to retake it in the summer because my teacher hated me (my excuse). I cruised through GE classes at my local community college, but then decided to transfer to private college in San Diego and take things seriously. I had to pay for school myself so I thought long and hard about picking a major that would help me pay off my school debt, and it was Computer Science. I never coded in my life, but I "loved computer games" and "knew my way around PC's."CS 100 was a real wake up call. It was extremely difficult for me to pick up programming, especially with most of my classmates who were apparently coding from the womb. I spent a lot of time in tutoring. I spent a lot of time with my Professor. Halfway through the semester I really began to enjoy programming and worked really hard in the class, and I believe maintained a B. Math was a different story, I was thrown into Calculus, Algebra 2, etc with no real knowledge at all. I struggled greatly, but I was determined to learn and I spent pretty much every day in tutoring. I squeaked through with C's in my Math classes but I did it! Getting really great teachers in the subjects really helped me through the learning curve.Fast Forward, I started with 100+ students in CS, and graduated with 5. I've been a developer ever since, and make great living. I don't use say, calculus or algebra on a daily basis, but use the concepts and problem solving that I learned daily. I hope this helps and good luck!
UCR, CSUSB, or Cal Poly Pomona for Computer Science?
I will be transferring in Fall of 2013 in computer science and just wondering what your thoughts were on these three schools. Cal State San Bernardino will only be about a 30 minute drive away from where I live. UC Riverside and Cal Poly Pomona would be around an hour. Thanks in advanced.