Should I Double Major in Computer Science & Physics?

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
4 replies · 2K views
Jacob T Anderson
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Hello, I really want a major in Computation Physics but I don't think my University has a class. Should I instead go into a double major in Computer Science & Physics? Or should I go into physics at all? I live in Iowa so it's not the best location for jobs in physics.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
For your undergraduate studies it's usually best not to specialize too early. Most physics programs will have some kind of introduction to computational methods course. If you couple that with a computational thesis project and take courses from the computer science department as needed that should be sufficient to get you where you want to be.

You can double major if you want, but the consequences are that you could end up taking some courses you don't want to take just to meet the degree requirement and you'll have less room for other electives. Look at the specific coursework that's involved and see if the second major fits with the stuff you think you'll enjoy learning about. On the "pro" side, more computer science courses may open up more doors in the working world for you, once you leave academia.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: DeBangis21, StatGuy2000, marcusl and 2 others
Choppy said:
For your undergraduate studies it's usually best not to specialize too early. Most physics programs will have some kind of introduction to computational methods course. If you couple that with a computational thesis project and take courses from the computer science department as needed that should be sufficient to get you where you want to be.

You can double major if you want, but the consequences are that you could end up taking some courses you don't want to take just to meet the degree requirement and you'll have less room for other electives. Look at the specific coursework that's involved and see if the second major fits with the stuff you think you'll enjoy learning about. On the "pro" side, more computer science courses may open up more doors in the working world for you, once you leave academia.

Choppy has given excellent advice. Somehow clicking the LIKE button was not enough. I heartily second what he said!
 
Dr. Courtney said:
Choppy has given excellent advice. Somehow clicking the LIKE button was not enough. I heartily second what he said!
If that is so, I will click the LIKE button myself, just for you!