should I finish my dual degree in 4.5 years or in 5 years

leright

It seems I can finish my dual degree in EE/physics in 3 more semesters and be out after a total of 4.5 years with a dual degree in EE and physics with a minor in chemistry. However, these last three semesters will be a rather heavy course load of 18 credits per semester. The other option is to be out of here in 5 years with the same dual degree in EE and physics, but with slightly less course load the last couple semesters and I will also take a couple more semesters of control systems, which is a subject I am immensely interested in (I hope to take a digital control course and a process control course), a solid state tech course (which is also of interest to me and is it is why I am dual majoring in EE/phys...but I think I can fit this course into the 4.5 year plan), and hopefully a second 4 credit directed study in classical E&M (I've already taken one 4 credit emag course and it was immensely interesting to me.

So, for someone that might like to go to grad school to study control systems (if I pursue the engineering side of things) or solid state electronics or maybe photonics (if I pursue "physicsy" engineering side of things.....btw, I am taking a photonics course right now), what is a better choice? should I just get done in 4.5 years and move on to grad school, or should I spread things out a little bit more over 5 years and take a couple additional courses of my interest.

My ultimate goal is to attend a graduate program...whether I go to the physics side or the engineering side is unknown as both are currently very interesting to me. Will graduate school be impressed by someone with a dual degree in EE/physics and will they appreciate the extra coursework?

FYI, my GPA is currently a 3.4, but I hope to get it up to a 3.7 by the time I graduate. So, which option will make me more competitive in grad school admissions?

buddyholly9999

As long as you don't fail your extra coursework classes..I don't see how they could hurt you.

jbusc

Well...why the minor in chemistry? Is it just because it's like only one extra course or something? It seems that if you really want to go all out on EE/Physics then chemistry might be a thing to drop. Unless, it really is a negligible addon.

leright

I was previously a chemistry major and took lots of chemistry classes.

jbusc

Well I don't know what more to say, except that I'm going to be doing a double major in EE + Physics/Computer Science and most professors I've asked about it have been particularly positive about the opportunities from those degrees...