PHD In Physics from a Biologist?

[optforfirst]

Hi guys! First timer here looking for advice.

 

I am currently working in translational research at lab in one of the top cancer hospitals in the world... the problem is although I love immunology I think my true love is physics research.

 

I have been doing physics thought experiments my entire life and have always excelled at math. My problem is I know very little about the general research field besides CERN, LHC, and industry... I'd like to stay in the United States to do research.

 

 

Could anyone shed light on this field?

 

I love (in order):

Cosmology & Gravitation

Quantum Gravity

Particle Physics

Superstring Theory

 

 

 

Thanks a ton!!

[DrRocket]

Hi guys! First timer here looking for advice.

 

I am currently working in translational research at lab in one of the top cancer hospitals in the world... the problem is although I love immunology I think my true love is physics research.

 

I have been doing physics thought experiments my entire life and have always excelled at math. My problem is I know very little about the general research field besides CERN, LHC, and industry... I'd like to stay in the United States to do research.

 

 

Could anyone shed light on this field?

 

I love (in order):

Cosmology & Gravitation

Quantum Gravity

Particle Physics

Superstring Theory

 

 

 

Thanks a ton!!

 

One generally does not jump into cutting edge research in any field without some preparation to understand what is already known and the tools and methods used in the field. The topics that you list are at the forefront of research and the tools and methods used are very specialized and very advanced.

 

I suggest that you inquire about programs, graduate or undergraduate as appropriate, at a university where the specialty of a faculty member is of interest to you.

Edited June 15, 2011 by DrRocket

[timo]

Until your questions are a bit more specific than "can someone shed some light on the fields" you best just read the Wikipedia articles on the topics. Apart from that: it is definitely not impossible to switch fields from biology. One of our post-docs (in the theoretical physics department) is a biologist by training. But: He's working in the theoretical biophysics group, not with the cosmologists. The big issue is: why should anyone take you as a PhD student over anyone else? Excelling at math is good, but I think you'd need something to formally show that, like having achieved a top position in the math Olympiad or something like that.

[optforfirst]

I guess I need to clarify my question.

 

I guess my question is: what is the life structure of a researcher in these fields? Is there a principle investigator who has a "physics lab" who may help contribute to his field through grants, or do I need to go for tenure at a university/move to a particle collider to be at the top of the research?

[CharonY]

Sorry, maybe it is a wording problem, but I do not really understand your question. Do you mean which groups you need to join to work in these fields?

 

Since many of the things you mentioned require a high level of mathematical training you really have to demonstrate that you are qualified. In more experimental and/or applied fields with intersection with biology, it is far more feasible to switch (or try to do the interdisciplinary dance, which is quite tricky to pull off).

Edited June 15, 2011 by CharonY

[ajb]

My experience of talking to biology graduates and postgraduates is that there is a total lack of mathematical training. I do not wish to offend anyone by saying that and optforfirst may be far more acquainted with mathematics than the average biologist.

 

That said, it is not impossible to get on a PhD course in physics without a physics degree. However without some good grounding one may find it hard to convince someone to be your supervisor.

 

Witten's undergraduate degree is in history, if that helps inspire anyone to move into physics.