Physics with computer science versus Physics.

[HermitOfThebes]

I am definitely interested in physics, I love it and I love doing it, but I am afraid a PhD in physics might not be enough for me to a land a decent job, by decent I mean enjoyable for me. I am very fond of programming, I know computer science is not just programming but I love programming and I love problem solving so I thought maybe if I do physics and computer physics, I would more easily get a job in networking/security/tech design, would this be correct? is a physics with computer science degree more valuable than a pure physics degree when it comes to employment in the computer world? Thanks.

 

[jtbell]

Having a double major in physics and CS would probably give you more options than a plain physics major, if you can fit in all the courses for both. If you can't manage a double major, you can still take enough CS courses to make it strongly visible on your academic record, and do projects in connection with physics, or on your own.

I like programming a lot, too, but my undergraduate college didn't have a CS major 40 years ago, just a couple of courses in Fortran programming. I did a lot of programming on my own (both in Fortran and in assembly language on two different kinds of computers), and did my Ph.D. in experimental particle physics where I spent all my time programming. I ended up getting a teaching-oriented position at a small college where I taught both physics and intro CS courses for many years. If I hadn't gotten a teaching job, I probably would have become a programmer.