Should I finish my dual degree in 4.5 years or in 5 years

  • Context: Programs 
  • Thread starter Thread starter leright
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Degree Dual Years
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision of whether to complete a dual degree in Electrical Engineering (EE) and Physics in 4.5 years or extend it to 5 years. Participants explore the implications of course load, personal interests in specific subjects, and potential impacts on graduate school admissions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines the option to finish in 4.5 years with a heavy course load of 18 credits per semester versus a 5-year plan with a lighter load and additional courses of interest.
  • Another participant suggests that as long as the extra coursework is not failed, it could be beneficial.
  • Concerns are raised about the necessity of a chemistry minor, with questions about its relevance to the dual major in EE and Physics.
  • A participant shares their experience of pursuing a double major in EE and Physics/Computer Science, noting positive feedback from professors regarding opportunities from these degrees.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the value of completing the degree in a shorter time frame versus taking additional courses of interest. There is no consensus on the necessity of the chemistry minor or the best approach to graduate school competitiveness.

Contextual Notes

Participants have varying assumptions about the impact of course load and additional coursework on graduate school admissions, and there are unresolved questions about the relevance of the chemistry minor to the dual degree.

leright
Messages
1,317
Reaction score
19
It seems I can finish my dual degree in EE/physics in 3 more semesters and be out after a total of 4.5 years with a dual degree in EE and physics with a minor in chemistry. However, these last three semesters will be a rather heavy course load of 18 credits per semester. The other option is to be out of here in 5 years with the same dual degree in EE and physics, but with slightly less course load the last couple semesters and I will also take a couple more semesters of control systems, which is a subject I am immensely interested in (I hope to take a digital control course and a process control course), a solid state tech course (which is also of interest to me and is it is why I am dual majoring in EE/phys...but I think I can fit this course into the 4.5 year plan), and hopefully a second 4 credit directed study in classical E&M (I've already taken one 4 credit emag course and it was immensely interesting to me.

So, for someone that might like to go to grad school to study control systems (if I pursue the engineering side of things) or solid state electronics or maybe photonics (if I pursue "physicsy" engineering side of things...btw, I am taking a photonics course right now), what is a better choice? should I just get done in 4.5 years and move on to grad school, or should I spread things out a little bit more over 5 years and take a couple additional courses of my interest.

My ultimate goal is to attend a graduate program...whether I go to the physics side or the engineering side is unknown as both are currently very interesting to me. Will graduate school be impressed by someone with a dual degree in EE/physics and will they appreciate the extra coursework?

FYI, my GPA is currently a 3.4, but I hope to get it up to a 3.7 by the time I graduate. So, which option will make me more competitive in grad school admissions?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
As long as you don't fail your extra coursework classes..I don't see how they could hurt you.
 
Well...why the minor in chemistry? Is it just because it's like only one extra course or something? It seems that if you really want to go all out on EE/Physics then chemistry might be a thing to drop. Unless, it really is a negligible addon.
 
jbusc said:
Well...why the minor in chemistry? Is it just because it's like only one extra course or something? It seems that if you really want to go all out on EE/Physics then chemistry might be a thing to drop. Unless, it really is a negligible addon.

I was previously a chemistry major and took lots of chemistry classes.
 
Well I don't know what more to say, except that I'm going to be doing a double major in EE + Physics/Computer Science and most professors I've asked about it have been particularly positive about the opportunities from those degrees...
 

Similar threads

Programs Looking for Computer Engineering advice (going into 8th grade next year)
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Programs Dual Major Undergraduate program vs. Extra year
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Studying Should I pursue a masters degree after 4.5 years working in IT?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Admissions Dropped out for 5 years -- What are my chances at Grad schools?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Other Would it be advisable to take an extra year before graduating?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Programs What courses would best benefit an Applied Mathematics degree?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Admissions Graduating a year early anxieties + grad school
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Other Extra Year of Study for Graduate Physics Research: A Possibility?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Programs Is a Double Degree in EE and Physics Worth the Extra Year?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Programs Physics degree to med school? please help
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K