<p>I'm currently a sophomore in college in the process of changing majors. I was originally debating between an engineering vs geology, but now I have decided I will decide on a non-engineering major with a minor in geology. While geology is a huge interest to me, I have decided that I will minor in it instead because I was thinking of completing either a mathematics or physics degree to have a stronger quantitative background.</p>
<p>My question is which one would be better to suit my career goals. I'm mostly interested in going to graduate school in either Geology or Geophysics, but I want to have the option of going to grad school in math or condensed matter physics as well since my school offers a program in it. Physics would probably give me the edge on a career in geophysics, but mathematics might make me more well-rounded if I wanted to study other areas of geology as well. I know I'm going to be making the decision in the long run, but I would appreciate some advice.</p>
<p>I am a math major and to be honest, I know very few students that would be happy with both math and physics as a major. They tend to attract different personalities. Physics majors, in my experience, are more practical and pragmatic. They would get annoyed by the need to prove every obvious statement along the way. Math majors are more perfectionistic, consider every what-if and like to accuse physicists of carelessness.</p>
<p>So I would recommend that you go with the major you like better! </p>
<p>The lower-division math courses (calc 1-3, linear algebra, diff eqs) are common to both majors. You’ll know at the end of your first proof-based math course (real analysis or abstract algebra) whether you could see yourself as a math major.</p>
<p>However, I find it odd that math and physics majors differ in the regard you described them. To me, that seems more like a difference between science/math majors vs engineering majors. As for me I’m more in-between, but I would say I prefer the theoretical side more, hence why I want to either major in math or physics with a geology minor as opposed to engineering.</p>
<p>Also, physics majors at my school don’t have to take abstract algebra, real analysis, or any proof-based courses. I will have to take linear algebra and matrices or theoretical linear algebra along with partial differential equations, but besides the calc sequence and introductory differential equations that’s it for pure math.</p>
<p>I should also note I’m interested in GIS so math or computer science would be probably be more ideal for that, but I would prefer not to major in CS.</p>