Minor to go with double major in math and CS

[TylerH]

I'm double majoring in math and cs and will probably do the 4+1 program to get a MS in applied math. But, since I'm starting with a lot of hours (27), I thought I'd go ahead and get a minor in something. Is it even advisable for me to have a minor?

I'm not sure what field I want to go into. I'll probably go ahead with a PhD in pure math and try to get into academia. The point of the BS in CS is to make me more employable in the private sector, as a backup. So, with that goal, what minors would be helpful?

If there aren't any that are significantly useful in terms of employability, would it look bad if I just took a minor in something I'm interested in? (I don't want to appear as if I'm not focused and can't make up my mind.) I've been considering a minor in chem or psychology, since they're related to my interest in entheogens.

 

[chiro]

Hey TylerH.

If you are doing applied math where the focus is more on non-statistics courses (differential equations, numerical analysis, etc), I'd recommend doing a few statistics courses to get a stats minor.

 

[20Tauri]

I think you've probably got your bases covered with the double major combination. My school wouldn't even let us get a minor with a double major.

If you do want to get a minor, it might be worthwhile to think about a foreign language (particularly French or German, maybe ancient Greek or Latin), because a lot of math PhD programs expect you to be able to read papers written by important mathematicians from other countries. Like, you could read Gauss's original work if you knew German, or you could read Newton in the original Latin.

 

[TylerH]

I think you've probably got your bases covered with the double major combination. My school wouldn't even let us get a minor with a double major.

If you do want to get a minor, it might be worthwhile to think about a foreign language (particularly French or German, maybe ancient Greek or Latin), because a lot of math PhD programs expect you to be able to read papers written by important mathematicians from other countries. Like, you could read Gauss's original work if you knew German, or you could read Newton in the original Latin.

That's a great idea that should have occurred to me. I've been considering moving to Germany later in life.

 

[Matrix0]

I would say that having a minor can be beneficial in certain ways. It can provide you with a broader knowledge base and potentially make you more well-rounded as a scientist. However, it is not necessary for everyone and ultimately, it depends on your individual goals and interests.

In your case, it seems like you have a clear plan for your education and career path. Your double major in math and CS, along with the 4+1 program for a MS in applied math, is already a strong combination that will make you highly employable in both academia and the private sector. Therefore, adding a minor may not necessarily increase your employability, but it may still be beneficial for your personal growth and interests.

If you are interested in pursuing a PhD in pure math and potentially going into academia, it may be more useful to focus on courses and research experiences related to that field. However, if you do have a strong interest in chem or psychology, taking a minor in those areas can still be beneficial as it can provide you with a different perspective and potentially open up new research opportunities.

Ultimately, it is important to choose a minor that aligns with your interests and complements your major, rather than just choosing one for the sake of employability. Employers and graduate schools will value your passion and dedication to a particular subject, rather than just a minor that you took for the sake of appearing more well-rounded. So, if you are truly interested in chem or psychology, then go for it and do not worry about appearing unfocused. Your strong academic background in math and CS will speak for itself.