I am looking at getting my PhD in optics. I heard it takes 7 years. Is that true? And how long does it take to get a masters?
2006-07-23 03:48:27 · 8 answers · asked by Goose 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I think you can get your masters in a year (but that depends on you) and maybe 6-7 years to get your PHD. then again i may be wrong.
2006-07-23 03:55:32 · answer #1 · answered by sweetfeet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read this post carefully. It contains important advice.
It took me 6 years for physics, but it depends an awful lot on the degree and how things are set up, so my recommendation is to do your homework first. For example, there were several grad students where I went that came from a place I'll call Ebonia (homage to Dilbert). I don't want to identify the location, or even whether it's a company, organization, or country because it could be any one, and I don't want people to think I'm anti-Elbonian. There was a professor, and subordinate faculty there from Elbonian that set up what I call "the Elbonian three year program". No one else could get out in less than 4 years, and the "normative" time (really, that's what they called it) was 6. However, Elbonia "required" their grad student to finish in 3 years, or there funding to go to school would be cut off. This was accomplished by the professor having enough clout to eliminate the "mandatory" first year spent as a teaching assistant to get them straight into research, and making sure the student's research path was charted in detail before they showed up with their duffle bag, and loading the student's PhD committe with the professor's faculty and close associates. Normally, students float around for a year or two to find a research niche. The pressure on the committe to push them out in 3 years was significant. So, surprise, they always finished in 3 years. If you are lucky enough to get in on a scam like that, it could save you years.
BTW, the MS where I went was considered the "booby prize" folks that couldn't pass the PhD qualifier the second time. No one even considered pursuing it as a primary goal. In physics, at least, it wasn't worth the effort. Optics may be different, I don't know. An EE MS is worth something, for example.
2006-07-23 12:06:44 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It took me 5 more years of school after I had my B.S. It can be done in 4 years, but I got my Master's first, then decided to go after the PhD...which took longer. There are advantages and disadvantages ot doing it "the long way": On the plus side, you get a more thorough education and can attend grad schools at different universities, which exposes you more points of view. On the down side, you're in school longer.
Oh...and your dissertation cannot be "convincing garbage", your dissertation defense is open to the public, and ANYone can attend and ask you questions about your presentation...which you BETTER be able to answer. On the whole, I'd say it was totally worth it. It's a LOT of work to climb the hill, but the view from the top is really great!
Good Luck with your plans!
2006-07-23 11:07:46 · answer #3 · answered by stevenB 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My math PhD took 5 years (after a BA, no masters)
2006-07-23 13:10:00 · answer #4 · answered by Aaron 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It took me 3 and a 1/2 years but I did my BSc first which took 4 years. A masters would take 1 year if you don't count the 4 years BSc. These courses are in the UK.
2006-07-23 12:29:15 · answer #5 · answered by Itchyknee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally 5 years after bachelor. But 4 years are also very common. Can you do in 3. Some have done it
2006-07-23 12:12:12 · answer #6 · answered by Dr M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on how well you can write convincing garbage for your dissertations.
B.S. = Bull ****
M.S. = More ****
P.h.D. = Piled higher and deeper.
Steven B: I don't know what your Phd is but most dissertations are not worth the paper they are written on, even though they are open to public defense. View from the top? lol. Academia is the only profession where you think you have lots of power but truth is you have no real power or money.
If you are at the top, I pity those who have to stare up at your rear end!! lol
2006-07-23 10:58:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Heyy there!!!!!!!!! How are you?
Well it takes about 3 years for completing your Bachelor's Degree and two or one and a half more for your Master's Degree and 5 long years time for your Ph.D. here in India...
Hope that has solved your purpose....
Byeeee then
take care....!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-07-23 11:55:17 · answer #8 · answered by Dominique 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋