Major Definition and 1000 Threads

I find it odd that most people commit to engineering before they've even tried taking an engineering course. People who go straight to four year colleges generally get admitted to an engineering major in high school. Likewise transfers frequently haven't had a chance to take any engineering...

I'm not sure if it's for me. I've never taken a physics course before, not even in high school. But I have an idea of what I'd be getting into, I've read a bit of material on my own. I have a good GPA (3.7), I'm decent in math (which is my 1st major actually) but I'm still not sure if I could...

Hey I'm currently headed off to University at Buffalo this fall for math and I'm stuck on scheduling. So far I know I'm talking Calculus II, but I'm not sure what else to take. What classes should I take as a freshman math major?

Double major: Astronautics & Astronomy..possible?? From the little research I've done, I've gathered that to double major at any university, there must be great overlap in the topics studied/researched (phd) associated with the degrees. I am curious as to how accurate this is and also as...

Other than C++, which is obvious, and MATLAB, which is unavoidable.

Hey PF, so like a lot of phys undergrads I've been thinking about what my job prospects are going to be out of college. I'd like to have options open to me other than teaching, so my question to you is this: If I were to double major in physics and either aeronautical engineering, electrical...

Hello! I am new to this site as you can see but I plan on being here for a while. I am just finishing my freshman year of college, and I have 20 unites with between a 3.4-3.7 GPA. This year I did not want to declare a major because I was to scared to commit to one.. Ive known my whole life I...

I'm going to be transferring to Virginia Tech from a community college in New York soon for Electrical Engineering, I have always had a strong aptitude for physics particularly E&M. I'm starting to think that I might want to end up going to graduate school for physics. My question is would a...

I wasn't sure where to post this question. I just received my undergraduate degree in Physics yesterday, and I noticed my degree just says "Bachelor of Science" with no mention of Physics on it. Most of the other majors' diplomas say "Bachelor of Science in XXXX", so I was wondering why mine...

Hello, I am currently a Jr. in high school and I am very interested in physics and computers. I would like to get a Ph.D. in physics (with emphasis of quantum mechanics or particle physics). For a career I would eventually like to build/research dealing with quantum computing, or be a particle...

HI, I have two choices right now to finish before graduation: Double major in physics and applied math And MS in physics degree ( concurrent program) I could only finish one of them in May next year. After graduation, I want to apply for a PhD program in finance or financial...

I switched my major to physics from Electrical Engineering, (I am finished with freshman year and will be starting sophomore year as physics major), and many people seem disappointed with the decision. I think it has mainly to do with how much money is made; physics vs. engineering. I have to...

Well didn't even start my degree yet but I'm trying to figure out what a math major does in co-op. What kind of gigs can he land? On another note, if you want to do research while you're in undergraduate, how can you even help? With sciences you can atleast help set up the lab but with math...

Hi, I'm a graduating senior in high school in NY. I'm going to be attending a mostly liberal arts college in NH next year; but I will most likely major in one type of engineering. My engineering interests include AI, cloud computing, semiconductors, energy storage systems (ultracapacitors...

I have heard that social skills are very important. (I'm an engineering major.) What kind of social skills, specifically, are important? I have no problem carrying a conversation with an intelligent person about either a common interest we share or about an idea. This ranges from...

I have no idea about the topics posted on this part of the forum, nor have I had any slight experience about the things posted. Is this okay or normal if I'm still a first year ME major?

Good day everyone, I am currently doing an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering and minoring(specializing) in Instrumentations and Control Systems. I will be entering my final year September 2011, and in order to graduate I have to do a major project on anything involving the...

I'm currently in high school and I know it's a little early to decide on major/minors, but I really enjoy physics and math. The university I will be attending only offers a minor in physics, but it offers majors in theoretical, applied, and general mathematics and I was wondering which would be...

Hi, I'm going to UCI next year as a Computer Science major, and I was wondering about some stuff regarding graduate school. I know its kinda early, but I learned from high school that I should definitely plan things earlier :] So, just cause I'm going to UCI, does that mean I can't get...

I'm currently finishing my freshman year as an Industrial Engineering major at UM, but I find that my interest in Physics far surpasses my interest in IE. I need to decide on a major very soon (as in before next semester) in order to not fall behind, so I've been coming up with the pros and...

Hi everyone, I'm an undergrad philosophy major and I have a few specific physics questions, the answers to which shall help me write my final paper for metaphysics this semester. The most important question is: if you break something simple like a piece of wood, could you expect that the sum...

Hi all, My university has an exchange program, and I am thinking to apply for it Some of the notable choices (in Europe) are: -ETH Zurich -EPFLausanne -TU Munich -TU Darmstadt -U Stuttgart -Utrecht -KTH -Chalmers I am a Physics Major (undergraduate) and do not speak any...

I very desperately need some advice from you guys. This has been eating me up inside for the last half a year. Here's the situation: I'm a computer science major with one year to go before I get my BS. I find computer science interesting, but I'm not very passionate about it. I basically...

I'm going to be going to college in about two and a half years, and I've spent some amounts of time trying to figure out what I should major in. So far, I've come up with this: Double major in Electrical and Computer Engineering, minor in physics. I just have some questions for this, however...

Hey PF, just thought I'd post a story. Kind of long, sorry. I'm 19 next week, and a freshman at a community college. Long story short, up until this semester my school effort has been hit and miss. I'd do great sometimes, then terrible at others. Until senior year, I just stopped caring...

I am having difficulty with choosing a major: Physics or Electrical Engineering(Micro&Nano)... Physics becuase every concept is like doorways to understanding life! I like be theoretical and imagining possibilties. All physics interest me so i wouldn't know what i want specifically until...

Heya folks! So I had a question about mathematics requirements. In my current physics program, you are only required to go up to calculus 3. Some people choose to do a math minor, others choose other minors. This same program, goes up to QM 1 + 2 as capstone classes. My question is...

Philosophy+Mathematics or Physics will definately bring a synergistic effect, however, how about mechanical engineering and philosophy? has anyone taken this combination?

Hey guys, I'm currently a sophomore in college and after doing quite a bit of soul searching, I've realized that engineering might be the right path for my future career-wise. I started off college with a music performance degree (I love music and still do) but after doing it for a while, I...

I want to study astronomy/astrophysics. But only two of the University of California offers astronomy or astrophysics. Would it be possible to major in physics and get a job in an astronomy related field or later get a masters in astronomy/astrophysics with a BS in physics?

Hello everyone, I am currently a freshman undergrad physics major at Stony Brook University. However, I've been having some doubts lately. I've been taking the advanced freshman physics courses last semester and this semester, and they more challenging than I expected. I'm not failing them...

I am in high school, currently studying grade 12 Physics. Other subjects I am taking are Chemistry, Biology, Calculus I, English, History. Out of all these subjects, I find that I have to study for Physics the most. It is a hard class. The exams seem to be much much harder than the homework and...

Hello! This is my first post and I am a senior at my high school who is attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall to major in Nuclear Engineering. I was thinking about double majoring in Mathematics or just minor in it. I was wondering if this major/minor would be of use for my...

Hello everyone! Our son wants to pursue physics as a major (eventually getting a Ph.D.) and wants to ultimately become a research physicist. He has narrowed down the schools that he has been accepted to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Case Western Reserve, and the University of Rochester...

Hello everyone, I am a second year physics major and I have the option of minoring in either EE or taking more math classes. I don't really care about the titles/pieces of paper, but I would like to know which one is helpful in terms of career and physics skills. I know that taking more math...

Is a Physics minor recommended for EE major?? I will soon transfer out of my community college, and i originally wanted to get a physics minor along with my EE major. I haven't been doing so good in physics the past 2 semesters my grades fluctuate from As to Cs, and i have ended up in both...

First of all, I used to be the kid that hated math back in high school. But did okay, besides in PreCalc. I go to UCSD now, it's my junior year, and I'm now a Math-Computer Science major. I only declared CSE recently. I got a D in my modern algebra class. I studied super hard too, but didn't...

I see more and more that any professor or REU program wants one of three skills: programming (which I am in the process of obtaining), fabrication/machining/welding(which I know very well), or electronics knowledge, the latter which I do not have and have no idea even where to start. I know...

Hi all. First, I'm pretty new here, so I apologize for any faux pauxs I might make. Anyway, I'm a freshman in college right now, and my current major is chemistry. I don't really know if I want to stay in chemistry though, because I only ever want to work on my math class and german class...

Hello I am currently a dual enrolled high school student. I have a history of overloading myself with credits during high school before I started taking college credits. However my latest plan for after finishing my senior year in 2012 has reached new levels of insanity. I am very...

I'll be graduating soon and don't really want to go to grad school. My heart is just not in it anymore and I want to start "living" outside of the context of school for once. I don't have any internships or anything to make me particularly attractive besides pretty good grades. A few years...

Background: I'm a freshman physics major, and I noticed that I have a time conflict between these 2 pairs of introductory classes that I want to take, and they are only offered once in 2 years, so I will like some opinion on which I should take: 1. graph theory OR continuum mechanics 2...

I want to be some sort of a research scientist. I was wondering what you guys think would be better to study. Is one easier to get jobs with? How much harder is physics then chemistry? and finally how much would a research scientist with a masters degree earn right out of school with those...

For my undergraduate, I'll be majoring in physics, with the intent to move on to graduate school for astronomy. In doing this, how helpful would it be to attend a school that offers an emphasis or track in astronomy or astrophysics alongside the physics major? Should I consider it to be a...

Hello, What are some recommended engineering courses I should take to diversify my physics degree? Thanks! DoubleMint

So I know there's another thread but I don't want to hijack it, and I'm going to math major as well so I'll be taking another 8-10 or so semesters beyond calculus/linear algebra. I'm interested in doing physics with a theoretical bent. From what I've gathered, group theory and differential...

Advice PLEASE! I am an Undergraduate going into my junior year and aspiring to double major in Physics and Mathematics. I am really confused on the path of Mathematics that I should take. I am very interested in taking the real analysis sequence I just really would like to hear from someone who...

I was wondering if anyone here at PF is doing or has done this type of sequence at their university or college. I'm into my sophomore year and it seems doable for me. I'm still in the process of taking my lower division courses so I'm not sure how hard the upper division classes will be (I have...

I'm going to be a second-year student next year, and since for the first semester I only have three courses I need to take, and there are no optional Physics modules other than the already prescribed core courses everyone needs to take anyway, I was thinking I'd pick another Maths course...

I am currently a B.S math major at a top 50 university. I wanted to know the advantages adding a B.A Physics major would have on my marketability job-wise and admission to a top engineering graduate school once I graduate. I am thinking of adding the Physics major, but I'm not sure if taking...