A taste of Physics and Computer Science

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparison between Physics and Computer Science as fields of study, particularly focusing on the participants' experiences and perceptions regarding the difficulty, mathematical intensity, and excitement of each discipline. Participants explore concepts that may influence a decision to switch majors from Physics to Computer Science.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express that first-year undergraduate Physics can be boring and may not reflect the excitement portrayed in popular science media.
  • There is a consensus that Physics is highly math-intensive and challenging, with some participants suggesting that the excitement of the field is subjective and varies by individual interest.
  • One participant notes that many Physics graduates do not end up in academia, with estimates suggesting around 20% pursue academic careers.
  • Another participant argues that Computer Science also involves significant mathematical concepts, and one cannot avoid math in either field.
  • Some participants believe that the mathematical content in Computer Science is less interesting compared to that in Physics.
  • There is a discussion about the perception that significant discoveries in Physics often occur at advanced levels, while in Computer Science, a Bachelor's or Master's degree may suffice for engaging work.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that both Physics and Computer Science are challenging and math-intensive, but they express differing views on the nature of the math involved and the excitement of each field. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of popular science literature on students' perceptions and decisions.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference personal experiences and perceptions that may not be universally applicable, indicating a reliance on subjective interpretations of the disciplines. There are also varying definitions of what constitutes "physics-related" jobs, which may affect the discussion on career paths.

Yashbhatt
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Hello.

This is a follow up question of this thread:
(https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/confused-between-physics-and-computer-science.884599/page-3)

I have always been interested in Physics since high school but I found first year undergraduate Physics very boring and I think I may have been misled by PopSci articles/videos about what actual Physics is like.

As a result, I am thinking about changing my major to Computer Science. So, can you guys tell me about some concepts or anything(in Physics or CS) that might help me figure out if I will be interested in it at a later stage or not?

Thanks.
 
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Well, what do you think you know about what higher level physics is like? What are you suspecting PopSci has mislead you about?
 
TJGilb said:
Well, what do you think you know about what higher level physics is like? What are you suspecting PopSci has mislead you about?

I think it's definitely not as easy at it look and the exciting moments are much less as compared to shown in the media. Also, it involves a hell lot of math.
 
That I can confirm. Physics is probably the most math intensive discipline outside mathematics itself. And it is certainly very hard. But I'd say it is worth it. Whether or not it is exciting is really up to what interests you. Personally I find learning about how the universe works to be exciting. Though it wouldn't be right to judge off of first year physics before you've even touched quantum, relativity, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism.
 
TJGilb said:
That I can confirm. Physics is probably the most math intensive discipline outside mathematics itself. And it is certainly very hard. But I'd say it is worth it. Whether or not it is exciting is really up to what interests you. Personally I find learning about how the universe works to be exciting. Though it wouldn't be right to judge off of first year physics before you've even touched quantum, relativity, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism.

Also, I have read that there are very few physics related jobs and most physicists migrate to other fields. Is that true?
 
Depends on how broadly you define "physics related".
 
TJGilb said:
Depends on how broadly you define "physics related".
Academia?
 
Yashbhatt said:
Academia?
What do think you won't get Maths in CS ?
CS is less programming and more Maths.
You can't run from Maths.
 
Buffu said:
What do think you won't get Maths in CS ?
CS is less programming and more Maths.
You can't run from Maths.

I know that. I don't hate math. I quite like it. But the amount of math in CS is a lot less than Physics.
 
  • #10
Yashbhatt said:
Academia?

I can't remember the site, but there are statistics on where Physics grads go after earning their degree. I believe it also depends on whether you go for a PhD or not. But yes, most don't end up in academia, I think somewhere around 20% do.
 
  • #11
Can we use this thread as the poster child on why one should never make any serious decision or conclusion based on what one reads in pop-science books?

Zz.
 
  • #12
ZapperZ said:
Can we use this thread as the poster child on why one should never make any serious decision or conclusion based on what one reads in pop-science books?

Zz.

I love how it gets people interested in science, but it definitely misleads people into thinking they know more than they do.
 
  • #13
ZapperZ said:
Can we use this thread as the poster child on why one should never make any serious decision or conclusion based on what one reads in pop-science books?

Zz.

To be clear, I actually did read actual books with equations(University Physics, HR etc.) but realized that that much is just the beginning and the road ahead is really long.
 
  • #14
Yashbhatt said:
To be clear, I actually did read actual books with equations(University Physics, HR etc.) but realized that that much is just the beginning and the road ahead is really long.

I think you got a wrong idea about CS. If you think Physics is too difficult then the same goes for CS, learning algorithms and data structures is not easy as you think.
Maths in CS is less interesting as compared to Physics.
 
  • #15
Buffu said:
I think you got a wrong idea about CS. If you think Physics is too difficult then the same goes for CS, learning algorithms and data structures is not easy as you think.
Maths in CS is less interesting as compared to Physics.

Okay. As per what I read online, interesting things in Physics are only done at the post-doc level while in CS a Bachelors or Masters is enough.
 

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