What is Major: Definition and 1000 Discussions

I am finding that I like CS, even though my first exposure to it was only one year ago at the age of 26 in a C++ intro class. I've managed to land myself a part-time job with a start-up; I am doing research for the company, working on scripts in Cygwin and Groovy, both of which were totally new...

Hello all. I'm in need of some advice, and I would appreciate any thoughts you guys can contribute. I will be graduating from RPI this semester with a BS in Aeronautical Engineering. I am applying to graduate schools with the intention of becoming involved in space propulsion research (a...

So sometimes people ask "why physics?" and I tell them about all that BS about learning how the world works, doing stuff that challenges me and interests me... but this is the actual answer: X-ray laser experiment designed to be awesome ZOMG WHAT IS THAT?!? More awesome. AND I DON'T...

Hey I'm currently a freshman math major and just registered for my spring classes. When I went to my adviser, she thought I was insane for taking three math classes at one time. Am I insane? Schedule: -College Calculus 3 -Introduction to Differential Equations -Introduction to Linear...

Hi guys, I'm new here. I'm currently an English major in my first year and I've been thinking about what kind of job and salary I will end up with this kind of degree and I've been seriously considering switching my major to Earth Sciences. I have an interest in science and geology but math...

OK. I'm a high school student in Ontario, soon to be applying for university. I have a couple of questions. First, I want details on the differences between theoretical physics, and regular physics. I seem to have a much heavier inclination towards theoretical physics, but it seems that...

Or are they basically equal?

Hello everyone! Let me first start with some quick background information. I am just finishing up my AA degree and am on my way to a university to go for computer science or possibly computer engineering. I am not good at math, I have to really apply myself just to get a C+. Because of this...

2nd year undergrad here. What did physics majors think about the difficulty of their various courses? I took the honors versions of the intro course and did pretty well but I'm in intermediate classical mechanics and it's destroying me... I guess taking six classes might have been a bit too...

I have been undecided for about 2 years now, and even took a year off from school because I didn't know what I wanted to do. I still can't decide. One thing that I am quite interested in is Astronomy, and even if I do not try to go to grad school for astronomy, I still feel like a physics major...

Hello physicsforums, I am a freshman in college and i am actually kind of confused about what i should be majoring in. I am currently in the CS department at USC and i really like it, but i feel like i might be taking the wrong path to where i want to go. I want to study graphics, securities...

Sorry to intrude. I really need some advice. I have a dilemma on my hands and need to get some feedback from experts like yourselves :) Please permit me to give you a little background about myself. I am 34 years old. I have about 82 college credits (none of which involve math and only one...

I'm currently doing Electrical Engineering. My main problem is math, and it's mostly my fault. I did the minimum work I needed in calculus 1 and 2 and it's kicking my butt in calculus 3 (I have failed it once before). I don't remember the basic stuff from calculus 1 and 2 is the big problem...

Hi, I'm in my Junior year and I'm starting to think very seriously about what I want to do once I graduate, especially about whether I want to go to grad school or not. I've had a bit of experience doing research (spent two summers doing academic research) and I don't really think it's my...

I'm currently doing mechanical engineering and doing pretty well in it. Adding physics would require me to take 18 credits a couple semesters but it's pretty doable for me. I plan to go to graduate school for nuclear engineering. Would this idea be advisable or should I simply take additional...

I am trying to decide between Physics or Engineering or maybe something else for my major in college next year. I'm very interested in physics, and figuring out how the world works. I like to find completely new solutions to problems, as opposed to working off of other previous solutions...

I'm a Math major, and am considering a minor in Stats. The thing is, I keep getting told that a math degree won't get me anywhere, besides teaching. I've been told to go into engineering instead. The problem is, I don't think I'm the "hands-on" type of person, and I know engineering is hands-on...

In my college students who don't have AP credit for calc I are required to delay physics a semester till they are done with calc I. Because of this students take E@M sophomore year and have to take a intro waves and thermo class 2nd semester sophomore year. This means students don't take...

Hello everyone, i am in my third year of university and need of some guidance. Where to begin, i have 72 credits and a 2.340 gpa in Electrical Engineering due mostly to work(at a bank), social life and life, since my parents cannot help me with my bills. I know one thing is certain, i have come...

I'm currently a sophomore at college and I have a very high gpa. My school offers a program where I can work on BS in EE, Math, and MS in Math in just a few years. What I'm wondering is if there are a lot of career opportunities for choosing this path. I am completely interested in finding...

I'm a high school senior and I'm toying around the idea of double majoring in cs and physics, as I incredibly enjoy both fields. I aced AP Computer Science and AP Physics C(both Mechanics and EM). With AP credit, will I be able to complete a cs physics double major in 4 to 5 years without...

Last Friday, the administration killed a major portion of the healthcare law, called CLASS, or the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/14/ap/health/main20120670.shtml ). Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius...

I don't get how someone coming out of high school is supposed to know what they want to major in? I enjoyed my high school math and physics classes, but how am I supposed to know if that would translate to me enjoying or even being able to handle getting a degree in those subjects? And I...

Hey, there! I'm currently a senior in high school, getting ready to apply to universities in the next month or two and I had some questions. I've found so far that I really have three fields that I thoroughly enjoy, Physics, Math and Computer Science. After looking at all of my interests and...

So i stared as Comp Sci major about 3 year ago, very quickly changed to EE since i got interested in robotics and stuff like that. Since then i been playing with electronics, doing a lot of robotics work and i really like it... and i think its a hobbie that matches with me 100%. But now that I...

Hi Do I really need to take economics/statistics/finance course in my undergraduate years if I am considering the possibility of landing on a finance job? I really do not want to worry about getting job in my undergraduate years but would like to put some serious thoughts after my graduate...

I'm debating primarily between mathematics and EE/ME. Although my parents said that they'd support whatever I want to do I've been telling (especially my father) them that I want to go into engineering although I enjoy mathematics more at this point. I think that they believe I won't be able to...

I'd like to minor in either physics, math, or biology. I'm currently only a sophomore in community college and as I'm not all that sure where I actually want to go in the field of chemistry, I'd prefer simple advice on each subject and what directions I might go in with each subject. And...

Homework Statement [PLAIN]http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/2285/unledxig.png The problem is to verify (v), that is for some x and y in R, we have (-x)(-y) = xyThe Attempt at a Solution (-x)(-y) = (-1)x * (-1)y by Prop 2.7 iv = x*(-1) * (-1)y by M2 = x*(-1*-1) * y by M1 = x*(+1)*y = xy...

I just finished the 4th week of my Circuits I class and I'm a little worried. Not only is the class ridiculously fast but I don't really like it. All of my classmates love this the class and I'm just not seeing it. After this semester I'll have 2 more Circuits classes and I'm worried that I'll...

I really enjoy math (when I understand it), and am now going towards a Bachelor's degree in mathematics. I've read up on possible career options, but I was hoping to get more insight on here. So, what are the types of careers that a math major can get with a bachelors, masters, and Phd? Also...

Hello, I am only a freshman in college and I'm taking calc 3, etc. In other words, before I know it I will be taking the "core" classes for the major I chose...Mechanical Engineering. I always had my mind set on ME for the sole reason that the physics aspect of cars was so interesting to...

Hi, I'm going into my second year of the physics program and I was thinking about trying out for med school afterwards. In case that doesn't pan out, what are some other jobs that require a physics degree? If I don't make it into med school, I'll probably go for a masters and probably Ph.D...

So, I'm looking at colleges and whatnot, and I know I want to be a doctor of some sort, so I am going to do pre med, but I am also really into physics. The plan is to hopefully go to a college that has a good premed classes and advice, but also get a physics major at that college. First off, is...

The new supernova is in the "pinwheel galaxy", M101, near the edge of a spiral arm. The galaxy is in Ursa Major, roughly where the tip of the bear's tail would be if it flicked upward! It has reached magnitude 10.2, so not a naked-eye object, but visible with binoculars. For a map, see...

Hey I've been browsing these forums for some insight into the field I'll be currently majoring in. But I feel I may as a well ask myself and get some firsthand advice. Being a physics major, it's only natural that the course load will be quite heavy compared to others. I'm taking five...

Hello physicsforums, I'm currently an Engineering and Science student (3rd year at university), currently having doubts about just what I want to do with myself. I'm currently studying chemistry, but have really only been making sense of the physical stuff. I got into QM, didn't like organic or...

Hi everyone. I am going into my last year in High School, but am still undecided with what I should major. I consider myself to be good at math, but I am not talented in it. I learn what I'm taught, but if I am given a problem in which I have never encountered and taught, I will never be...

This is my first semester at uni so, I am also enrolled in my first physics class. It is an honors mechanics class. So far, there have been 2 problem sets of around 20 questions. The questions in the problem sets are orders of magnitude more difficult than anything covered in class. It comes to...

Hi everyone, I may be being a bit dramatic about this but I feel extremely cruddy right now. I am (technically) a junior in college at the moment. I say technically because my first year was at community college where I not only didn't take 12 hours each semester (full time) but some of those...

Hi, I'm a senior at the University of Wisconsin and I will be applying to grad school in physics soon. I'm currently majoring in Math, Physics, Nuclear Engineering, and Astronomy. I have 6 credits left to finish my astronomy degree and I'm seriously considering not finishing it out. As it...

Hi everybody, I am entering my first year of university (again) and I want to complete a double major in either physics and math or physics and computer science, but I do not know which one will benefit me the most. Right now I see physics and computer science double major path more...

Hey PF, I'm in my senior year of high school and I'm taking AP Physics B this year as my school does not offer AP Physics C, and I'm wondering if I should supplement with extra studying as I plan on majoring in physics. I took calculus AB (equivalent of first semester calculus) last year and I'm...

Chemists/Physicists: Is it advisable to take 3rd Bachelors program: BS Mathematics after first Double Major? Well, my reason is that I ended up hating biotechnology (biochem in particular) and I'd like to see myself doing quantum chemistry (I'm a 5th year student of a Bachelor's program in...

I was strongly considering getting a BS in Physics along with a BA in Math until right now when I'm starting to consider dropping the Physics major. By "dropping" I don't mean leave Physics altogether but instead of getting a BS in it, I'll just be taking a lot of courses in it (such as quantum...

Enrolled as a freshmen in engineering transfer program (need some help) Hi, I have been lurking this forum for sometime, and absolutely think its an amazingly helpful place. Regarding the topic. I enrolled in a college to study computer engineering, but sadly, in my sophmore year in hs I...

Hello I am a sophomore at Penn State currently in Aerospace engineering. I am stuck between engineering and physics like so many people out there. I have taken engineering classes and it seems a little boring. At least at my school engineering has been displayed as the conceptual development of...

I like to plan ahead so as of now I basically have a good idea what my schedule will be like for all 4 year of college. I want to go into QFT eventually so I think the math classes I have decided to take will be best for that. They are Multivariable calculus( freshmen year 1st semester) Half a...

Is this reasonable or should I just chose one of them? What jobs can you get with just an undergrad degree in math or EE? Thanks! Micromass will comment to convince me that I should just do math.

People never seem to mention optics when they talk about the core courses an undergraduate student majoring in physics should take. Yet, a professor told me it was a very useful course. Is it applicable to other areas in physics? How demanding is such a course? (my college uses Hecht's book...