Is a Minor Required for My Physics Degree?

  • Context: Programs 
  • Thread starter Thread starter leroyjenkens
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Minor
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on whether a minor is required for a physics degree, exploring the necessity and implications of choosing a minor, particularly in relation to fulfilling degree requirements and personal interests.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that a minor is not required for their physics degree and suggests that minors are typically chosen to fill class slots and broaden knowledge.
  • Another participant mentions that some colleges may require a minor, but they do not recall any such requirement for physics specifically.
  • A different contributor emphasizes the need to check with one's college, noting that a minor is required for some majors but not for physics.
  • One participant shares their experience of double-majoring in physics and math, indicating that their schedule was filled without needing a minor.
  • Another participant advises consulting an advisor or the college catalog, pointing out that the requirements can vary significantly between institutions.
  • One participant confirms that their school requires a minor, but notes that the math classes in the physics program satisfy the math minor requirement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of a minor, with some asserting it is not required while others indicate that requirements can vary by institution. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific requirements at different colleges.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the variability of minor requirements across different colleges and the lack of specific information about the participant's institution.

leroyjenkens
Messages
621
Reaction score
49
My major is physics, and I haven't chosen a minor, but is one required? I would probably choose Chinese as my minor, but in my degree evaluation, it just lists the requirements for my major. I have a section called "free electives" and only upper level classes will fill that section, so most of the Chinese classes wouldn't fill that section, they would just count as extra classes that I took that don't count towards the degree.
So again, is a minor required? And what's the point of having one if it doesn't count towards the degree?
Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
A Minor is absolutely NOT required. People generally take a minor to fill class slots each year and expand their knowledge base, but it is by no means necessary.
 
Some colleges might require you to declare a minor, although I don't remember hearing about any. Check your college's website or printed catalog to make sure.

I didn't have one myself, but I double-majored in physics and math, which (together with my gen ed requirements) pretty much filled up my schedule. I had room for a few odds and ends like an extra German course and one on the history of the English language.
 
You need to check with your college. At my school, a minor is required for some majors. Not for physics, though. I think the point is to have a more diverse education.
 
Ask your advisor or consult your college's course catalog. At some schools, it can be tricky to obtain a minor; at others, it isn't possible to graduate without one.
 
Our school requires a minor. But, taking the math classes in our physics program is more than enough to fulfill the math minor requirement.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
9K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K