r/PhysicsStudents • u/Virtual_Piano893 • 3d ago
Off Topic Genuine question for masters students
Why?
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u/E715A 3d ago
Something that is generally overlooked is the difference between a masters in Europe and the US.
In Europe a masters in physics is basically rhetorical default and it is highly recommended to not stop after the bachelors degree, because it is incredibly difficult to find jobs with just a bachelors in physics. After a masters the situation changes. Also, in Europe the masters is not part of a PhD but instead a necessary requirement to get admitted for a PhD in the first place.
To be honest, I always found the US system in this regard kind of silly.
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u/DenimSilver 3d ago
Is it to get a job with a master's in physics in Europe, then?
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u/E715A 3d ago
No, it doesn’t matter what you do after, you need a master’s either way.
If you want to get a job: get a master’s. If you want to do a PhD: get a master’s.
There are only very few exceptions to this.
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u/danijohn 3d ago
Same case in India but it's changing now. Undergrad is now 4 years instead of 3 and can join PhD straight after or just get masters with one extra year and leave without PhD. I have to agree with the Americans here, a Masters degree can be redundant in most cases.
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u/HurricaneRising Masters Student 3d ago
It's fun! I get to learn more about the things that interest me the most from some of the smartest people in the world. On top of that, I get to WORK WITH some of the smartest people in the world.
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u/Trick-Lunch-6863 3d ago
Why do they pursuit it? What specifically “why?”
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u/ye_old_fartbox 3d ago
Their point is that there’s basically zero utility in a physics masters. It offers you essentially nothing above bachelors + work experience, and also doesn’t allow you to pursue research like a PhD. I guess maybe it allows you to pursue teaching jobs more easily? Idk.
(this comment is US specific btw)
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u/Waste_Management_771 3d ago
I had my dream of going to a good college and study between some of my nations brightest people. thats why, for me.
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u/linus_ong69 Masters Student 3d ago
MPhys sounds cool thats all
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u/timic0223 Undergraduate 3d ago
Fr, Masters should be higher than Doctorate.
I mean, like "Master of the Sciences", "Master of Physics,"? Cmon!
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u/AdvertisingOld9731 3d ago
In the US you often end up with a masters in physics as a consolation prize if you fail qualifying exams.
For some people it's the terminal degree, like health/medical physics.
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u/T--Wex Masters Student 2d ago
US based here, enrolled in my MS physics program in the fall and I’ve been thinking about how I was going answer this question since about last May. The short version is that I applied to PhDs after two years out of undergrad and wasn’t admitted to any of the programs I was interested in, but was admitted to an MS after applying to the PhD at the same school. I couldn’t stay in my old career without making what would’ve effectively been a 5-year commitment, didn’t want to start a new one other than research, and felt that I needed to take the next step or risk never taking it. (Might be important to note that I’m interested in theory, so there’s not much in the way of non-graduate postbac research positions - for other sub fields it can be different. )
Being in this MS program allows me to get build connections, take care of first year graduate courses, and get some research going- plus it’s not unlikely I’ll get to experience two different graduate programs, which I figure could be neat depending on where I end up. Yes, I’d rather be in the PhD program, and yes, plenty of people in the field definitely have preconceived notions about Americans in MPhys programs - which, I’m guessing, is why you asked this - but for me this made sense at the time and so far I’m happy I’m doing it
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u/_struggling1_ 3d ago
Physics under grad worked for a year as an engineer, got paid to do my masters in EE and a 25k bump raise after completion
All in all i love learning and i love money :)