Triple Majors - Combining Comp Sci, Math & Genetics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility and implications of pursuing triple majors in computer science, mathematics, and genetics, as well as the perceptions of graduate school admissions committees regarding such academic paths. Participants share their personal experiences and opinions on the value of multiple majors in relation to career goals and academic depth.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note the overlap in coursework between computer science, mathematics, and physics, suggesting that pursuing multiple majors could keep options open for graduate school.
  • Others argue that being a generalist may hinder one's ability to produce original research due to a lack of specialization and depth in any one field.
  • A participant with a background in biochemistry and pharmacy expresses curiosity about how their diverse academic background will be viewed by graduate school admissions committees but emphasizes their enjoyment of learning.
  • Concerns are raised that triple majoring may not provide significant advantages and could lead to being perceived as a "professional student" if it extends undergraduate studies excessively.
  • Some participants suggest that a double major with a minor might be more practical and beneficial than pursuing three majors.
  • There is a viewpoint that graduate school admissions are competitive and that simply meeting minimum requirements is insufficient for acceptance, implying that a double major could be advantageous for interdisciplinary projects.
  • One participant shares their experience of unintentionally obtaining three bachelor's degrees, noting that it did not seem to impact their graduate school admissions.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of understanding material over merely accumulating degrees, suggesting that full comprehension is unlikely to occur during undergraduate studies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the value and practicality of triple majoring, with some advocating for it while others view it as potentially detrimental. There is no consensus on whether pursuing multiple majors is beneficial or advisable.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the potential for spreading oneself too thin when pursuing multiple majors, suggesting that this may limit opportunities for deeper exploration in specific fields. There is also mention of the competitive nature of graduate school admissions, which may depend on more than just academic credentials.

Moenga
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As I'm a comp sci/math major I see a lot of overlap in classes for math and physics majors at my school. I am thinking of a genetics major as well since I'm already following the genetics curriculum, just at my own pace. I do plan on going to grad school and the later graduation date doesn't bother me at the slightest. I'm curious to whether there are any triple majors out there and if not are you willing to pick one up? Also how does it look to grad school admissions committees because I know as long as you have legitimate research experience as well as grades and recommendations your in the door.
 
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Today's world is not friendly to the generalist. Take it from me.

I've delved heavily into EE, CS, physics, math, music, teaching/tutoring, and art (and numerous other less serious interests, such as psychology and evolutionary biology) and it has been a difficult path. My two degrees (B.S. and Ph.D) are in math, but I have minors in computer science and electrical engineering, and got close to either taking enough classes or at least learning the material for degrees in EE, CS, and physics.

You'll find that the specialists can usually beat you. There's some purpose to being a generalist, but because it is not generally not valued in today's intellectual culture, you really have to swim against the stream. It's harder to produce original research if you don't specialize because you don't have enough time to reach the frontiers. You can spread yourself too thin.

For my part, though it's not entirely the result of being a generalist, I have abandoned my career in mathematics. I hope to write down a lot of my thoughts on put them online, so that people can gain something from them, but my contribution is not going to be to produce new results, just a synthesis of my own ideas and other people's ideas about the most intuitive/enlightening way to think about existing results.
 
I have a B.S. in biochemistry and also in pharmacy&chemistry, and now I'm a freshman in physics pretending to continue studies later to get a PhD in high energy physics (theoretical).

After I majored in biochemistry (two years ago) I worked in a research laboratory (one year ago) and publish a paper (yeah, just one). Then I started working as a pharmacist (for local pharmacies in my country) during the weekends so I could earn some money (steel doing this) to pay my third major: physics.

Finally, I also feel a bit curious about how this will be seen by grad school admissions committees but I'm not too much worried because I'm busy studying and trying to enjoy learning. In fact, this last "thing" is what I think pushes me to study all what I can, because I'm very curious about nature and I'm amazed about how it works.
 
Moenga said:
As I'm a comp sci/math major I see a lot of overlap in classes for math and physics majors at my school. I am thinking of a genetics major as well since I'm already following the genetics curriculum, just at my own pace. I do plan on going to grad school and the later graduation date doesn't bother me at the slightest. I'm curious to whether there are any triple majors out there and if not are you willing to pick one up?
Majoring in multiple subjects is a good idea if you seriously want to keep multiple options open for graduate school. Otherwise, I don't see much of a point. Unless you're doing 12 years worth of undergraduate coursework, you're getting a 2 for 1 or even a 3 for one deal and the cost is that you don't have the same opportunity to explore the sub-fields that single major students will have. Hence you'll have less information to make your choices for graduate school with.

Also how does it look to grad school admissions committees because I know as long as you have legitimate research experience as well as grades and recommendations your in the door.
The last part of this statement makes admission to graduate school appear trivial, which it isn't. You need to reach a minimum standard to apply, but that's not the same as being admitted. Graduate school admissions are competitive. And meeting the bare minimum with course requirements is not going to make you more competitive. A double major may help however if you are interested in doing an interdisciplinary project.
 
Thank you guys for your input I appreciate it. Anyone else have any insight?
 
Double major + a minor is the most I would consider doing. Triple-majoring is a waste of time IMO. In the time it would take to get 3 majors you might almost have a Master's already.
 
That's true. IMO you're in school for the diploma with hopes of landing in industry or you truly have an interest in your respective field of study and don't care about a graduation date but fully understanding what you're being taught/self-taught.
 
esuna said:
Double major + a minor is the most I would consider doing. Triple-majoring is a waste of time IMO. In the time it would take to get 3 majors you might almost have a Master's already.

I agree.

If you can manage to do a triple bachelor in a reasonable amount of time (maybe 5-1/2 years?), then it probably won't hurt you.

If you spend 7 or more years, it will definitely hurt you.

Can't really see how it will help you. It makes you look like a "professional student".
 
I ended up with three bachelor's degrees (didn't really plan it that way, just happened with the classes I took). It’s a bit different for me because my subjects were a lot more closely related than the ones you're talking about, but I doubt it had any impact on my graduate school admissions or anything else really.

You had mentioned a later graduation date not bothering you, I would agree with the suggestions of not burning much extra time to do it.
 
  • #10
Moenga said:
and don't care about a graduation date but fully understanding what you're being taught/self-taught.
Fully understanding a subject is not going to be possible in undergraduate anyway. It's like reading the first 10-20 pages of a book and then putting it down. The reason that it's acceptable is because the majority of jobs are only looking for people who have read the first 10 pages of the book, or less. "Full understanding" isn't going to happen until you pick the book back up and start reading it again. That means not spending 8 years in undergrad, and getting to grad school as soon as possible.
 

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