Need advice on UTSA Physics and Math departments (how much, find a job)

[slats142]

I'm currently going to be a sophomore at UTSA studying Physics. Although I have had nothing but good experiences there I'm not sure about my prospects should I choose to graduate from there.

I was a CAP student but I decided to stay at UTSA rather than transfer to UT. My question is more or less to any UTSA staff or alum that has any advice to offer. Specifically whether I should continue my physics major or switch to Math which I have had some excellent proffessors and heard good things about( as far as the graduate school) or transfer to UT or some other school.

Will I end up with a degree and not be able to find a job or get into a good graduate program?


And please I don't need to hear about UTSA's reputation, I go there it's very obvious to me, just need real world advice form people in the know.

[TXEX06]

Go to the best school you can go to.

[neoterics]

I am not alum nor faculty at UTSA. I am in a PhD. program at UTSA so I will give you my 2 cents from that point of view.

Through my experience with jobs and graduate school I feel emphasis is less on the school your degree is from but more so how much you are involved with your specific study. If you like UTSA then I would stay there.Thinking you will get a much better job oppourtunities or get into a better graduate program because your degree says UT is untrue through my observations and experiences. Find out which program best fits you!

Yes you will get a job with a UTSA degree and yes you can get into a good graduate program also. I dont see UTSA having a bad reputation. I think the school is changing rapidly for the good and people are taking notice.

[Shock]

My coworker here is a physics major at utsa almost done. He tells me it takes a while because several classes arent offered year around. I graduated in 06 with an electrical engineering degree but I did have Koinov for a couple of classes. I felt uninterested and a little bored because of his teaching style and I am sure others would agree. On the other hand, I had excellent Math instructors and felt more motivated and interested in doing well. I don't think you'll be having a hard time finding a job with a physics degree, but it is more specific than a math degree and there is more of a chance you won't be doing something related to physics in your first career job. Math major may look more appealing on paper to employers in my opinion.

[traficdogn]

Originally Posted by slats142

Will I end up with a degree and not be able to find a job or get into a good graduate program?

Are you good friends with your professors and department personnel? Do they have pull in the selection for their graduate program? Do their graduate programs offer 100% rides + stipend?

If your professors can't get you full rides for grad school in the math/sciences, thats a bad sign. Either they don't get government funding (bad), or your grades/behavior is not up to par (bad). I'm pretty sure it is easier to have a positive relationship with professors at UTSA, than mega campus's like UT.

[NierCosan]

I'm a UTSA grad with an EE degree. I had a lot of experience so getting a job was easy, but UT is much more respected than UTSA, which counts for a lot getting your first job out of school. I'd stay with Physics and transfer to UT.