How does he see himself?

MAR 01, 1969

Despite the usual grumbles about their courses and exams, the increasing length of the PhD course and poor student–faculty relations at some schools, most physics graduate students appear to be reasonably content with their lot.

DOI: 10.1063/1.3035457

Physics Today

WE START THIS STUDY of the graduate student, logically enough, with his own view of himself. Eight graduate students, representing schools from New Mexico to Cornell, tell us of their hopes and frustrations, their exams and research, their attitudes to national politics and campus administration. We learn of their motivation to physics and the reasons for their choice of a graduate school. In one case the wife of a contributor adds a comment of her own.

This article is only available in PDF format

Physics Today is looking for a Senior Editor. Apply Now.

Related content

Features

Article

Black holes aren’t black

A half century after the discovery of Hawking radiation, we are still dealing with the quantum puzzle it exposed.

March 26, 2026 12:23 PM

Features

Article

How the twist of a molecule affects electron spin

Since the discovery was first reported in 1999, researchers have uncovered many aspects of the chiral-induced spin selectivity effect, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

March 11, 2026 09:55 AM

Features

Article

Quantum-based standards for pressure measurements

Metrologists are using fundamental physics to define units of measure. Now NIST has developed new quantum sensors to measure and realize the pascal.

March 06, 2026 03:02 PM

Features

Article

Magnetic skyrmions: A new frontier for quantum computing

Nanoscale, topologically protected whirlpools of spins have the potential to move from applications in spintronics into quantum science.

February 11, 2026 03:04 PM

This Content Appeared In