Update time. I'm finishing up a degree in theoretical chemistry at the moment and trying to get into one of the most competitive theoretical physics graduate programmes in the world. So I need to show... something.
To that end, I've somehow managed to get myself registered for a programme wherein I'm allowed to take theoretical physics graduate credits at all Scottish universities via video conference, for free (doctoral training centres are overfunded and stuff). I got enrolled in one class this semester, somewhat against my will. And I'm apparently at the equivalent of a 4.0 GPA in this so far (as opposed to the 3.6ish of my undergrad to date).
So on Friday there's a meeting that I've been invited to at my home university, and I kind of want to decide on the courses I should take next semester. Most of this is only marginally useful to me as most of the classes that are directly related to what I want to (and can) do are not being taught next semester. I'm thinking I can probably cope with 2, aiming for a high grade in one of them. It might also make my PhD a bit less time-consuming (hah!)
I've picked out the following:
Quantum Information (i.e. quantum computing for physicists)
The Standard Model (relativistic quantum stuff; this might be useful as I wanted to get some relativity related project done in grad school eventually)
Modern Quantum Field Theory (way theoretical stuff, essentially deriving the aforementioned standard model; this actually seems pretty useful in general)
Flavour Physics (quarks, but no actual tasty things)
Quarks and Hadron Spectroscopy (it seems to be about a qualitative view on exotic particles and stuff)
Vote on 1, discuss how this is totally inappropriate and I'm just bragging, and I'll probably ignore all this and go for quantum information anyway because it's cool.
Poll something.
Which course is the least ridiculous?
Quantum Information : | 4 (18.2%) | |
The Standard Model : | 3 (13.6%) | |
Modern QFT : | 4 (18.2%) | |
Flavour Physics : | 0 (0.0%) | |
Quarks and Hadron Spectroscopy: | 6 (27.3%) | |
Nixnot, shower, now also in Scottish.: | 5 (22.7%) | |
Total: | 22 |
Also, surprisingly, theoretical physicists like keeping chemists around. It's nice. Everyone else just seems to like mathematicians.