University dilemma - theoretical physics

[Akirus]

So, after a little more research into university choices, I just learned that Monash does not even teach general relativity or quantum field theory until honors year, important topics I'd need to study more advanced physics. On the contrary, ANU teaches both of these as third year subjects, as well as offering string theory research projects.

I didn't really want to move interstate but the reasons not to go to Monash seem to be piling up. How big of a deal is this? I was considering perhaps self-teaching myself the stuff not covered by the undergrad program, but I'm not sure how plausible that is. Am I left with no option but to move out and attend ANU if I want to continue this line of study?

[crappy]

Go to ANU

Monash Physics is shit

[schmalex]

Have you chekced out what Melbourne do?

[Cthulhu]

Monash teaches general relativity in 3rd year in the school of mathematics.

[Akirus]

I dislike Melbourne for a few reasons, mostly because I don't want to spend 1/4 of my units on breadth and I will only be able to take one major. Moreover, they don't have a research component in the undergraduate level like ANU/Monash/USyd etc.

Monash teaches general relativity in 3rd year in the school of mathematics.

Really? I emailed them, and got this reply:

Thank you for your email. To answer your question, NO 3rd year theoretical physics does not cover GR and QFT. However, third year does lay the foundations needed to study GR and QFT, which is covered in the fourth-year (Honours) course. Note also that honours research projects in supersymmetry are available at Monash, to suitably high achieving students.

Kind regards


Jean

[jimmy999]

One of my mates doing 3rd year physics has had a couple of lectures on quantum field theory. Therefore they probably spend a few lectures on those two things in their 3rd year units but not a full topic. If you really want to study those things then it's worth going to ANU

[Cthulhu]

I dislike Melbourne for a few reasons, mostly because I don't want to spend 1/4 of my units on breadth and I will only be able to take one major. Moreover, they don't have a research component in the undergraduate level like ANU/Monash/USyd etc.

Monash teaches general relativity in 3rd year in the school of mathematics.

Really? I emailed them, and got this reply:

Thank you for your email. To answer your question, NO 3rd year theoretical physics does not cover GR and QFT. However, third year does lay the foundations needed to study GR and QFT, which is covered in the fourth-year (Honours) course. Note also that honours research projects in supersymmetry are available at Monash, to suitably high achieving students.

Kind regards


Jean

They may have assumed you meant the school of physics theoretical physics units in which case they don't.
http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2010handbooks/units/ASP3051.html
If you mean the ANU subject: http://studyat.anu.edu.au/courses/PHYS3002;details.html
then you have http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2010handbooks/units/PHS3131.html and http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2010handbooks/units/PHS3142.html from monash.
Also on your undergraduate research topics:
http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2010handbooks/units/PHS3350.html
http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2010handbooks/units/PHS3360.html

I'm not here to tell you how great Monash is and that you should go there. I'm just telling you what I know.

[Akirus]

They may have assumed you meant the school of physics theoretical physics units in which case they don't.
http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2010handbooks/units/ASP3051.html
If you mean the ANU subject: http://studyat.anu.edu.au/courses/PHYS3002;details.html
then you have http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2010handbooks/units/PHS3131.html and http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2010handbooks/units/PHS3142.html from monash.
Also on your undergraduate research topics:
http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2010handbooks/units/PHS3350.html
http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2010handbooks/units/PHS3360.html

I'm not here to tell you how great Monash is and that you should go there. I'm just telling you what I know.

I know, thanks for the help. I'll take a look.

[TrueTears]

do NOT go to monash for physics, it's so bad like crappy said.

[Cthulhu]

do NOT go to monash for physics, it's so bad like crappy said.

If he's doing uni enhancement he wont have to do 1st year David Mills can go jump.

[Akirus]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but ASP3051 covers special relativity, not general relativity.

[Cthulhu]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but ASP3051 covers special relativity, not general relativity.

and you'd be right, sorry. hmm.. Guess they don't.

[Akirus]

So, should I give up on trying to justify going to Monash to save myself from going interstate? Is self-teaching this stuff a viable option? The plus side is that I can finish a BSc at Monash in 2 years... =/

[TrueTears]

self-learning is always a viable option as long as you're passionate about what you're learning and considering your ability, i dont think you'd have any problem

but seriously if you're doing physics at monash, you'd better prepare to self learn LOL

[crappy]

If you're able to avoid the crackpot named David Mills, then yes, go to Monash.

Because he will severely fuck up your interest in Physics.