<p>I'm a sophomore and I'm seriously thinking about changing my major from history to astronomy/planetary science. My problem is I have almost no mathematical background, and I have never taken a physics class.</p>
<p>I've always been interested in astronomy, but I thought it would be impossible to take any college astronomy courses because I didn't take advanced math classes or physics in high school. Last semester, I took an intro astronomy class that didn't require a lot of math (it was intended for humanities majors) and I loved it. This summer I took a statistics class that I did really well in. I know an intro statistics class is really easy and not like calculus at all, but it has given me a lot of confidence that I can actually do math. I used to love math until I got a really bad teacher in my sophomore year of high school that just totally ruined it for me. I've been living under the assumption that I just don't <em>get</em> math - but this course has shown me that I can do it. I would have to take pre-calculus and a "physics head start" course before starting the real major requirements (Calculus I-IV, Classical Physics I & II).</p>
<p>Do you think it's possible to succeed with no background knowledge? Honestly, for the past year I've felt like I've taken the easy route. I really want something that is challenging and interesting. My college is a strong science school and I feel stupid for not taking advantage of that. I can barely stay awake in my history classes and see no use for a history degree - everything I've learned can easily be learned by reading a book. </p>
<p>Sorry if I'm rambling, I am just unsure if this is what I should do. Does anybody have any general advice? Has anyone been in similar circumstances (i.e. switched to a science major after having no background)? This is a horrible and stupid question, but is physics "hard"? I literally know absolutely nothing about physics at all.</p>
<p>Yes. You can absolutely do it. You are smart, as a physical science major is not only much more personally rewarding it is better for job finding. Do not live your life in regret and thinking “what if”.</p>
<p>If you would like, it may be better to just do straight physics with a minor in planetary science, as physics is more marketable, you will have to do almost all of the same courses anyways with maybe 2 differences (Planetary science majors might not have to take Statistical and Thermal Physics; they should have to take EM and Quantum though).</p>
<p>I majored in Astronomy as an undergraduate and then went to medical school for my MD, partly because I thought the math needed for graduate studies in Astronomy was just going to be too difficult, even though I had already taken Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Differential Equations and Linear Algebra as an undergraduate. The Astronomy classes for Liberal Arts majors are meant to be interesting, non-mathematical and essentially “fun”; they are nothing like the courses for Astronomy majors. They are very mathematical and require an extensive knowledge of Physics. I had three semesters of Calculus based General Physics and upper division courses in Modern Physics, Quantum Physics, Classical Mechanics, Electro-magnetism and Solid State Physics and even then did not feel prepared for graduate studies in Astronomy. All my Astronomy classes required extensive knowledge of math and physics.</p>
<p>I am not saying it can not be done and it is certainly better to major in something interesting to you than stay in a major you do not like. However, you are starting late and have a lot of catching up to do. Taking the math and physics prerequisites will add close to two years the additional time you will have to spend to get your BS. Calculus and Physics are very difficult and you will probably have to spend at least five hours a day studying outside of class for those two courses alone. </p>
<p>See how you do in Pre-calculus. If you get a good grade try Calculus I and if you do well in that than Astronomy becomes a slightly more realistic possibility as a major and you can then take the first semester of calculus based physics and how you do in that will really tell you whether what you want to do is possible or not.</p>
<p>Planetary Sciences is more like Geology and while it also requires at least a year of Calculus and Calculus based Physics as well as Chemistry as prerequisites it requires far few upper division courses in math and physics than Astronomy does. You might want to take a course in Geology and see if you have an aptitude for and interest in Planetary Science.</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses. Unfortunately it seems lemaitre1 is right, it would take at least an additional two years. Here are the degree requirements:</p>
<p>Completion of the major requires 63 to 66 credits.</p>
<p>A. Required Astronomy Courses:</p>
<pre><code>1. AST 203 Astronomy, AST 341 Stars and Radiation, AST 346 Galaxies, AST 347
Cosmology
2. At least six credits from additional AST courses numbered 203 or higher.
</code></pre>
<p>B. Required Physics Courses:</p>
<ol>
<li>PHY 131/PHY 133, PHY 132/PHY 134 Classical Physics I, II and labs</li>
<li>PHY 251/PHY 252 Modern Physics with Laboratory</li>
<li>PHY 277 Computation for Physics and Astronomy</li>
<li>PHY 300 Waves and Optics</li>
<li>PHY 306 Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical Mechanics</li>
<li>At least 8 credits from a list of advanced physics-related courses.</li>
</ol>
<p>C. Mathematics Requirements:</p>
<ol>
<li>MAT 131, MAT 132 Calculus I, II </li>
<li>One of the following:
MAT 203 Calculus III with Applications
MAT 205 Calculus III
AMS 261 Applied Calculus III</li>
<li>One of the following:
MAT 303 Calculus IV with Applications
MAT 305 Calculus IV
AMS 361 Applied Calculus IV: Differential Equations</li>
</ol>
<p>It seems pretty much impossible. I would have to take pre-calculus in the Spring, and then only start the physics sequence in the fall (which would be the first semester of my junior year). I guess I am stuck now…</p>
<p>20 months ago I decided to go back to school to finish my degree after working for the past decade.</p>
<p>16 months ago I learned I needed some math classes for a Business degree that I was going to get. I took a placement test (after not looking at a math problem in over a decade), and was placed in remedial math (probably the equivalent of 8th grade math).</p>
<p>I didn’t like that very much, so I studied for a couple months, took the placement test again and got placed into College Algebra - which was good because it got me into my Statistics class that I needed to take.</p>
<p>Anyway, after taking the Statistics class (and College Algebra), I decided to switch my major to Statistics for two reasons 1) I really liked it and 2)jobs outlook for mathematical based degrees was much better than a typical BBA.</p>
<p>In order to not spend a long time in college, I needed to get into Calc I upon that start of last spring’s semester. I studied pre-calc and Trig over the winter break, took another placement test and got into Calc I.</p>
<p>I got through Calc I (which was tough because of the jump I took), took Calc II over the summer and now I am in Calc III.</p>
<p>So it can be done. You can go from basically no math all the way to Calc III in little over a year. Now I warn you that it is a pain in the butt to do it. It took hours, days, weekends, weeks of studying outside of class in order to completely rebuild my math background. It’s been a grind. But I’m doing very well in Calc III right now.</p>
<p>Don’t let the math scare you off. It just takes time and dedication. You can do it.</p>
<p>If you absolutely want to be in the planetary science, you should stay in school for two more years. Another alternative is to do graduate program, which will be about the same amount of extra time to complete it because you have to fulfill the pre-requisites. </p>
<p>But the graduate tuition may be a lot higher (I don’t know which school you attend). It might be convenient to think that your MS worth more than your BS in planetary science, so that you should also consider this second option - finish BS in history, and then do planetary later.</p>
<p>Another option is second degree, but it’s still BS and not MS, which is the same, really as the first.</p>
<p>My dual major in Physics (computer engineering as primary), will not really begins until the following Fall, my junior year as well. I am finishing the second physics course as an engineering. But the upper level courses in physics are only offered seasonly: fall or spring.
So I am staying for an extra semester. But I do it because I like it, and I want to do it.</p>
<p>It’s totally up to you, IMO.</p>
<p>The only advice is please do not overload your schedule.</p>
<p>I was randomly searching on the internet and this post came up. Since I am currently employed as a planetary scientist, I thought that I could offer some guidance.</p>
<p>I will start off by saying that I did not change majors in college, so I cannot really help with that part of your dilemma. I can tell you about some differences between astronomy/astrophysics and planetary science. In college, I was told that an astronomy degree was for someone who wanted to be a science journalist. I’m not sure how accurate that statement is, but that has always colored my view of that discipline. Astrophysics is the ‘working’ degree. An astrophysicist might try to figure out how the sun formed, how galaxies grow, etc. They usually deal with things outside of and/or larger than our solar system. I am a planetary scientist. These people study objects in our solar system like planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. I would say that about half have degrees in physics and the other have degrees in geology (like me).</p>
<p>I should also warn you that it is pretty difficult to get a job without an advanced degree, and probably without a Ph.D. So before you continue, you should think about what you would really like to do and how much school you want to go through. I have a BA and a PhD in geology. I have studied the surfaces of Mars and Mercury and I am currently studying the Moon. I also want to point out that most science graduate degrees (like astronomy/astrophysics/geology/planetary science) can be paid for by assistantships (teaching or research or both) so graduate school costs are minimal to nonexistent depending on what school you go to and how much money your advisor has.</p>
<p>The types of jobs you can get are faculty positions or research positions. Most faculty positions are half teaching and half researching (which is probably what your professors are doing) while research positions (like the one I have) is entirely research.</p>
<p>My advice to you is to follow your heart. I know it’s lame, but it is really true. If you decide that you want to get out of school quickly but you will be eternally bored, is it worth it? Do something that you know will make you happy for a long time and spend all the time in school necessary to do so. It is a lot easier to make the change now then in 15 or more years when you decide you don’t like the job you have.</p>
<p>You can message me if you have more questions that I can answer. Good luck!</p>