<p>I've been told that majoring in Physics is a must, because it gives a broader field of knowledge and something to fall back on if Astrophysics doesn't work out for me. I've also been told that double majoring in Physics and Math would help as well. If I do double major, would minoring in Astronomy help at all?</p>
<p>Major in one area. Spend the time that you would have “wasted” on a double major by having a part-time lab research position during the school year so that you get lots of research experience, possibly co-author a paper, and get to know your professor well.</p>
<p>The physics major isn’t just for a fallback – the biggest problem faced by astrophysics grad students these days is weakness in their undergraduate physics background. Get a solid physics foundation first and then build on it.</p>
<p>i have a few friends that are planning on doing astrophysics for grad school. one is majoring in physics, minoring in astronomy. one is majoring in physics, minoring in computer science. both are working for a professor that does pulsar research.</p>
<p>Seems like the best primary major is physics, supplemented by appropriate advanced math and astronomy courses as available to you. Some familiarity with computer science and statistics is likely beneficial. Add undergraduate research.</p>
<p>I just completed a double major in math and physics and would second the recommendations that you major only in physics. A lot of the math classes you’ll need for the math degree will just take extra work and time and won’t prepare you for astrophysics, so they aren’t worth it. Just make sure you take math classes up the calc path and into differential equations, other than that you’re probably fine without the other math courses. With the time that you could have spent doing a second degree, I’d suggest that you get research experience in a related field and study up to do well on the general and subject GREs.</p>
<p>I second using computer science and statistics courses to supplement the physics major. The CS and Stats can be used as a fallback plan and when aiming for a unique area like astrophysics, you want to have a fallback plan.</p>
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<p>Some physics departments recommend that physics majors take junior level math courses like real analysis, complex analysis, and abstract algebra, though such recommendations are significantly less than what is needed to add a second major in math.</p>
<p>Ah, okay, I’ll definitely minor only in physics. One more question, so would a minor in Astronomy hurt me? I kind of want to have Astronomy classes during my undergrad time. Would I possibly be able to minor in Astronomy while still having time for research with professors? Thanks for all the advice though guys.</p>
<p>You don’t have to minor in something to take classes in it.</p>