Thread: Exciting areas of theoretical physics?

As some people on here may be aware, I'm hoping in the autumn to go and study theoretical physics for a year.

The aim is to go on and do a PhD after that. So I'm going to have to apply for PhD's December 2010/January 2011.

At the moment I feel myself leaning towards wanting to do something with quantum gravity, though obviously this could all change once im on this new course.

Apart from quantum gravity, string theory (which im also interested in) and vacuum energy, are there any other areas of modern theoretical physics that you guys think might be worth a look into?

Cheers in advance, sox

Originally Posted by sox

As some people on here may be aware, I'm hoping in the autumn to go and study theoretical physics for a year.

The aim is to go on and do a PhD after that. So I'm going to have to apply for PhD's December 2010/January 2011.

At the moment I feel myself leaning towards wanting to do something with quantum gravity, though obviously this could all change once im on this new course.

Apart from quantum gravity, string theory (which im also interested in) and vacuum energy, are there any other areas of modern theoretical physics that you guys think might be worth a look into?

Cheers in advance, sox

Lots of things are interesting, but when you are working on a PhD the thiing that counts is that you choose an area that is of intense interest to you.

Beyond that one might consider the practical aspects of getting a job afterwards. That can depend on what is "fashionable". Fashions change.

What you will probably find is that, after you have done some serious study, certain areas will appeal to you, and some will not. This will happen quite naturally. Don't fight it.

Just ran across this on another "science" forum. A tad dated, but still:

http://www.desy.de/user/projects/Phy...questions.html