Physics major Definition and 322 Threads

ZapperZ submitted a new PF Insights post The Life of a Physics Major Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.

I'm a Physics major, and I've heard most universities require that you take Chemistry. My school doesn't require this. Is it still beneficial to get some chemistry under my belt?

Alright so I know that I am thinking far into the future here but I think it is necessary. I am a freshman in college and I am a physics major but my grades are poor. My first semester I got 2 C's(physics and math) because I did not study a lot. This semester I'm doing better, I'll get an A in...

I'm a physics major taking Linear Algebra right now. It's been pretty boring but I'm doing well. I'm just wondering about which concepts from this subject should I really focus on understanding and knowing how to apply well? Obviously I'm focusing on everything and trying to receive and A in...

So I am majoring in Physics due to its flexibility (and my love of the subject), but I never intended on going into research. I finally think I've decided what I want to do. I either want to go into some sort of economics/finance (a graduate student I knew got an offer from a major bank), or I...

Aloha, I am majoring in physics but have finished all my requirements outside of the physics field. So I am stuff taking only physics and math and want to become full time. Does anyone have suggestions on what would be a good second major/minor to accompany physics? I am thinking chemistry...

It seems being able to program is a very valuable tool to a student studying physics (about to be a 3rd year). I'm transferring from a CC to a four year soon. I noticed a lot of the universities I've been accepted to have had their sophomores take some programming this year. Over the summer...

I am a first year physics major, and last semester I did poorly in calc and physics, due to a lack of studying and being new to college and all that. This semester I am destroying physics so far (not cocky, I have been studying and getting A's on most quizzes), but I am only doing average in...

Hello, I'm not yet at the University level, but I was just wondering what core (meaning physics and math) classes are important for someone going into physics. Some background on my education thus far, I took Algebra 1 in 7th grade, Geometry in 8th, algebra 2 in 9th, doubled up on math in 10th...

I've ran into a problem where my local University, that I would be able to attend for no cost due to my close proximity (staying at home) and scholarships, does not offer physics as a major, only a minor. If I were to attend a different University, my scholarships wouldn't cover my costs due to...

Hi all. I'm a prospective physics major, hoping to either go into particle physics or condensed matter research or enter tech if research doesn't turn out to be for me. I was wondering which elective I should choose for next semester--astro 101 or Chemistry 1 or CS 1? Will chemistry help me with...

I am currently signing up for classes next semester. I am already taking Linear Algebra, Physics 2 + Lab, and a required writing course. As my fourth choice I can either take Astronomy + Lab or Introduction to Probability and Statistics. The pros of statistics are that there is no lab, which...

Have a personal question for those familiar with the field. I am an "older than usual" undergrad student who is very interested in physics. At 27 years old I have fallen in love with understanding the world through physics and mathematics. I will be declaring myself a physics major this...

I am a sophmore physics major, and I'm trying to decide on a concentration. I'm very interested in psychology, and am trying to find a way to combine the two, but I doubt that with the time remaining that I could even minor in bio or psychology in the time remaining to me. If I wish to pursue...

Should I take abstract algebra. I was going to double major but I don't want to be at school for more than four years or pay for extra classes. Therefore, I decided minor in mathematics instead. I registered for abstract algebra before I decided to just minor in mathematics. I have a hard time...

*I just realized I posted this to the wrong topic. Oops* [Note from mentor: moved to Academic Guidance. In the future, if you think you've posted in the wrong place, simply hit the "Report" button/link and tell us.] I'm starting college in 1 month, I'm so excited! My plan is to go in...

I am currently a senior in high school and next year I will be enrolling into my freshman year of college. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on doing a double major in Computer Engineering and Physics? For example, would it be worth the time and course load to complete a double major in...

At the moment, I'm a second year phyics/astronomy major, along with a math minor. And like most people majoring in STEM fields, I hope to get into a PhD program in a few years or so (I don't exactly know what to go into specifically, I have an interest in a couple of somewhat specific fields of...

I am a physics major currently scheduled to graduate next May. However, I want to take a 1 year break before going on to graduate school. What are some worthwhile things that I can do during that 1 year break? I definitely want to do something/ or join a program that is travelling-related...

Hi everyone, I 'm doing a physics degree in Imperial College london, I have a tendency to do experimental physics research in the future, however, I applied to the theoretical physics course 3 years ago, which means (a year less labs than the experimental physicists, I made this decision because...

Hello everyone, First post here, so let me introduce myself. My name is Cameron Roberts, as I believe will show next to my post. I currently study at the University of Alabama as a Physics major with a somewhat undecided minor. I intend to get my Ph.D and work on the Bose-Einstein Condensate...

I have to decide whether to major in physics and minor in something else or to do a specialization degree in physics for undergrad. Now a specialization degree (SSP) is basically a major degree on steroids; it's a major honours degree with some graduate courses stacked on top of it so that more...

I'm currently a double major in applied mathematics and physics, but I'm not exactly sure what I will be doing after I graduate. I will graduate in about 2 more years give or take, and I just started my 4th year in college (I transferred into UT so things are taking longer but this was my...

I tested out of my maths, and was placed in Calculus II, and being 16 I don't have time to be a full-time student (nor the mental capacity) so I only am taking two more classes, Physics I for Physics Majors, and Sociology. Going into the school year I felt very confident in Physics and kind of...

Hi, I'll be entering my second year as a physics major (full-time), at a competitive top-tire school (University of Toronto), and I am contemplating getting a part-time - 20 hour - job. Has anyone had experience managing full-time studies with a part-time job? If so, what are your opinions? A...

Hello, My name is Leon Pierre, and I am a physics major . I want to double major both in physics and math. My main goal is to be a mathematical physicists , who works in the fields dealing with electromagnetism and quantum mechanics. I am trying to figure out which topics of mathematics am I to...

I am studying Applied Physics at the undergraduate level right now, and I have recently become interested in Systems and Control Engineering. I am working in a student robotics lab, and do a lot of SCE (Systems and Control Engineering) - related work there. I understand that SCE has direct...

I am entering my second year in college, and I am thinking about majoring physics with an emphasis in astrophysics. If I were to go to graduate school in astrophysics, which minor would best complement a physics major? Mathematics? Computer Science? Or maybe even statistics? If I were to...

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum.Looking forward for being an active member here. I am from India, and have recently graduated from High School. I wanted to study medicine, and but did not score good marks in the entrance test.My second choice was to study pure science and do research...

Hello, I currently hold a B.S. in Physics with a minor in Mathematics, but personally felt that to be more prepared for a job in industry, I would need to obtain a Master's degree, so I went through the whole graduate school application process, got into graduate school, and just recently...

Ok, so I am just finishing my AA as a physics major and on the fence about two different universities to finish my BS. One of them is more well recognized as far as physics goes (University of Florida). However, being a non-traditional student, it would put me a substantial distance away from...

Don't get me wrong, I'm all about research. I've been doing physics research for two years (not much, in the grand scheme of things), but I love it. I love programming which is mind-numbingly boring to most people, I love solving equations, I love being able to understand the universe around us...

All, Do you think that it would be possible for me design my own curriculum and teach myself all of undergraduate physics and the appropriate level math in a year potentially? I know that I will have to work lots of problems to become really good at the content. I was also thinking about taking...

I am a physics major with a math minor. I only have to take two more math classes after this semester to finish my minor. I'd like to know which classes would be most beneficial for me. I've taken: Calc I Calc II Calc III Diff Eq Linear Algebra Differential Geometry Courses that I can take...

My university offers an Applied Physics major with seven specialties: atmospheric physics, chemical physics, computational physics, geophysics, materials science, physical electronics or physical oceanography. I could also pursue a B.S./M.S. degree in electrical engineering if I choose the...

I just finished up calc II this semester. So far, seems fairly easy and I got an A no problem. However, there was a lot of material in each of the chapters that we didn't cover as well as more difficult problems in the sections that we didn't work on. Our professor told us it really isn't...

Hi guys. I'm an education major. I'm about to transfer to a university where I was planning on getting my undergraduate degree in education with a concentration in English. However, both my uncle and my dad were great at math. My uncle was accepted into a highly prestigious college for...

Hey, I am a physics major who just found out he needs to stay another year before graduating. Have people done more than one REU?

I'm a junior majoring in physics and I'm pretty interested in finance. I'm still considering going to grad school in geology (though I'm leaning towards finance) and I'm planning to intern in finance this summer. I go to a target school for the bulge bracket banks and for quite a few prop shops...

Hi, I am in my last year of high school and am looking at different (Canadian) physics programs. The programs that I am looking at all have an option to do multiple co-op placements and I am not sure as to whether it is worth it to graduate a year later but with work experience. At this point...

I've recently stumbled upon this thread and one of the replies says that physicist tend to be more smarter/well rounded then mathematicians. In your opinion, who's more well rounded?

Should I take modern physics and classical mechanics in the same semester? Or is that a bad idea. And my concerns are mostly about needing to understand stuff from modern to understand classical. Thank you

I just started at my four year university, after doing my AA at a community college simply to save some money and get my gen ed requirements out of the way as much as I could. However, the university I started at has a language requirement in order to graduate. I only have to take 2 semesters...

If I was to major in physics in college, could I get a job in applied physics? If yes, would I need my PhD?

I've been annoying myself with this buzzing in my head all summer and posting questions about what major to choose here almost every day! I'm so confused what to do when it comes to my major. I love physics and I'm taking AP Physics B online this year. I watch all these physics shows on TV all...

If I majored in physics would I have the qualifications to work with technology? I like physics very much and sometimes want to research but mostly I want to work with technology and find ways to make it better. Is it smart to think of a major in physics and maybe double major or minor? Or...

Hey everyone, I'm wondering if, as a physics major, I should take labs with all of my other science classes as well? I'm taking a one year sequence in general chemistry over the next two semesters, which has a mandatory lab component. My main question pertains to biology. I'm going to be...

Hi, so I'm a junior pursuing a B.S in physics but I'm thinking that might not be enough to make me competitive. So I am thinking about minoring in mechanical engineering to make me more competitive. The thing is I'm not sure if it will even matter in the job market. I want to wait a bit to...

Hello, As stated in the title, I've just completed a first year in physics and am interested in working in the field of laser science. Bear with me, as my questions may sound naive. Ideally, I would like to hear from those currently in the field, but any advice is welcome. 1.) Did you begin...

Hey hi hello there. Incoming freshmen physics major here. I'm staring my first year of undergrad school and I'm majoring in physics but I have to spend my first year just taking math courses and I won't be able to take a physics course until my second year. Did anyone else on here go through this?