Quantum Mechanics: Physics vs Chemistry Program?

[espen180]

Let's say I want to study quantum mechanics. More spesifically, the quantum mechanical aspects of chemistry. As I see it, there are two ways to approach this.

1) Enroll in a chemistry program and take physics courses
2) Enroll in a physics program and take chemistry courses

Are these equivalent in terms of material? I am afraid that if I choose a chemistry program, the physical depth and academic rigour will suffer, and that if I choose a physics program, the chemistry content will suffer.

 

[Choppy]

You might want to look into physical chemistry programs, or perhaps a double major.

Also, remember that first year science programs are more-or-less generic. So regardless of which path you take, provided you cover your bases as far as prerequisites go, you shouldn't have too much of a problem jumping from one path to another.

 

[czelaya]

Double majoring in both programs, depending on the school, shouldn't be very difficult.

Chemistry programs that offer a B.S. require 10-13 hours of calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and math electives. Many of the math requirements overlap for both degrees. Furthermore many schools now have sub specialties in chemistry (like physical chemistry and chemical physics) at the undergraduate level that requires more math and physics courses. The same could be said for specialties through the physics department (such as chemical physics). Many times, departments are flexible on which courses to take to fulfill academic requirements. Some chemistry departments allow students to take quantum mechanics through the physics department instead.

You may want to investigate the physics route further, especially if you’re planning on attending graduate school. Other options that you may be interested in, at the graduate level, include solid state physics.

 

[DrummingAtom]

I'm torn between Physics and Chemistry also. I would rather major in Physics, but take some courses in Chemistry to branch out some. So far, from the little I've learned, Materials Science, Condensed Matter Physics, and Optics is where my interest lies. Which Chemistry courses would complement those interests? Also I'm interested in Experimental and want to end up in Industry. Thanks.

 

[HeLiXe]

I'm double majoring in physics and chemistry...there's not much difference so far as the amt of classes you are required to take...for general chemistry anyways, the university I will be attending also offers a materials chemistry track and double majoring in that would take an additional year and a half.

 

[lisab]

I started in chemistry, then was a physics/chem double major, ended up with just physics. What killed my idea of a double major: the labs...sooo many labs, they were just time sinks.

 

[HeLiXe]

Here's what it looks like for me...I hope this isn't too much but I just wanted to show that there's not much difference in double majoring in my case:
Here are the reqs for physics:
# CHM 2045C 4.0 General Chemistry I (CHM 1040/1041, or CHM 1045E may be substituted for CHM 2045C)
# CHM 2046C 4.0 General Chemistry II (CHM 1046E may be substituted for CHM 2046C)
# MAC 2311 4.0 G(M) Calculus I
# MAC 2312 4.0 G(M) Calculus II
# MAC 2313 4.0 G(M) Calculus III
# PHY 2048 4.0 Calculus-based Physics I
# PHY 2048L 1.0 Calculus-based Physics I Laboratory
# PHY 2049 4.0 Calculus-based Physics II
# PHY 2049L 1.0 Calculus-based Physics II Laboratory
* MAP 2302 3.0 G(M)Ordinary Differential Equations
* COP 2200 3.0 Introduction to Fortran Programming
* COP 2220 3.0 Introduction to C
* PHY 3101 3.0 Modern Physics
* PHY 3101L 1.0 Modern Physics Laboratory
* PHZ 3113 3.0 Mathematical Physics
* PHY 3220 4.0 Classical Mechanics
* PHY 3323 4.0 Electricity/Magnetism
* PHY 3424 3.0 Optics
* PHY 3722C 4.0 Electronics For Scientists
* PHY 4604 4.0 Quantum Mechanics
* PHY 4523 4.0 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
* PHY 4802L 2.0 Advanced Physics Laboratory
* PHY 4910 1.0 Physics Research *PHY 3722 and PHY 3722L must be taken concurrently.
Major Electives (3 SEMESTER HOURS)
Free Electives (3000-4000 Level) (17 SEMESTER HOURS)

And these are the additional classes I need to take to double major in chemistry:
BSC 1010C General Biology I 4
CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHM 2210L Organic Chemistry I Lab. 1
CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry II 3
CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry II Lab. 1
CHM 3120C Quantitative Analytical Chemistry 4 credits
CHM 4410C Physical Chemistry I 4
CHM 4411C Physical Chemistry II 4
CHM 3610 Inorganic Chemistry 3
CHM 3610L Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 1
BCH 4033 Biochemistry 3
CHM 4130C Modern Analytical Chemistry 4
CHM 4931 Senior Seminar 1

So considering the free electives under the physics track, I'll have to take only 6 extra classes or so

 

[espen180]

My problem with the chemistry courses so far has been with the fact that they are too qualitative. Physics also has a lot of mathematics courses chemistry lacks.

The advisor at the faculty said that he favored the physics degree, while others were undecided.

 

[DrummingAtom]

My problem with the chemistry courses so far has been with the fact that they are too qualitative. Physics also has a lot of mathematics courses chemistry lacks.

The advisor at the faculty said that he favored the physics degree, while others were undecided.

What about skills gained from your Chemistry classes? Lab techniques, experiment set up, etc. Do Chemistry classes dive into these skills?

A lot of Physics jobs seem geared toward programming and possibly Engineering. Which you don't seem to study much as a Physics major, which is why I want to grab up some "skills" classes. The last thing I want is to graduate with just a degree and no marketable skills.

I understand that there are many skills associated with a Physics degree, but most are so incredibly vague such as problem solving, critical thinking, etc. It seems a English major could also put those skills on a resume too, which is my reason for branching out to other fields. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[DrDu]

Espen, I studied chemistry myself and then went for my PhD to physics. If you are mainly interested in computational chemistry, I strongly urge you to study physics. In physics you will learn both the mathematical and physical concepts you'll need for doing any kind of quantum chemical or molecular dynamical simulation. Obviously it is fine to have some idea about the chemistry involved but this is much easier to learn in self-study than the other way round.