You must unlearn what you have learned

Yoda

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Instructions for prospective students

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I have had students from B. Tech., M.Sc. and our Ph.D. programs, as well as external students wishing to do a Summer/M.Sc. project, email me mentioning their interest in various topics in theoretical physics in general, and black hole physics or quantum gravity in particular, and their intention of working with me for the same. I hope the instructions below will give you a clearer idea of what i expect from such projects, and how you might expect to be evaluated.

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• Research interests
  

  Going through these before contacting me would help discussing prospective projects better. You are not expected to understand all of it, but it should help you identify what are the topics you might approach me for a project. At an undergraduate level, I keep a broad interest in topics in astronomy, physics and mathematics, so if you are a sufficiently motivated undergrad interested in an introductory/exploratory project, you may contact me for further information.



• Pre-requisites
  

  If you are an undergrad past your 2nd year, a few basic courses offered at IITM: PH3500 (Classical Physics), PH3520 (Quantum Physics) and a course on Mathematical Methods are pre-requisite to the projects that I usually offer.




Aside, here are some links to help you cultivate the right attitude towards scientific research. Any serious research aspirant would do well going through these.


       Gerard’t Hooft's How to become a GOOD theoretical physicist
       Gerard’t Hooft's How to become a BAD theoretical physicist
       Gerard’t Hooft's The importance of recognising fringe science
       John Baez's The Crackpot Index
       Warren Siegel's Are you a quack?

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