- #1
SrVishi
- 75
- 15
Hello, I am soon going to attend college though I am helplessly undecided between majoring in either physics or mathematics. I find them both ever so enticing and feel that it is like deciding between two identical Italian sports cars that only differ in color; and they both happen to be two of your favorite colors. (sorry for the stupid analogy =P). I have tried to list the pros of each that are unique and different from the other to help but to no avail. I am going to list them below and I would greatly appreciate if you can give your opinion on them and ultimately help me put an end to this.
Pros for physics:
1) I really like science and mathematics and I used to feel that this would be the perfect major since it really is a combination of both.
2) I am led to believe that (I'm not sure if this is true so correct me if I am wrong) it would be "easier" to get into physics graduate school than mathematics graduate school since there seems to be more undergraduate research opportunities.
3) Physics interests me since it is the most fundamental science and I am a sucker for quantum mechanics/astronomy/nuclear physics/etc and would love to engage in research (more specifically theoretical physics).
Pros for mathematics:
1) I think it would be a much more organized/less stressful/more streamlined major since I would be attending just math courses instead of learning math and physics simultaneously as a physics student; which I have a feeling can become a bit overwhelming (correct me if I am wrong).
2) Direct mathematics interests me just as much physics and I would equally like to engage in either pure or applied mathematics research.
3) Math is very fundamental and theoretical as well; which I am a fan of.
Pros for physics:
1) I really like science and mathematics and I used to feel that this would be the perfect major since it really is a combination of both.
2) I am led to believe that (I'm not sure if this is true so correct me if I am wrong) it would be "easier" to get into physics graduate school than mathematics graduate school since there seems to be more undergraduate research opportunities.
3) Physics interests me since it is the most fundamental science and I am a sucker for quantum mechanics/astronomy/nuclear physics/etc and would love to engage in research (more specifically theoretical physics).
Pros for mathematics:
1) I think it would be a much more organized/less stressful/more streamlined major since I would be attending just math courses instead of learning math and physics simultaneously as a physics student; which I have a feeling can become a bit overwhelming (correct me if I am wrong).
2) Direct mathematics interests me just as much physics and I would equally like to engage in either pure or applied mathematics research.
3) Math is very fundamental and theoretical as well; which I am a fan of.