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**Pwy9egVW** · 11-13-2009, 05:52 AM

I think for a physics PhD at UMD you are required to take like ~4 classes and pass a couple of tests.

The real point of a PhD is to have a mentor/advisor and be trained in how to do research, preferably to the point where you can begin to initiate yourself (although a lot of PhDs aren't good at this).

The skills involved have nothing to do with how well you are at classes or what your IQ is. It is a much better measurement of your future success... by putting you in a 1-1 relationship with a mentor/advisor and asking you to produce.

JM
(I and most UMD students take far more than 4 classes. I think I took 15 or something, and I would have taken far more if I hadn't had problems. The classes that I did take, even the ones I was serious about, were not of great importance.)

How many PHDs go into research? Do you think most of what you learned in your PHD program will help you in the job you eventually end up with. If you are going to be a researcher, I would assume it would be very helpful.

11-13-2009, 05:52 AM	#4
Pwy9egVW Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 470 Senior Member	I think for a physics PhD at UMD you are required to take like ~4 classes and pass a couple of tests. The real point of a PhD is to have a mentor/advisor and be trained in how to do research, preferably to the point where you can begin to initiate yourself (although a lot of PhDs aren't good at this). The skills involved have nothing to do with how well you are at classes or what your IQ is. It is a much better measurement of your future success... by putting you in a 1-1 relationship with a mentor/advisor and asking you to produce. JM (I and most UMD students take far more than 4 classes. I think I took 15 or something, and I would have taken far more if I hadn't had problems. The classes that I did take, even the ones I was serious about, were not of great importance.) How many PHDs go into research? Do you think most of what you learned in your PHD program will help you in the job you eventually end up with. If you are going to be a researcher, I would assume it would be very helpful.
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