All the SFN science forums http://www.scienceforums.net/index.php Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:17:03 +0000 15 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/64012-poor-science-education-standards/
Have science education standards sunk so low that people cannot even get rudimentary scientific facts right??????]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:17:03 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/64012-poor-science-education-standards/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/64009-applied-chemistry/ I am interested in doing the Bsc in applied chemistry after finishing my BTEC Extended Diploma in applied science next year.
i would like to know if with Bsc in applied chemistry, I could work in the Life Sciences Research field.
A reply would be appreciated
thanks !]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:41:00 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/64009-applied-chemistry/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63981-emergency-learning-source-and-technique/ k, I'm trying to archieve good result so that I can get scholarship to continue my studies for A-level(which considered to be expensive here)

rather than going for STPM(A-level equivalent) with less than 10% cost, but "General Paper" is compulsory in exam,
I hate being forced to learn anymore, enough at SPM already(5 subject compulsory) but on my current condition now,
time is very demanding, (should not waste my time anymore T_T) so, yeah, need learning source other than Khan Academy ,
that effective to learn chemistry and physic. or maybe there some tip on how to study and archieved mastery in a fast way?

what I know, in SPM, the math is proficiency based (rather than logical skill based), I mean, the time is too short, rather than a question about real-life(word problem, etc...)
if you not remember formula = you're doomed!, bad news for me, talking about my bad memories brains... x(

in physic, logical thinking demand more though so there are memory based question,(talking about remembering definition, lol, unlikely for anyone remembering definition can proceed anything to understand the definition itself)

and I got some sort of bad teacher in chemistry, rather than teaching us on how to form the equation of any reaction on some sort, he told us to remembered it, lol, (I MEAN EACH EQUATION )

and btw, I'm self-studying C++ currently, should I leave to concentrate my study on these subject? I just spent 2 hours daily on it so that I'm not forgot it at all, I hear some say that it's good for mathematician / physicist to learn at least one programming language... what do you think?]]> Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:10:39 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63981-emergency-learning-source-and-technique/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63976-management-sector-scope-in-microbiology/ hii i am malini, doing m.sc microbiology and i am interested in management sector related to microbiology,biotechnology,agriculture, healthcare and pharmaceuticals. please suggest what can i do after completing M.sc in microbiology. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:59:52 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63976-management-sector-scope-in-microbiology/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63956-calculator-opinion/ I am an Electrical engineering student, and now i need a new calculator because my current one is quite old and inefficient. I need it for subjects math, physics and electrical engineering.
On my university calculators aren't allowed on some exams, and on some are there is no restriction for specific model of calculator ...
I am currently 1st year , and i'd like to be able to use this calculator for quite some time.
So what are your experiences and opinions ?]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:26:15 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63956-calculator-opinion/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63907-order-of-learning-in-math/
Thus, I can study(for fun) math. I don't know which order should I start, I mean looking in math playlist on Khan Academy...

There:-
- Arithmetic (mastered)
- Developmental math
- Pre-algebra(currently here)
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Probability
- Statistics
- Pre-Calculus
- Calculus
- Differential Equations
- Linear Algebra
- Vi Hart

hope anyone can give right order for this, I mean of course the playlist before needed for the next playlist... etc..

p.s. study this because seems to be most of the lesson it give help a lot in exam syllabus too...
even over the syllabus, it can give so much understanding and most importantly it is fun... ]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:50:43 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63907-order-of-learning-in-math/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63867-the-secret-of-73/
For this trick, secretly write 73 on a piece of paper, fold it up, and give to an unsuspecting friend.

• Now have your friend select a four-digit number whatever (say, 3125) and enter it twice into a calculator. (31253125)
• Announce that the number is divisible by 137 and have him verify it on his calculator.
• Next, announce that he can now divide by his original four-digit number. After he has done so, dramatically command him to look at your prediction on the paper. It will match his calculator display: 73!

Want to know the simple math behind this "TRICK"?]]> Sun, 05 Feb 2012 09:48:59 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63867-the-secret-of-73/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63704-self-teaching-physics/
I want/need to learn more about modern physics. Until recently I was planning on studying this in college. My parents, however, that this is a stupid ambition...stupid enough for them not to fund my education in that feild. I am, however, allowed to study biology and chemistry, since then i'll have the potential to make money in pharmaceuticals. I'm happy enough to do that, but I still want an education in physics. I love thinking about, and the fundemental nature of the subject appeals to me. My only option, therefor, is to teach myself.

so can anyone who's been in my situation recommend any books/online courses for me? my education in math is up to calculus, and I've only taken one year of physics which taught us up to light, and included the basic equations. Still, admittably I find completely abstract/unaplied math hard to follow, so a book that is conceptual and eases me in to the more "hard-core" math would be perfect.

thanks in advance for the help.]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:58:54 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63704-self-teaching-physics/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63698-anyone-has-been-to-the-max-planck-institute-of-neroscience/
I am applying for PhD positions in the field of cognitive neuroscience. I have applied for the program offered by the Max Planck Institute of Neuroscience (located in Leipzig). I would like to know if any of you have ever been there, your opinions about the center and the quality of the program.

I'm also applying to join the PhD program at the Neuroscience Center of Zurich.

I'm checking everything a I can (like publications, lines of investigation an so on), but I would like to know how it is doing the programs and living in those cities.

I would appreciate if any of you could help me with this. I'm finding so hard to make a choice... and I want to make it right!!

Thank you very much!!

]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:55:57 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63698-anyone-has-been-to-the-max-planck-institute-of-neroscience/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63399-nonresponding-profs/
The problem is I email profs and I get no response over and over again. Yeah they're busy, but when I was still in the research scene that was never an excuse for me and I'd get raked over the coals for even appearing to take to long to reply, plus the professors back then got back to me.

I sent to the account of a student friend and they got the message so it doesn't appear to be in the spam folder. I dunno, I keep hearing about how academics are hard up for money but it sure seems like everybody is wildly successful if they can't even be bothered to type 'sorry no' to me.

Any suggestions?]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:39:58 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63399-nonresponding-profs/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63325-need-some-good-chemistry-and-physics-learning-sources/ Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:44:51 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63325-need-some-good-chemistry-and-physics-learning-sources/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63270-graduate-schools/ I was wondering if anyone knew of some good freshwater ecology graduate programs. Or where I could find that information. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:43:32 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63270-graduate-schools/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63266-graduate-program-mathematical-biology-mathematical-computational-neurosciences/
Ι am a student at the third year in the Department of Mathematics at University of Crete.!!!

I want to continue my studies with a master and Ph.D in Mathematical Biology or Computational/ Mathematical Neurosciences.
I want to tell me, if you know, about the graduate programs in this area of Mathematics.

What are the requirements of the entrance in these programs (GRE test, IELTS test ext.).

I am sorry if I don't write very well English, but I try...!!!

Thanks a lot about your answers.!!!!

Kostas from Crete.]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:24:23 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/63266-graduate-program-mathematical-biology-mathematical-computational-neurosciences/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62930-astronomy-vs-astrophysics/
What I noticed, however, is that schools offer two types of degrees in general: Astronomy and Astrophysics.

It seems to me that astrophysics is "categorized" under "Physics" while astronomy is its own category. When I asked some professors about the difference, it struck me that the answer depends on their orientation. Physicists tended to lower the value of the astronomy degree(s) and astronomers told me the difference is mostly about concentration.

I can't believe astronomy is "simply" "collecting data". I know astronomers that do more than that.
On the other hand, I can't believe the division is about "theoretical" and "experimental" since I saw a few graduate degrees that offer experimental astrophysics and others that have theoretical astronomy. The division, then, is different.

Quite a lot of sites also divide them up either by departments ("Astronomy" and "Physics" are different departments, and astrophysics is under physics) or by categories. "Physics and Astronomy" sounded to me as repetitive at first, but apparently it's not....

So... what's the difference?

How do I know which program to look for? Do I really "compromise" if I go for astronomy on the "expense" of physics? Do I stop being a physicist is I take "Astronomy" grad program (while I keep being a physicist if I take the 'astrophysics' one?)

This is all very confusing...

Thanks!

~mooey]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:21:30 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62930-astronomy-vs-astrophysics/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62922-need-help-finding-quality-books-on/
I am not sure what books would be worth my time in these topics and what books would be a waste of money could you please help me?

I would also like to learn about aerodynamics and meteorology, and would like to hear about good books on those topics

Thanks heaps.]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:29:21 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62922-need-help-finding-quality-books-on/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62914-considering-masters-in-computational-science/ So basically I have my undergraduate degree in math and I have the option to spend another two years getting a masters degree at the same school in computational science (also through the math dept.). I would probably make my interdisciplinary emphasis physics so it would be like a math modeling / computational physics masters degree. Does anyone think this is a wise or unwise decision? I have done some extensive searching online and basically every job post in modeling and comp. sci requires a phd and they all seem to be connected to universities, can someone enlighten me on my likely prospects with this type of degree, as of right now it seems like a pretty bad idea job prospect wise. Thanks. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:15:57 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62914-considering-masters-in-computational-science/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62901-surviving-gradschool-in-sciences/
There are quite a lot of people in this forum with graduate-degrees in the sciences -- how was grad school for you? Do you have any tips or advice for new students going through the process? What would you recommend a student would consider when picking a program in case they received multiple affirmative responses to their application?


Let's share our experience!]]> Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:20:48 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62901-surviving-gradschool-in-sciences/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62770-realistically-how-hard-is-it-to-get-into-a-top-10-grad-school/
How badly will it hurt me that I currently go to a tier 2 school? It is a large state school with a good chemistry program, but it is nowhere near the types of places I have in mind for grad school.

I just want so badly to get into a big name, top ranked school for grad school and I have been working my tail off to make sure it happens. I just want to know if I really have a shot or if it is sort of a random chance type thing. I really feel like there isn't anything more that I could be doing to show that I deserve acceptance to a top ranked program, but yet I feel like I am still going to receive rejection letters and be left wondering why.]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:48:02 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62770-realistically-how-hard-is-it-to-get-into-a-top-10-grad-school/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62694-need-educational-advice/ I am 15 year old student and I am planning to take Biochemistry as a proffesion in future. My reason to make this topic is that I need advice from you what to take for GCSE, on which subjects should I concentrate more and what countries are the best for biochemistry. Since this educational year I am getting ready for GCSEs it is good idea to start thinking about it now. I really appreciate your help. Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:19:07 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62694-need-educational-advice/ http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62678-what-about-biomedical-engineering/
I have 2 things in mind right now: pharmacy and biomedical engineering

People who actually told my pharmacy is a good major for later on, were actually from an older generation (50-60 yrs old). the ones who thought engineering in general (not necessarily biomedical) were in their 20s-30s.

That's why i've come here to ask your opinion, the opinion of people who majored in one of those areas, and your thoughts about each one, as well as the working fields.


I would prefer to know about the situation on a global scale because i am not in the US or Europe. But all answers are welcome.]]> Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:51:59 +0000 http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/62678-what-about-biomedical-engineering/