What's the purpose of a minor?

[Legion81]

I am finishing my junior year as a physics major, and I've heard that a lot of people get a minor in math or something like that. I plan to start grad school immediately after finishing my undergrad. My question is, what is the purpose of getting a minor? Does it look good on a grad school app? Once I get a higher degree, my undergrad major/minor would be useless wouldn't it... I'm not sure if I should spend the extra money to get a minor if it won't help me. Google must not like me because I couldn't find anything about a minor. Is a minor actually helpful? Thanks in advance.

 

[stewartcs]

I am finishing my junior year as a physics major, and I've heard that a lot of people get a minor in math or something like that. I plan to start grad school immediately after finishing my undergrad. My question is, what is the purpose of getting a minor? Does it look good on a grad school app? Once I get a higher degree, my undergrad major/minor would be useless wouldn't it... I'm not sure if I should spend the extra money to get a minor if it won't help me. Google must not like me because I couldn't find anything about a minor. Is a minor actually helpful? Thanks in advance.

I found my minors helpful. Typically they allow you to advance your study of a particular area that you find interesting or that may apply to your major. Mathematics is always helpful with most majors, especially physics and engineering.

CS

 

[Legion81]

So a minor doesn't actually carry any weight... it is just additional information to help you?

 

[will.c]

Generally a minor isn't going to help you too much. If you're a physics major, you're probably one or two elective math classes from a math minor anyway, so it doesn't really set you apart. My minors aren't on my degree, and they really aren't something you should list on a CV or resume unless you studied something completely outside the field (e.g., history) and actively use those skills in your intended career (as, e.g., a science historian, perhaps).

Now, just because a minor is pragmatically meaningless doesn't mean you shouldn't do one or two (or three). If, however, it makes the difference between spending extra time or money as an undergrad versus not, in the long run you're better without it.

 

[nicksauce]

If you're a physics major, you're probably one or two elective math classes from a math minor anyway, so it doesn't really set you apart.

I don't know if that's true. I am a physics major, and my math minor required 5 classes out of my curiculum.

 

[will.c]

At my school the math minor required the calculus series (1,2,3), ordinary differential equations, and then two additional upper division classes, of which one had to be senior level. This might be a particularly easy course, but the impression I've gotten talking to others is that this is fairly standard (at least at state universities)

 

[symbolipoint]

Can someone explain why the schools do not let you return LATER in order to earn a minor AFTER you already earned an undergraduate degree? Why must the courses for the official minor be earned while still earning the undergraduate degree?

 

[will.c]

Why on Earth would you want a minor after having finished an undergraduate degree?

 

[tbradshaw]

Minors do not mean much outside of your own university. Minors do allow you to get an experience in another field. If you are planning to go to grad school you would be better off taking some grad classes during your undergrad or additional advance classes in your curriculum. Possibly do some research if you have free time. Minors can good be good to show your depth as a student/person but otherwise are just trophy baggin.

 

[stewartcs]

Minors can good be good to show your depth as a student/person but otherwise are just trophy baggin.

I disagree. I actually use the knowledge I learned with my minors in my job.

CS

 

[will.c]

I disagree. I actually use the knowledge I learned with my minors in my job.

CS

But if taking those courses for your minors had caused you to have to spend additional time or money on school, do you think you'd have been better served (in the long run) by staying for classes or by going into the workforce anyway?

 

[WarPhalange]

Why on Earth would you want a minor after having finished an undergraduate degree?

To further your learning without the stress of it having to be for a specific career goal?

 

[will.c]

Why not simply take classes then? What does completing a minor in that case accomplish that just taking classes as a non-degree-seeking student does not?

 

[stewartcs]

But if taking those courses for your minors had caused you to have to spend additional time or money on school, do you think you'd have been better served (in the long run) by staying for classes or by going into the workforce anyway?

I feel like the money and time was well spent.

CS

 

[BioCore]

Minors might actually be helpful although I am not yet certain about this. My interest or career goal is to study Biotechnology. Now I was recently speaking to someone who said that Biophysics and nanotechnology are also very demanding jobs currently in the biotech industry. So in that case, if I wanted to extend my options a bit more, what I could do is take the biotechnology specialist and then also take a minor in Physics that would focus on more nanotechnology. This would be an excellent extra in a CV or resume as the employer would know you have some extra skills that can be used.

 

[huckmank]

To further your learning without the stress of it having to be for a specific career goal?

Which you can do by simply auditing the course. There's no need for them to count it as an official minor.

You can still learn without it going on your transcript.