Do Physics Majors Have Lower Ave. GPA than other Science Majors?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perceived difficulty of physics as a major compared to other science majors, particularly in relation to GPA outcomes for students aiming for medical school. Participants explore the implications of majoring in physics on academic performance and medical school admissions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern that majoring in physics may lead to a lower GPA compared to biology or chemistry, questioning the average GPA for physics students.
  • Another participant challenges the meaning of "average GPA" for physics students, suggesting that it may vary significantly between universities.
  • Some participants argue that students often choose easier courses to boost their GPAs, while others emphasize the importance of personal interest in the subject matter for academic success.
  • A participant mentions that physics majors tend to have higher MCAT scores, suggesting a potential advantage despite lower GPAs.
  • Concerns are raised about the difficulty of upper division courses in physics, with anecdotal claims about low average test scores in classes like quantum mechanics.
  • Another participant points out that grading can vary widely based on professors and that averages in one course do not necessarily reflect the overall experience in a major.
  • Some participants note that many students choose biology with the misconception that it is easier, which may affect the average GPA in that field.
  • There is a discussion about the subjective nature of difficulty in majors, with one participant arguing that perceptions of difficulty can lead to erroneous conclusions about GPA outcomes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether physics majors have lower GPAs than other science majors. Multiple competing views are presented regarding the relationship between major choice, personal interest, and academic performance.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that GPA outcomes can depend heavily on individual universities, professors, and course structures, leading to a lack of definitive conclusions about average GPAs across different majors.

Stochastic13
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I plan to attend medical school and need to have a high GPA in order to get in. I want to major in physics, but think that because physics is the hardest science my GPA will suffer. Does anyone who has taken upper division classes know what the average GPA for a physics student is and how does it compare to other sciences like bio or chemistry?
 
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What meaning would you glean from an "average GPA" for a physics student?
 
And to add, what meaning would you glean from an "average GPA" for a physics student at a different university?
 
Some people applying to medical school will play an academic game whereby they take what they perceive to be the easiest courses possible and try to manipulate the system as much as they can to maximize their marks without any regard for the actual education they receive. A handful of these students will be successful in getting into medical school.

Others will take whatever program they find interesting and excel because they enjoy the material and rise to the challenges presented to them and get into medical school.

Even if you have some data to answer this question, it likely won't make much difference to you as an individual, because what matters is your own performance. Would you do better in a course that challenges you in a subject that you enjoy? Or would you do better in a course that isn't your first choice, but you think might be easier than other options? And how much would it suck to find out something you thought was easy, that you don't enjoy, is actually hard?
 
Well for one I expect Physics GPA so be lower than Biology, on average. I don't know about you but I would personally fail biology simply because its bores the living hell out of me (at least at the lower level that it is taught). I also wouldn't want to be doing 4 years in a degree I wouldn't like.


Also if average GPAs were infact lower, I'd expect Medical Schools to notice that and to look favorably at the fact that the undergraduate degree is in Physics.

Physics majors also average higher MCAT scores. (my source for this is a little chart in the physics department, so don't ask specifics)
 
Chunkysalsa said:
Well for one I expect Physics GPA so be lower than Biology, on average. I don't know about you but I would personally fail biology simply because its bores the living hell out of me (at least at the lower level that it is taught). I also wouldn't want to be doing 4 years in a degree I wouldn't like.
Curiously, these two links suggest otherwise:
- http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/uc-transfers/900945-average-gpa-graduating-students-major.html"
- http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-m...nd-worst-college-majors-for-top-grades/1878/"

As for OP's predicament, I have to agree with all the other posters here. If you're not going to listen to them, though, best of luck in education, I guess :smile:
 
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That's pretty interesting. However in my experience there are a ton of biology students, especially premeds. a lot of them are complete failures that bring the average down.

Either way it doesn't matter lol
 
"That's pretty interesting. However in my experience there are a ton of biology students, especially premeds. a lot of them are complete failures that bring the average down."

I think that is definitely true. A ton of freshmen choose to take biology over most other sciences, thinking it will be easier, and/or they are looking to become doctors (because everyone wants to be a doctor)! Then, they realize that memorization skills and drinking at parties every night do not go well together. Most people who choose physics probably have a little confidence in their math/science background, and thus score higher grades.
 
The thing is that I enjoy bio and physics I just heard horror stories about upper division courses like quantum mechanics. Some say that the average on the tests was 40% is that right?
 
  • #10
Stochastic13 said:
The thing is that I enjoy bio and physics I just heard horror stories about upper division courses like quantum mechanics. Some say that the average on the tests was 40% is that right?

What do you mean is that right? We don't go to your university. Also, professors from universities don't gather test scores in a massive international database so that such questions can be answered. If you like physics, why are you planning on going to med school?
 
  • #11
Stochastic13 said:
Some say that the average on the tests was 40% is that right?


So? Have you never heard of scaling?

I know engineers that have gotten 30% on a final and an A in the course.

40% average on an exam isn't indicative of the grade.


From experience, if you choose a major/field/career based on money and/or ease, you will be miserable.
 
  • #12
Stochastic13 said:
The thing is that I enjoy bio and physics I just heard horror stories about upper division courses like quantum mechanics. Some say that the average on the tests was 40% is that right?

I am nearly certain that is true for some class at some university taught by some professor. It is also most likely true that for some other class at some other university taught by some other professor, the average on tests is in the 90's. None of this has any relevance to what the mean will be in your class, at your university, taught by your professor.

I want to major in physics, but think that because physics is the hardest science my GPA will suffer.

That's like saying jazz is the hardest music to play, or Russian is the hardest language to speak. It's completely subjective, and thinking about it in those terms is going to lead you to erroneous conclusions. (Unless, of course, you happen to know that the professor who always teaches QM is a horrible teacher who delights in giving impossible exams with no curve. But that's not the impression I'm getting from you.)
 
  • #13
Grades depend on professors really.

My intro physics I had an average of around 50% with a pass rate around that. This semester in physics 2, I actually have a good professor and the average is usually in the 60%s


I've also heard similar things in the bio department as well. Upper level Genetics is quite hard at our university. General Chemistry 2 is used as a weeder and produces some low averages as well. (though physics majors also have to take that class).

Every university and professor will produce different results. There are plenty of hard classes in both programs. Hard subjects become easy if you are actually interested and look forward to studying. So pick what you want.
 
  • #14
OK, I guess I'll go with the flow and see where it leads me.
 

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