- #1
Adventurer
- 9
- 0
Hello all,
I've seen variants of this question posted, but I have a few different circumstances I'd like to ask about, so thank you for your patience in allowing me to post it again :)
In the fall, I will be a senior physics major and will have 3 semesters (will probably be taking an extra one so that's why the 3) to go until I graduate with a BS in physics and mathematics. My question is this: should I go after a double major, or will minoring in math be sufficient?
I am not sure of my future plans, but I know I would like to at least attempt to get a masters in some type of physics. I do know I am not interested (at this stage of life anyway) in going into a teaching career. How much good would double majoring do on an application for grad school? I have asked numerous people in (and outside of) the physics and math departments, and can not really get a straight answer as to how much good the double major would do.
I have already satisfied all of the math minor requirements; to get a major I would need 5 additional courses as follows:
Abstract algebra (re-take)
Real Analysis
3 electives
(most likely Complex Analysis, Discrete Mathematics II, and an upper level Statistics course)
Doing the math major would just really cramp my schedule, and I honestly don't enjoy most of the upper level math. I have good grades in physics (nothing below a B) and good grades in core classes. I have varying grades in math. If it's physics-ish math, I do alright. If it's the so called "pure math", not so much. Abstract algebra is the only course I've ever failed (I escaped that one with a D).
So in short , I could make the math major work, but it would really make for an awful last 3 semesters, and it could potentially hurt my GPA (which Is right at a 3.0 right now. I know, I need to bring it up.)
Any help or insight is extremely appreciated. Thanks!
I've seen variants of this question posted, but I have a few different circumstances I'd like to ask about, so thank you for your patience in allowing me to post it again :)
In the fall, I will be a senior physics major and will have 3 semesters (will probably be taking an extra one so that's why the 3) to go until I graduate with a BS in physics and mathematics. My question is this: should I go after a double major, or will minoring in math be sufficient?
I am not sure of my future plans, but I know I would like to at least attempt to get a masters in some type of physics. I do know I am not interested (at this stage of life anyway) in going into a teaching career. How much good would double majoring do on an application for grad school? I have asked numerous people in (and outside of) the physics and math departments, and can not really get a straight answer as to how much good the double major would do.
I have already satisfied all of the math minor requirements; to get a major I would need 5 additional courses as follows:
Abstract algebra (re-take)
Real Analysis
3 electives
(most likely Complex Analysis, Discrete Mathematics II, and an upper level Statistics course)
Doing the math major would just really cramp my schedule, and I honestly don't enjoy most of the upper level math. I have good grades in physics (nothing below a B) and good grades in core classes. I have varying grades in math. If it's physics-ish math, I do alright. If it's the so called "pure math", not so much. Abstract algebra is the only course I've ever failed (I escaped that one with a D).
So in short , I could make the math major work, but it would really make for an awful last 3 semesters, and it could potentially hurt my GPA (which Is right at a 3.0 right now. I know, I need to bring it up.)
Any help or insight is extremely appreciated. Thanks!
