University Of Waterloo

[MysticVegeta]

Hi I was just wondering if the University of waterloo offers a good program for Physics and math because I was thinking of doing a Bach., Masters + phd in it. I have always liked Physics so I was wondering if it would be right for me, also I live in Calgary so I would haev to rent something there, would that be costly or should I try to go to University of Calgary? cause I heard its really expensive living there.
Thanks a lot

[Martin]

Join the massochism with me and take applied math! Not only will you have the fun of physics, but everyone you tell your major to will say 'Oh, I thought you were good at math...'

[md]

I thought you were good at math martin

UW has one of the best math programs in the country, if not the world.

[Tony]

Martin and Cornflake are the two to talk to about Math at UW.

Me thinks we need a dedicated University of Waterloo forum

[MysticVegeta]

thanks a lot for the info guys! Only if there were enough jobs for people with a phd in physics Cause dont wanna waste 10 years then keep looking for ajob lol

[Martin]

If you pursue something out of a passion for the subject, you will be able to find employment no matter what you do. Your concern should be what you want to do, not what will get you a job - that part can come later.

[cool dude]

Martin wrote:

If you pursue something out of a passion for the subject, you will be able to find employment no matter what you do. Your concern should be what you want to do, not what will get you a job - that part can come later.

i kinda disagree. u should be concerned with being able to find employment in that field because some fields are tremedously hard to find a job in and some people have to switch to another job because of that. how r u gonna earn a living without a job?

[Cervantes]

cool dude: what is the job market going to look like in 5-15 years?

[person]

How easy is it to find a job for careers such as:

Professional Athlete
Model
Artist
Dancer
Singer

I personally think that the first priority is interest. Then you must consider finding a job, but if its almost impossible to find a job with that career, you should move on.

[Dan]

I fully agrea with person. Perosanly i think you should try to be what you whont to not what will make moeny in 5 years. If you enjoy art and whont to be an artest then be one. Money is great and all but as the cleasahy goses it dose not bring happyness (well maybe if you are shalow enougth).

Also as with any phd you can allways teach

[Martin]

To quote a song by Belle and Sebastian, Get Me Away From Here I'm Dying

"Think of it this way
You could either be successful or be us
With our winning smiles, and us
With our catchy tunes and words
Now we're photogenic
You know, we don't stand a chance"

[cool dude]

i didn't mean it that way. u should obviously choose a job you like but as person said if its impossible to find a job then u should move on even if u like that job. wat. although u should choose wisely before choosing a career and consider all factors not only the factor that u like the job.

and to answer cerventas question u obviously don't know wat the market will look like in 5 to 15 years but there r a lot of sophisticated good predictions people made. especially in the computer field!

[MysticVegeta]

Well you guys thanks, but my problem is that after getting phd in physics, I dont want to teach, I want to be in a research group in astronomy. I know there are jobs in it in US but not that much in Canada, also my parents keep on stressing about going to become an "Environmental Engineer" cause it has so-called "Good paying lots of jobs". They also say other things that I have 0 interest in.
Do you guys know if there are enough jobs for people with physics phd in the astronomy research in Canada?

[Martin]

Sure, but research in that regard is what professors do. There are also jobs at NASA and other places in the US.

Keep in mind that getting a Ph.D is going to be 8 or 9 years down the road, so don't try and plan that far ahead - 8 or 9 years ago did you have any idea where you'd be today? Find something that you enjoy doing, and the jobs will follow. Nobody can predict that far into the future.

[person]

Wouldn't it be smarter to first get a BA, then a job, then a MA, then a job, then a Phd while with a job or something?