Need advice towards which field of study is more rewarding?

[Psycho]

Hi guys...

I am 18 years old and I am almost done with my school career.
I am going to enroll for a BSc degree(Major in Physics and math) at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University... Its a 3 year course after which i can go and specialise in a specific field of study... I want to know which is best between an PhD in Nuclear Physics or a PhD in AstroPhysics... I dont know any-one localy who as such a degree. I love physics and space, and I do know that both degrees would get me into a career in the space field. I know there are several Phd's on this forum, and I would gladly accept any advice given.

Thank you!

 

[Wishbone]

my own phd has got nothing to do with physics, so I can offer you an unbiased (yet clueless) perspective. Choose the field where you know bright local folks who are doing active top-notch research. Are you planning to stay in SA or will you be going to the States afterwards?

 

[evilfer]

If I may, I can tell you about my experience. I did a PhD on an engineering field that eventually does not really interest me, and even, at some points, I hated it. This is a clear mistake. However, I did my research within an (imho) excellent group, and working with some of the people here has been extremely rewarding.

So, as Wishbone said, also mind the people you will be working with, considering that you will not only learn about a specific topic, but about research methodology as well . (Funding possibility is a relevant factor too, I'd dare to say.)

 

[RisingFury]

You shouldn't ask others about this. You should choose the subject that you like most, because you'll be stuck with it for the rest of your life.

I'm studying astrophysics and that has a deep connection to my interest in space since long ago...

 

[agentgonzo]

Don't worry about choosing a field for a PhD when you're just about to start your undergraduate course. 3 years is a long time and you'll probably find that your choice will change naturally over the next 2-3 years as you learn more about your field and what is on offer. By the time you get to your third year you may have decided that you're sick of academia and don't want to do a PhD afterall or the decision on which field to choose may be obvious.

Don't fret about choosing a PhD now.

 

[Psycho]

Thank you for the advice! Wishbone, I know there are people in iThemba LABS doing accelerator based research, but nothing is keeping me in SA, so when i am done ill probably buy a one-way ticket out of SA... Risingfury, I have been doing alot of research on which field i want to specialise in... and i could honestly say i love both... I just want to get alot of peoples opinion about it... and like i said, i dont know any-one who even understands me when i talk about those fields.:lol:

 

[Wishbone]

Nuke physics is much more practical, but fraught with occupational hazards. It's up to you to choose, but have you gone to any open lectures in the Uni on these subjects?

 

[Psycho]

Yes i did, but thay could not give me any more information that i already know... The uni i am going to specialises in Optics and solar energy... The only uni that specialises in Nuke physics is in Stalenbosch... Thats almost 700km away, and i unfortunately dont have any ways of getting there for a open lecture.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

Keep your eyes open and don't be bull-headed if your "dream" program turns out to have a lot of downsides that you didn't realize beforehand. You'll find the right combination of interesting subject matter and nurturing mentors and colleagues if you do this.

I left high school and signed up for a BS in physics, but switched into mechanical engineering my sophomore year as I felt I liked the applied and hands-on aspects of engineering. I graduated and rolled into an interesting master's project where I took a deep liking to thermodynamics and fluid mechanics and related experimental and computational methods. After I got my masters I went onto a new project in the power industry which led to my PhD. Now I teach engineering.

Mind that very little of this was scripted when I left high school. There were several forks in the road where I had to stop and make a decision. Don't be afraid of this, these are called "options" and they are very good things.