Job Skills Physics and Math or Physics and CS

[Josh0768]

For a physics major who plans to enter graduate school, would it be more worthwhile to use elective space on extra math courses or extra programming and computer science courses?

 

[Orodruin]

That depends on what you are planning to do for your research.

 

[Locrian]

Do us all a favor and get some programming experience so we don't have to hear about it later.

 

[symbolipoint]

For a physics major who plans to enter graduate school, would it be more worthwhile to use elective space on extra math courses or extra programming and computer science courses?

YES.

 

[CrysPhys]

For a physics major who plans to enter graduate school, would it be more worthwhile to use elective space on extra math courses or extra programming and computer science courses?

(1) As mentioned, a lot depends on what your grad school plans are (which you may not know at this point). Most of my classmates chose electives in math or EE. I knew going in as a freshman undergrad that I wanted eventually to pursue grad research in experimental solid-state physics, so I chose many electives in materials science and engineering.

(2) A lot also depends on how much math is already required for your physics major; many physics programs have a complement of math courses as requirements for core physics courses. Additional math may be useful (or required) for specialized physics electives. Some recent programs also have required computer courses. If computer courses are not required, make sure you take some as electives.

 

[Zap]

Obviously, the minor in CS will help you much more than a minor in mathematics. It is very common for physics majors to get a minor in mathematics, because that's pretty easy to do when you already take a bunch of math classes, and it will help you to understand physics a little better. However, minoring in computer science will provide you with additional skills that not every physicist has. We can assume you are already pretty good at math, since you're a physicist. Why not acquire some additional skills?