Current Mathematics Major; Extra Year for Physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the considerations of a mathematics major contemplating an additional year to pursue a physics major. Participants explore the implications of this decision on graduate school prospects, GPA concerns, and personal interests in the fields of mathematics and physics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that if the student can afford an extra year, it may be beneficial to improve their GPA, although they question whether physics is the best choice for that purpose.
  • Another participant identifies the student's GPA as a potential red flag for graduate school applications and emphasizes the importance of decisiveness regarding their academic path.
  • Some participants argue that double majoring in physics may not significantly enhance graduate school applications, particularly for math-focused programs, and suggest that time could be better spent on graduate-level math courses.
  • There is a discussion about the perception of a GPA of 3.0, with one participant stating it is the minimum for consideration by many graduate programs, while another questions whether this is truly considered poor.
  • One participant expresses that the beauty of physics parallels that of mathematics, indicating a personal interest in the subject despite the academic concerns raised.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the decision should ultimately reflect the student's personal goals and interests, rather than solely focusing on program requirements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the value of pursuing a physics major alongside a mathematics degree, the implications for graduate school applications, and the importance of GPA. There is no consensus on whether double majoring is beneficial or the best use of time.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight various assumptions about graduate school expectations, the relevance of physics to math programs, and the subjective nature of academic success. The discussion reflects a range of personal experiences and opinions regarding academic paths.

MPKU
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This might a lot to digest, but I would be forever appreciative if someone with knowledge could offer any advice pertaining to my future plans:

Currently I'm majoring in Mathematics in state university. I'm have two more semesters worth of college and am due to graduate May 13. Last year I took Physics I & II (requirement, I didn't take Calc-based ones because I got stuck b/c the Calc version was filled ) and discovered I wanted to learn so much more about it. I decided immediately to declare a minor, and they said I should not have a problem with the non-Calc physics to swap for the Calc if I wanted to pursue it. Well now, I really want to major in it. Would this be worth it?

With that being said, my Math degree is pretty much finished (Have a 2.98, hopefully will end with 3 in major), just need Topology & Diff Eq. and I would need to take 3 Physics classes for the next four semesters.

And... further more I ultimately want to go to graduate school for math or physics, and how would double-majoring affect this?

Thanks,
Billy
 
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If you can afford an extra year it's worth it just to pull that GPA out of 2. land. Still, physics probably isn't what you would want to take to do that.
 
If the ultimate goal is to go to graduate school, you should try your best to fix two red flags I see. You GPA is poor and you seem very undecided. You haven't study any physics, yet you are considering it for grad school.

If you end up going to grad school for math, then the extra time spent at university would be better spent sitting for graduate level math courses. Though I don't think double majoring ever hurts anyone, it's just you can always spend that time elsewhere.
 
theorem4.5.9 said:
If the ultimate goal is to go to graduate school, you should try your best to fix two red flags I see. You GPA is poor and you seem very undecided. You haven't study any physics, yet you are considering it for grad school.

If you end up going to grad school for math, then the extra time spent at university would be better spent sitting for graduate level math courses. Though I don't think double majoring ever hurts anyone, it's just you can always spend that time elsewhere.

Well, I took Physics I & II and I've read up on other subjects as well. It has the same beauty as mathematics.

As for my GPA it will be at least a 3 next semester, is that really considered poor in Grad school terms ?
 
MPKU said:
Well, I took Physics I & II and I've read up on other subjects as well. It has the same beauty as mathematics.

As for my GPA it will be at least a 3 next semester, is that really considered poor in Grad school terms ?

A 3 is the bare minimum. Most grad schools won't even consider you if you have less than a 3.
 
If you end up going to grad school for math, then the extra time spent at university would be better spent sitting for graduate level math courses.

I disagree; depends on your goals/interests.
 
homeomorphic said:
I disagree; depends on your goals/interests.
Not even applied math programs care much for a physics background, let alone an entire major in it. At best the OP may decide to go into mathematical physics, where if offered from a math department (my original assumption) a background in physics still wouldn't be as good as have taken certain math courses. Take for example gauge theory, most mathematicians would rather the student know some algebraic topology and differential geometry at the grad level.

Lastly there's at least one more benefit for grad classes. It gives the admission committee some assurance that you can handle a graduate course load which gives them more faith that you can pass your quals.
 
Not even applied math programs care much for a physics background, let alone an entire major in it.

I don't know what programs care for. But that's not the only question. What do YOU care for? Not just the program. Perhaps, it's this attitude of mine that has lead to my relative failure in grad school, but for some, "failure" in the eyes of the system is a sacrifice worth making, as it is much better to "fail" in the eyes of the system than to fail yourself.
 

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