Taking computer science classes to prepare to physicist

AI Thread Summary
A freshman in college is considering a double major in physics and math, with an interest in pursuing physics research. There is a concern about the relevance of traditional lower-level computer science courses for this career path. Recommendations suggest that taking mathematical modeling and programming courses would be beneficial, as they often overlap. Introductory computer science courses are also considered valuable, providing foundational skills that can aid in research. Overall, a focus on programming relevant to mathematical modeling is emphasized for those entering the physics research field.
gigabyte3000
Messages
51
Reaction score
1
Hey everybody. I'm a freshman in college thinking about double majoring in physics and math. I think I might want to try to get into physics research as a profession, and I think knowing how to program might help me. Someone, however, told me that computer science courses aren't the type of courses I should be taking for this purpose. Are the traditional lower level computer science courses going to just be a waste of time? What sort of programming would be useful in a research field? Thanks in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think you should look at taking mathematical modeling courses and programming courses. A lot of the time they'll be grouped into one. Introductory CS is never a bad idea though.
 
After a year of thought, I decided to adjust my ratio for applying the US/EU(+UK) schools. I mostly focused on the US schools before, but things are getting complex and I found out that Europe is also a good place to study. I found some institutes that have professors with similar interests. But gaining the information is much harder than US schools (like you have to contact professors in advance etc). For your information, I have B.S. in engineering (low GPA: 3.2/4.0) in Asia - one SCI...
I graduated with a BSc in Physics in 2020. Since there were limited opportunities in my country (mostly teaching), I decided to improve my programming skills and began working in IT, first as a software engineer and later as a quality assurance engineer, where I’ve now spent about 3 years. While this career path has provided financial stability, I’ve realized that my excitement and passion aren’t really there, unlike what I felt when studying or doing research in physics. Working in IT...
Hello, I’m an undergraduate student pursuing degrees in both computer science and physics. I was wondering if anyone here has graduated with these degrees and applied to a physics graduate program. I’m curious about how graduate programs evaluated your applications. In addition, if I’m interested in doing research in quantum fields related to materials or computational physics, what kinds of undergraduate research experiences would be most valuable?
Back
Top