Re: Essential (was Computer) Skills

[jmclean@chem.ucsd.edu (James Mclean)]

kyle forinash says:
> As long as we are talking about essential skills for a modern physicist-
>
> What other skills and/or course work do folks on the list think are
> essential these days for an undergrad physics degree? How much has this
> changed since I was in school (25 years ago)?
>
> I ask this because I am looking into trying to convince the administration
> here to fund an undergraduate physics degree program. They want it to be an
> applied and/or practical program, which I am not opposed to per-say
> although I think they do not understand the utility skills gained in
> theoretical courses at the undergraduate level.

Your admin. may constrain your particular case, but in general I am
wondering if the essential skills for a practicing physicist are
necessarily the same as essential degree requirements.  How many physics BS
recipients go on to be physicists?  (Not a rhetorical question -- I really
don't know.)  Perhaps replies to this thread might include this
distinction, where it seems appropriate...

-- 
--James McLean
jmclean@chem.ucsd.edu
post doc
UC San Diego, Chemistry