Schools Can I Apply for Math Grad School with a Double Major in Physics?

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When considering graduate school applications in mathematics or theoretical physics, having a strong foundation in mathematics is crucial. A major in theoretical physics, particularly one that includes significant math coursework, can qualify a student for math graduate programs, provided they meet the necessary prerequisites. Essential courses include group/ring/field theory, general topology, and analysis topics like complex variables and functional analysis. Historical examples, such as Edward Witten, illustrate that diverse academic backgrounds can lead to successful applications, emphasizing that meeting prerequisite requirements is more important than the specific major. For those still early in their undergraduate studies, focusing on building a solid math foundation is advisable rather than stressing over graduate school decisions prematurely.
bignum
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I am just wondering this because I have not set on what to do for graduate school. Now if I go for theoretical physics and study Math and Physics, when it is time for me to apply to grad school, will I get to apply to a math grad school or will they not let me because my major is "theoretical physics (math and physics major)" and not "math major"
 
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If you have a good understanding of math, you should get in. Ideally, you want to take courses in group/ring/field theory, general topology, and a couple of courses in analysis, such as complex variables, functional analysis, and measure theory. These will give you a good background to take grad courses in mathematics and should complement your physics as well.
 


Well Edward Witten got into grad school in physics and he was an English major. It doesn't really matter as long as you have the prerequisites they expect.
 


eof said:
Well Edward Witten got into grad school in physics and he was an English major. It doesn't really matter as long as you have the prerequisites they expect.

I thought he got a bachelor in history before he started physics
 


^ with a minor in linguistics (according to Wikipedia).
 


bignum said:
I am just wondering this because I have not set on what to do for graduate school.
You aren't even a first-year undergrad (says this post), I don't think you should worry too much about this stuff. If you major in math and physics, then in particular you major in math. It's that simple.
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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