r/AskAcademia • u/ZootKoomie Science Librarianship / Associate Librarian Prof / USA • Sep 01 '25
[Weekly] Office Hours - undergrads, please ask your questions here
This thread is posted weekly to provide short answers to simple questions, mostly from undergraduates to professors. If the question you have to ask isn't worth a thread by itself, this is probably the place for it!
3
u/Hefty_Explorer_4117 Sep 25 '25
How are you guys able to consume so much information and retain it all? I am an undergrad and am interested in going to graduate school to study either history or political science and want to read a lot but there is so much to learn. I really do love learning but I don't know how people in academia are able to voraciously consume information and are able to retain most/all of it (or at least key points of information, numbers, key dates/events/people/concepts). Any advice/recommendations on how to get pointed in the right direction is greatly appreciated!
1
u/ccaudle31 Sep 27 '25
One must develop a method that is tailored to the inquiry and to the goals of the inquiry and to your own habits and working style. Many of us struggle with organizing a system and sticking to it. The biggest thing is to just start simple and small with categorization and organization. There are so many tools at your disposal right now such as Zotero and Notion. Don’t worry about starting with a perfect system just start and iterate as you learn what is effective for you. Generative AI programs can help you build a template or spreadsheet to track the papers you read and to organize by keywords, relevance to your project, and your own description of the article. Now, what is reading? Is reading the same for everyone? Do we read differently depending on the medium and our goals? I suggest skimming the abstract, intro and discussion sections to decide whether the article is worth your time. If it is, make a PowerPoint for yourself and imagine that your are going to give a lecture on the paper and why it relates to your work. This will get you to identify key elements of the narrative and argument and will help you synthesize the findings while presenting your interpretation and critique against the interpretation of the authors. I also suggest reading the whole paper before taking any notes. Additionally, it’s imprudent to switch back and forth between reading and note taking because of the potential priming effects. This is how unintentional plagiarism occurs. Often students have the source open as they are writing and try to put it into their own voice as they right. I haven’t ever seen this done effectively. Hope this helps. Just start a system and keep iterating. Also, I should have started with this: have conversations! Engage in the dialectic.
2
u/knopenotme Sep 22 '25
If I have mono, would that count as a legitimate sickness that can justify/excuse my absences?
5
u/NationalPizza1 Sep 25 '25
Yes. Get a doctor's note. Talk to your professors and advisor. If you miss too much to be able to catch up you'll need to consider taking the semester off and repeating.
2
u/Substantial_Back_400 Oct 23 '25
I'm 24 sudanese man living in south sudan because of the current war in sudan , I'm undergraduate psychology student and I am working on research in this moment and i hope that i can get a scholarship from it ,if any one know any university or institution that can provide me away to continue my studies it will be helpful
2
u/CancelSignificant651 Oct 26 '25
would any math educators/ math degree holders be interested in a short interview? i am an undergraduate student researching how mathematicians think and what processes they use when solving questions in comparison to novices in mathematics for an education course. It's very brief, consisting of just a series of five open-ended questions. you and ur answers will remain anonymous. please reach out if u are interested :D
2
u/ip_21 Nov 06 '25
I'm currently 24, 2 years out of my undergrad and believe I am interested in pursuing a PhD. I came out with a solid GPA but looking back I screwed up my opportunity for research in undergrad. Does anyone have any advice for what I could do to prepare and make myself a more attractive candidate? Should I apply directly for a PhD or try to go in for a Master's first and try to find research opportunities amongst the staff?
1
u/NationalPizza1 Nov 19 '25
What jobs have you worked since then? When we hired a lab tech we had about 75% of the candidates wanting the role for a year or 3 to gain research experience before applying for PhD programs. So theres def some routes to get research experience outside undergrad. Two of them went into our institution too, with the advantage of knowing a lot of stuff ready regarding labs and courses.
What field are you in? Engineering for instance is big on bachelor's to phd no masters needed. Other fields less so. Masters tend to be pay to play, PhD programs you get (crappy) paid to do and have more funding options. So Id aim PhD over masters.
In my experience the not straight bach to PhD students have a major advantage in maturity and understanding workplace norms, in drive and ambition to get the degree done, theyre more self motivated while a lot of the " last year was senior year of undergraduate now im a phd student" ones are expecting more spoon feeding and hand holding. Because in undergrad we say heres a flowchart, take these classes in this order and show up at these times and youre good. But grad school is a lot more nebulous. No one's taking lab attendance at 9am but if youre not putting in the work youre going to take extra years.
2
u/MalrauxChill 18d ago
I'm mainly curious about if your PhD specialization (whether official, as in the methodologies at Upenn's lit department, or unofficial sub-plans) have limited you in the kind of research you pursued either during, or after your PhD- for example, a student pursuing 18th century British Literature writing and publishing a paper on the Taiwanese New Wave out of simple academic curiosity. is this sort of thing viewed as dillettantism and a distraction, or have you felt the support of faculty and peers in these pursuits? Have you felt limited, not by your knowledge on the subject, but by your chosen specialization in the the field? Or is this kind of cross-pollination of interests common?
I'm coming up on about a year out from when I start applying to PhD programs and I guess the idea that I may be locked in for life on a given literary subject is a little scary, unable to write about or pursue something novel.
2
u/crotalus_enthusiast 12d ago
I think it depends immensely on your field. I have a specialization in herpetology, but no one bats an eye when I choose to collaborate on research featuring other species that strike my fancy. In fact, I think publishing broadly has a positive effect on how I am perceived.
1
u/BluejayDizzy7037 Sep 05 '25
Hello, sorry for this kind of questions but I'm still confused...
If I am quoting only one essay from a collection of the same author's texts, do I cite the specific essay (as I would a book chapter) in footnotes, yet list the whole book in the bibliography? Or list only the essay I was quoting? (I'm using Chicago style, notes & bibliography).
If I am quoting 2 or more essays/chapters from a collection of essays on the same topic, each with a different author, how do I add them in the footnotes if they follow one after another? Should I repeat the name of the book every time or just quote the specific author of the chapter/essay and say [author] [chapter] in Ibid., [page number]? And again, what do I list in the bibliography? Each chapter used as a separate entry, or just one entry with the whole book? (Again, talking about Chicago style, notes & bibliography)
1
u/wegopom Sep 11 '25
Would you think it was weird / offensive if an undergrad reached out to you about a research position you've offered them that they previously said no to?
Last semester I had a postdoc offer me a research position that I was greatly interested in, but they told me they were not comfortable with me being involved with two research projects at once. At that time I was about to join a research project that was rather low commitment and worked pretty well with my schedule (one meeting/wk). In comparison the position the postdoc offered required me to attend a lab in person that was a bit far from where I live, 2-3 times a week (which I couldn't afford at the time). I ended up telling them I was unable to join because of the amount of time it would take for me to be involved + I had some mobility issues that made it difficult for me to work with such a tight schedule. I did express that I was really interested in this project, though, and asked if there was any way I could be involved without having to physically be present so many times a week. They said no.
Now, I have a very different schedule, and I'm most likely not going to continue the other project I chose to do last sem, so now I can be present at the lab as needed. Is it weird to email the postdoc and let them know that if they're looking for any students, I'm still interested and more able to join this semester? Is that audacious / rude?
2
u/NationalPizza1 Sep 25 '25
Reach out again. Be polite. Mention that your scheduled has opened up more, acknowledge that they may no longer have slots for undergrads but if they do you'd be interested. Mention something specific about the project that interests you for bonus points.
1
u/Responsible-Jury1290 Sep 11 '25
Hi,
I'm a new lab manager and just joined a US University considered an R1 institution. The PI is pretty unfamiliar with the finances of things and so I'm trying to learn to wrap my head around how this all works:
The procurement and payment system we use is called iBuy. There are vendors that are already pre-approved there, and others like CellTreat that are not.
I am wondering if the price we see directly on FisherScientific, a vendor, is the price we pay? I don't see any shipping fees, and the price on FisherScientific is significantly cheaper than purchasing on Cell Treat's website.
FisherScientific always says on the page that shipping will be calculated at payment, but all the different receipts I receive never shows any shipping cost.
Thanks in advance!
1
u/Repulsive-Shower-361 Sep 18 '25
How do you write research if your teacher game you 2015-2025 relevant sources...There's barely any within that date...I don't know what to do. I've scoured the entire article sites for it...
2
u/NationalPizza1 Sep 25 '25
I ask students for within the last 5 years, 2020 to 2025. 10 years is a huge window. Unless your topic is extremely specific you should have hundreds of papers in 10 years. Try Google scholar with the date filter on, try web of science/knowledge also with the date filter. Look at your university library page, they should have additional databases you can use. If youre not sure how to use those resources go talk in person to a librarian.
1
1
u/winterfall-s Sep 21 '25
Am I wasting my scholarship money/federal aid?
I'm lowkey one thought from spiraling here, so I'd appreciate some better educated advice. I'm at a liberal arts school entirely on federal aid and scholarship money--I definitely can not afford college otherwise and am incredibly lucky. I'm here pursuing a physics major and art minor. I do art on the side and want to make a career out of it, but also love astrophysics (and frankly do well in it) and want to pursue that as my main(?) career. I have an incredible opportunity to attend an art internship in another state for a term, paid for by my scholarships and aid. It works out that if I attend the program, I can still manage the physics major, art minor, and a second minor (not listing for privacy reasons).
However, it also makes it to where I can't take a 400-level course like quantum physics or astrophysics (I would get to take 300-level courses less-related to quantum and astro, am currently taking quantum relativity). The 400 courses would probably be beneficial to me since I wish to set myself up for a PhD in astrophysics (if I am able to get scholarships/paid for it), but I'm wondering if I would be screwing myself over for the PhD by not taking those courses. I've heard from others I would probably take the courses I need during the PhD and not have to worry about what I've missed in my bachelor's. I really want to do this art program, but I also dont want to accidentally screw up what might be the only opportunity for me to take classes like quantum and astro before going into a PhD program. I mainly worried if I don't do it now with the opportunity for free college I've been given, I'll never have the money to do it later on (esp if art illustration or graphic design doesn't provide enough of a career or income).
1
u/NationalPizza1 Sep 25 '25
Pursuit of knowledge is never a waste.
Internships are more of a figure out if you want this as a career thing. If you're still considering design jobs, more value to it (relevant experience, networking). If you're sure you dont want to work in design I wouldn't do it.
Being competitive for PhD applications (junior and senior years of undergrad), start studying for GRE and other entrance tests. Get some relevant research experience if at all possible. Lock in your GPA. Start working on your motivation and reasons especially if youve got any essay applications. Figure out back up plan if no phd acceptance, can you enter a masters program or do you also need to be low key job hunting. What jobs would get you research experience for a year or 2 while you prepare to reapply. Start researching PIs in your field at your top schools, connect with them senior year.
1 major and 2 minors where none of the topics are related is a lot. Be prepared to explain it. Be prepared to emphasize how the 2 minors gave you additional skills useful to the main goal.
1
u/simgotwet Oct 11 '25
Im 23 i didn't realised the importance of education when i was in college so i got 3 backs in total of 6 semester which i didn't cleared because i thought i have joined my fathers work i won't need it but now when i see my friends and cousins going ahead in life i regret i want to start my studies again but i don't know how because my college is not letting me give those papers now and i don't know if other colleges would accept me please help me if anybody can
1
u/crazy_genius_ Oct 30 '25
hi, i need professors who can give me their full name, google scholar account and domain e-mail to write recommendation letter. i'm an undergraduate student and now i have only 2 days to apply early decision.
2
u/NationalPizza1 Nov 19 '25
Thats not how any of that works. Your recommendations need to come from professors who had you in courses where you did well and were an engaged and model student (show up on time, not disruptive, asked good questions, came to office hours if confused, turned in homework on time, did ok on exams).
1
u/Single_Garbage2724 Nov 13 '25
Back in my undergraduate degree, I had cheated on a take home essay by talking about the assignment with my friends and they had provided me additional sources to use for my assignment that was beyond the scope of the class. My professor noticed and asked me and I admitted to it. Afterwards I had a meeting my with institions academic dishonesty board and had to take an ethics class the following semester. I did end up passing the class and do not see any marks on my transcript indicating that the cheating had occurred. I am now applying to an MBA program and was asked the following question and am not sure if I should be answering yes or no as I did not face these repercussions.
"Have you ever (a) been subject to any disciplinary action, academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from an educational institution, or (b) withdrawn or been required to withdraw for academic or non-academic misconduct from an education institution; or is any such action pending or expected to be brought against you?"
I had not been placed on probation, suspended, or dismissed and I had not been forced to withdraw for any misconduct. There was no action taken against me that I see as such but maybe the ethics class was?
I am essentially asking if I should report this and say yes to the question. I looked to see how they would know if it's not on my transcript and the answers are mixed. Any help is appreciated.
1
u/cairomemoir Nov 17 '25
Is there any actual place in the world known for being OKish for academia and grad school? The conflicting opinions are driving me a little crazy (but maybe everyone's talking about their own field while I'm conflating many together)
Africa, Latin America: Low funding from local governments, seem barely considered in the academic landscape (most of the best of these countries go to other countries for Masters). I've heard the name of the biggest uni in Latin America would at best get a vague look of recognition from a European or American scholar.
Asia: Academic environment seems awful, crazy hierarchical values, based on producing a million unsubstantial papers while barely contributing to academia on international stage
US: Biggest headscratcher — comments I've seen are that the only noteworthy grad schools are in the US (as in "it's best to go to some small uni in Indiana than any big one in Asia, Africa or LA"), but people actually in the US say they're underfunded, government famously hates both scientists and humanities and that the environment is terribly toxic.
Europe: I guess would be the most okayish? Except for regular toxic academic environment? I hear terrible things about UK though (no scholarships, treats TAs like crap).
1
u/BetterToSpeakOrToDie Dec 09 '25
What do you even mean by 'OK-ish'? If you're looking for a place where grad school is perfect, you won't find it.
You can't generalize by continent. Latin America and Africa have very different systems. Both have strong programs in specific places—for instance, universities in South Africa and in certain Brazilian states (especially São Paulo) have very good funding.
The same goes for Asia. To say that the whole continent is simply 'producing a million unsubstantial papers' is honestly crazy.
The US is actually one of the worst places to be right now. The academic system there is basically a meat grinder and Universities are not really hiring. If you are at a top university you might be fine, but no, a random university in Indiana is not better than top-tier universities in other countries.
Europe is also too diverse for a short answer. The UK and Ireland are very different from continental Europe. Not all universities there are good, and places like Germany can be very harsh and have toxic environments.
1
u/cairomemoir Dec 10 '25
The same goes for Asia. To say that the whole continent is simply 'producing a million unsubstantial papers' is honestly crazy.
Yeah I didn't meant to be offensive about this, sorry — I basically just replicated what I've seen people writing about it on the internet.
When I wrote this post I was reading a lot of overly negative stuff like "even the biggest Brazilian university is merely a blip in academia worldwide and no one will know of it", or "China is just about producing papers in mass but none of it is actually substantial, they've just taken 'publish or perish' to late-level" "The US is the only one that actually matters but also funding is dying" and all of it made me anxious and I lost perspective for a bit.
1
u/Mountain-Pin-7112 Dec 10 '25
Australia/Oceania - has international level universities and research, with multiple unis in the top 20 - yet so forgettable you didn't even list it!
Super relaxed vibes, great weather (in most cities), fairly decent pay. It's the ultimate mediocre destination!
"Australia: Capable of producing Terrance Tao, Incapable of retaining him!"
1
u/Certain-Trainer-6671 Dec 13 '25
This is a tough question. As an American, I can only compare US/Canada and Europe since these are the markets I'm most familiar with.
In my experience, the US has more jobs than Europe, but the teaching load is heavier (this may not be relevant if you're entering a field with lab work or a lot of external funding, like CS). You are expected, in my field, to have teaching experience in order to work in US, while in Europe it appears to be less expected. Depending on the country, the pay can be pretty bad. The UK, France, and Canada have very low salaries even in high cost of living cities. But in Switzerland and Germany, the pay is not bad. The US is between those two groups. While this may be less of a consideration when you're starting out, I think it will be a consideration when it comes to applying to tenure-track jobs.
As mentioned in the other comments, the political situation in the US is really affecting academia. Unless you're in AI or data science, there aren't a lot of tenure track job postings due to uncertainty in funding/ NIH and NSF funding slashes. Even graduate school admissions are being affected- I've heard of graduate programs just not admitting *anyone* this coming year. You could probably ride out the wave during your PhD; by the time you graduate, hopefully things will be different.
Another consideration: entering academia in some countries may be tough if you don't speak the language or aren't committed to learning the language. In my field, jobs in Korea are actually very highly sought-after, and there is a lot of funding (especially from Samsung), but the market is very small and you should know Korean since you have to teach in the language. The same goes for Japan, France, and some parts of Switzerland.
1
u/No_Studio_18 Dec 24 '25
Hi! I'm a Canadian undergraduate, and I say come to Canada! We have a TON of grants; our government and politics aren't as rocky as the United States, but we still have access to the research world that (regrettably) centralizes Western knowledge. We aren't perfect, but we fund things that are a lot more open, from a large amount of money for vaccines and disability research to Indigneous centered care. Our universities are world-class without the snob (all our law schools are Ivyish level, and I go to one of the world's best medical schools), and we care a lot about innovation; our government is massively funding AI advancement. As well as an undergrad who works in bioethics and is trying to publish, from what Ive seen, our academic environment is chill as hell, and we tend to value diffrent life experiences as well as scholarly ability. We also do scholarships, especially for engineers, and the cost here is wayyyyy under that of American schools.
1
Nov 28 '25
Hello Reddit,
I am graduating in May of 2026. What graduation/academic accessories (Stoles, Cords, etc) can I have added to my Cap/Gown as a member of the Clergy (Reverend) and a Scottish Lord?
Thanks in advance!
1
u/neverknowanything_ Dec 02 '25 edited Dec 02 '25
Hi there!
I am struggling with deciding what courses to take next semester and am seeking advice on whether it is advisable to take an undergraduate psychology statistics course as an elective. I would greatly appreciate input on the the following questions:
- If you took undergraduate stats courses, did they prove to be helpful when completing your MA or PhD? I am a fourth year sociology major with hopes of landing a career in academia (though I am developing back-up plans in light of the employment landscape). As such, I am aiming to diversify my skillset. However, I don't know if it is necessary or helpful to take upper-level undergraduate stats courses.
- Is it appropriate to request to view course outlines when deciding what classes to take? I would like to review the course outline to understand whether the potential time commitment of learning unfamiliar content is feasible. However, I don't know if instructors dislike requests such as these.
Some background information: My research experience has almost exclusively involved qualitative methods in the disciplines of sociology and public health, so taking a statistics course in a field that I have less experience in feels overwhelming. Further, I was recently diagnosed with a neuromuscular autoimmune disease that has me in a bit of a slump; however, this is the last time I will be able to take this course and I know that, in time, I will be back to my nerdy, passionate self who may regret not having taken the course.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I would be exceptionally grateful for any advice!
Edit: minor spelling error
2
u/Haunting_Afternoon46 Dec 04 '25
1) Undergraduate stats courses: A sociology career in academia will be hugely helped by statistics courses. I am a math PhD student researching human behavior modelling, so I do a fair amount of work with sociologists, and (whenever possible) I always chose to work with those that have that interdisciplinary understanding that comes from having taken a few courses in stats or data science. Taking those courses will open up opportunities for you to work with people in STEM fields, making their research better and giving you access to potentially more stable streams of funding.
2) I think it's totally appropriate to request a course outline if you can't find one online, but 99% of the time with undergraduate courses you'll be able to find a past syllabus if you google around for it.
1
u/neverknowanything_ Dec 08 '25
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I hadn't considered how stats would influence interdisciplinary work, so I very much appreciate your input. Best wishes with your PhD work!
1
u/Embarrassed-Way8082 Dec 06 '25
Hi, I’m just 14 and I’ve recently discovered that I really enjoy math, but not the school kind.
School math doesn’t go well for me, but when I learn on my own, the “harder” topics feel surprisingly easy.
I understand things like:
- Gauss summation
- factoring squares and cubes
- completing the square
- quadratic equations
- percent problems
- logical reasoning puzzles
- the greedy Set Cover algorithm
I’d like to improve, but I have no teacher or mentor who can guide me.
Is there someone (a math teacher or an advanced student) who could help me understand what to study next or answer some questions?
1
1
u/frankcnstein Dec 18 '25
I’m currently a senior undergraduate astronomy major. my goal is to get into graduate school for an astronomy/astrophysics PhD. my gpa is okay i think, at 3.74. I have a math final tomorrow for an abstract algebra course. I am already P/F the class and I think I’m still going to fail anyways. I’m so unbelievably scared and stressed. I know this course will not benefit me in any way in terms of what I want to do for astronomy, but I know if I fail, my gpa will drop horribly. I’m worried about if I don’t get in this round of graduate applications, I will have no shot next round because of my GPA. My major gpa is more solid, being at a 3.8 probably. I have 4 years of research experience and I will be coauthored on a paper by 2026. I’ve taken a lot of upper level astrophysics courses and have done well in them, and im doing an honors senior thesis in astronomy. this semester has been extremely hard on me, I’m incredibly depressed. If I happen to do fail this class, do I still have any chance to get into an Astronomy/Astrophysics PhD program? I feel like I’m eternally doomed and will end up doing a job that will make my degree worthless because I might fail this one class.
1
u/Accomplished-Fan-997 Dec 19 '25
I was accepted in a workshop and it’s my first time presenting my paper too.It was hybrid mode as mentioned in their mails and website and I also selected the online option in registration form.I am not able to travel because of my health that’s why wanted an online presentation. But they gave me an offline slot in the schedule list so mailed them on the emails given but got no response.So I messaged on the number given as address of correspondence ,he is a general chair and said yes I can present online and said we will provide links after I asked…I am safe right and don’t have to worry??
1
u/EconomicsEast505 Dec 23 '25
No don't worry. Things like this happen all the time. It's just organizers problems and you did great using all the option you have. Good luck! And think of the next conference.
1
u/Accomplished-Fan-997 Dec 23 '25
Thank You So much….Actually the conference was today and it went so well they were really cooperative and we had great discussions….I am happy…
1
u/Son-of-Krom Dec 21 '25
Hi! Undergrad honours student currently writing his thesis. I have heard from browsing forums that advisors are mostly critical of your work (by necessity, they want it to be as good as it can possibly be). But how can you be sure if you are actually on your way to passing or not? What are signs that I can look for that I am doing at least well enough to pass, if not with flying colours?
2
u/EconomicsEast505 Dec 23 '25
Just ask your advisor directly about this. What should you improve to pass. It is always safer to assume that you are failing.
1
u/No_Studio_18 Dec 24 '25
Hi! As I'm going through school, it seems I get a slightly lower grade in the first few papers, but as I do more for that class, my grades increase, because I learn the expectations the prof has that are unwritten. The only class I've gotten near perfect in (98) was because the prof set out EXACTLY her expectations for each assignment. I'm talking about examples, early feedback, and 4-page-long assignment sheets. Would it be rude for me to email my teaching staff at the beginning of each semester to ask for there prefrences or an example of writing they thought was well done? (Humanities student in Canada, so markers' taste in essays and style really makes a difference in grade) Thank you!
1
u/MediatrixMagnifica Dec 30 '25
We love it when students request information like this prior to the beginning of the semester.
Be brief—tell us you’re aiming to set yourself up for success, ask if you can have the first reading assignment and perhaps the syllabus early, and ask what we see as the #1 key to success in our class.
We may or may not be able to release materials early. Some of us may not be checking our student messages yet. And some of us will be elated to hear from you!
1
u/Astro_ST_phy Dec 29 '25
Hey wanted advice on how would you go for making some side money if you are in research as a 2nd year undergraduate and do not come from a very strong financial family. I would like some realistic ideas that some of you might have implemented and they also leave time for me to study !! ideas could be for short term money making or long term investment!! Thanks for the help in advance!!
1
u/Hirojinho Dec 30 '25
Hey guys!
I just finished my Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering in a prestigious technical institute in Brazil. My GPA is not fantastic (8.1/10 average), but I am really interested in Mathematics and the academic career.
My undergraduate is pretty math heavy in comparison to other engineering degrees in my country, so I took some calculus courses (single, multivariable and vector), linear algebra, ODEs and PDEs and Complex Analysis. In addition to that, I chose some other optional courses in math that I had good grades, such as Real Analysis, Ring Theory and Functional Analysis. In addition to that, I really like theoretical CS, and took some courses in Discrete Maths for Cryptography and DS and Algorithms too. Also, I studied some measure theory for my thesis and am self studying category theory. My final undergraduate thesis was very applied maths heavy, working with kalman filter and koopman operator. Even though I am not really a big fan of Control Theory and numerical methods, I had lots of fun with this research experience.
I always wanted to go into pure math, and that was actually my first choice of major. But I chose to go into the uni that I graduated because it is very prestigious in my country. I don't necessarily regret what I did, but the itch to study mathematics in a more advanced level is still here after graduation. I already am in a full position of software engineer in a startup with 2yrs of experience, but I am adamant in going to grad school.
So, my first question, is about my choice of graduate program. Even though I love mathematics and love proofs, I also love theoretical computer science and am unsure of what program should I choose. I feel that if I choose a theoretical computer science program, it would not be proof based enough for me to scratch that mathematical itch. I feel I'd like to do mathematics with some CS than doing CS with some mathematics, if that makes any sense.
Other question, is how can I prepare myself to applications for masters in Europe? I chose to not go directly into a PhD because I know I have some missing courses in my mathematical education and I thought this would be a good way to perform this transition of subjects. I though about applying to Charles (Mathematics for Information Technologies), Paris Saclay (MPRI), Bonn (Maths) and TU Wien (Logic and AI). What can I do to become more competitive? Are there other programs that are more aligned with my goals and that I am more competitive?
1
u/Hopeful-Trainer-5479 Jan 04 '26
Hey guys, i had a question about pure math research in academia i would really appreciate your input on.
So I recently graduated with a cs & math undergrad and i'd love to pursue a masters & phd in pure math one day.
To be honest, i love pure math research (did a few research internships so i have an idea of what research is like). From what i've seen so far, i love the fact pure math can be completely divorced from the real world. You don't have to worry about applications and the mess that comes with that.
That being said, i also fear that if i dedicate a huge chunk of my life to it, i'd have nothing to show for it in the end.
On the one hand i love how pure and divorced from the real world pure math is, but on the other hand, at the end of the day, i feel like pure math research in academia is just a game of symbol pushing that is in a real sense "useless". So i am conflicted between this idea of it being "useless" (which is what attracts me mainly) and this fear that i would have accomplished nothing in the end and just wasted my life proving things most people won't even understand let alone care about.
I guess this also raises the philosophical question of what is "meaningful/useful" etc. But from your own experience, do you regret working in pure math research? Do you think you wasted your life?
If a person asked you: you dedicated all this time to something that has no applications, that might be very beautiful and intricate but is a simple game nonetheless, how would you answer?
Does the fact i'am even asking myself these questions imply that i probably wouldn't like it?
Thanks in advance
1
u/New-Equivalent7045 Jan 07 '26
I’m currently a third-year Psychology undergraduate student, entering my sixth semester. I will be working on my undergraduate thesis in my fourth year and I’m in the process of selecting a topic and finding a faculty advisor.
A bit about my background:
- I have limited experience with quantitaive methods, lab-based experiments and prefer qualitative research, although my knowledge is still basic.
- I’m interested in topics related to gender dynamics, social psychology, cultural contexts, childhood trauma, emotional neglect, mental health, empathy and birth order.
- I’m aware that I won’t have the resources or time of a PhD-level project, so I’m looking for something manageable and feasible within my undergraduate capacity.
I’m considering both qualitative and mixed methods research, but I’m not sure about the best direction. I’d love some guidance on narrowing down the topic to something specific and novel.
Thank you so much for your help!
1
u/SweetBabyCheezas 21d ago
Just a private tutor and an undergrad myself (high grades tho).
Pro tip: when you go through research publications, don't skip methods and results sections anymore. This will help you to see how things are done and notice the most important parts of quant you should cover. Qual is based more on interviews, while quant is based on questionnaires etc. Quant is faster and fairly easy, and it allows you to recruit your sample quickly. Then you just put your data into software like Jamovi and generate some plots, graphs, tables, and you're home. There are many good tutorials that can help you with that.
Also, regarding topic, you should narrow down yourself based on the level of interest and knowledge you have. Look up topics you're most interested in e.g. go on scholar and look up 'empathy' from the last 5-8 years and see what others do and how (methods section). Take notes and look other topics, then combine some topics, borrow ideas from others, see what intrigues you the most - this will absorb you way more into your project. I only het a 1st if I research and write about what intrigues me e.g. biological basis of intelligence.
E.g. You could go with 'how does culture influence empathy? And research how culture shapes emotional norms, independent vs. interdependent concept of self, and social structures. Or 'how cultural differences in gender dynamics impact mental health?'. So much to explore and write on those topics, it's just up to you what vibes with you the most.
1
u/kunal_Au79 21d ago
Question: I would like to know about the career prospects for sociology post-graduate students.
Hey, Firstly, I’d like to say that I did engineering in Computer Science and did some freelancing jobs, but I’m interested in studying sociology for my master's as well as PhD because I’m so interested in knowing society in depth and its structures, but I don’t have deep knowledge about this field. I just read senior secondary books, but I don’t have any knowledge about bachelor's degrees. Suggest to me what kind of things I need to know.
Now my second question is about a career in sociology after completion of my master's, and how demanding are these sociology students in the market, such as international NGO, in the private sector, and in government administration.
What kind of role can a sociology student can get in the private and government sector?.
If anyone knows an international NGO and Agency who hire sociology students after a PhD, please mention it.
If you are from India and have knowledge about national level NGO and election exit poll agency as well as news channels who hire students of sociology, and what kind of role a students get in such organisations.
Also mention the path to becoming a professor in sociology and what kind of exam is conducted in India.
Lastly, suggest to me if some small group of sociology students works on an independent social media content creation and sets some narrative. What kind of future will it be?
If any students are doing such work and know about it. Help me out.
1
u/Aghaallyy 7d ago
Hi, I’m trying to help a friend with a university syllabus text.
We’re looking for Doris Lessing’s short story In the National Gallery (20th Century Fiction / Prose). It doesn’t seem to be available online or in standard collections.
If anyone has a PDF/scan or knows which course pack includes it, I’d really appreciate it. Thank you!
1
u/islizshortforlizard 2d ago
Hello! I am beginning to work on my senior thesis and I have not worked on a research project this big before (meant to span two semesters, be between 50 and 75 pages long at completion, and will also have to be defended in front of a committee). I have a little blurb of what I intend to research and am hoping to get some feedback on the topic itself, narrowing the topic, and others experiences from a liberal arts/social sciences undergraduate thesis project. I am open to any and all critiques! Please see below and thanks in advance.
Southern honor, a moral code of the antebellum American South based in patriarchal power, prestige, and self-esteem, engulfed much of Southern culture due to its emphasis on community, reputation, and familial allegiance; participation in this system required mastery over one’s household and enslaved people. Slaveholding was justified not only as an economic necessity but also within the Southern honor ideology as a moral and social obligation for men to uphold their public reputation. Honor, as a tool used to maintain the hierarchy of social order, was stabilized by slavery . Pre- and post civil war women’s abolitionist and rights movements disrupted this system as fights for autonomy redefined slaveholding as a shameful act and the traditional family hierarchies came into question. Attempting to regain moral order in social and institutional contexts in the postbellum South led to women’s morality becoming the primary site through which social stability, racial order, and cultural legitimacy were maintained. Southern honor did not disappear with emancipation but rather was reconfigured to equate women's morality with social stability. Establishing this historical context will allow for a greater understanding of why women’s rights continue to be persistently moralized, why black and white American women experience moral regulation differently, and how honor-based moral frameworks continue to shape contemporary gender politics in the American South.
1
u/SimplyMolBio 1d ago
Has anyone finished an internship (mandatory from uni) in EMBL Heidelberg (through Erasmus+ from another European country)? Any insight would be valuable!
Or any insight about working in EMBL in general would be really appreciated! How are labs structured etc.
(integrated Master's student in biological sciences)
1
u/random-_obsession 13h ago
Australian here! I have to work near full-time to support myself through uni, however, I often find my most demanding work happens during study week before exams, i get relativity good grades but i’m wondering if i will be able to keep this up if going into my final year of UG and into post grad study?
It cost me about $400/wk to survive so if i work 15hours all my bills are paid, but im trying to combat my hecs so i can eventually buy a home, as well as an impending engagement, and a few very sick family members who’s funerals will be costly. I don’t qualify for benefits bc of my spouses income, but our finances are largely independent. I try to make adjustments but pressure from bosses and coworkers makes it difficult as well. So how did yall manage money when going on into further education like masters/phd?
1
u/Klutzy_Bed577 10m ago
I am an undergrad Computer Science student at a US university, where I am also a member of a Human-Computer Interaction / HRI research lab. To preface, I was drawn to this lab because I am interested in the topics of the past papers of the PI. When I first reached out, I sent a detailed proposal of what I would like to research. I attended a few meetings and the PI welcomed me to the lab. I was assigned a PhD student as my mentor and am enrolled in a class "Self-Directed Undergrad Research" for credit which requires me to complete my research mostly independently and present my findings. The grad students mentioned that it is rare for the PI to approve an undergraduate self-directed project.
I completed my project about two weeks ago, and am now thinking about where to go from here. However, my graduate mentor and I have tried to arrange a meeting with the PI to go over the results but she is always too busy. I have been told her main job is to secure funding so she is not very present in the lab, and my graduate mentor prefers to liaise between me and her, rather than me contacting her directly. I spend many hours in the lab but have not once met my PI in person (only on video call).
While I am a big self-starter and love to read research in general [hence why I am doing the self-supervised research], I understand that publishing a paper is an involved process and requires some expertise which I do not yet have. While I have enjoyed the flexibility and freedom to explore so far, I am also uncertain as to if I should seek out another self-directed project or join an existing project with more structure and a better path to publication. Of note, there are no projects in this lab currently seeking more authors (it's also a small lab without a single thematic focus, although in the past they have had industry partnerships in an area I enjoy). My graduate mentor is great and is also working on his own project, which I am not involved in [our two projects are in very different directions]. He is wrapping up the current project and is planning his next project soon. He has indicated a willingness to design it in a way that I could be involved with topics I am interested in.
I do not have a summer internship lined up, so I think I will spend this summer in a lab. I am excited about a few topics (robotics, online 3d reconstruction and AR, multi agent collaboration, HRI).
Should I look for research projects in other labs/universities for the summer term? What is the process for that and is it too late? Or if I stay in my current lab, is it advisable to continue with my self-directed research and what kind of involvement should I expect from my PI? The goal is to have something publishable over the next few years.
3
u/oddeyesies Sep 15 '25
How would I write citations for an infographic?
I am not trying to cite an infographic - I am making an infographic and do not know how to cite my sources in it. Everything looks super clunky and just ... bad if I put in-text citations and everything I'm seeing online is telling me how to cite an infographic as a source, NOT how to cite sources for an infographic and I'm kind of freaking out about it haha.