<p>I am really interested in physics and cosmology, and I hope to continue my studies at schools like MIT and Princeton. I hear that a knowledge of computer science (for now, at the AP Comp Sci level) is important for subjects like physics. My question is: is it? What is in Computer Science that I need for studying astrophysics? </p>
<p>I will take AP Physics C in addition to AP Calc. BC and further (multivariable, differential equations, linear algebra,etc.). Do I truly need to take computer science classes prior to college, and will not taking them affect my chances of admission to schools like MIT? </p>
<p>I am thinking on taking classes at a local university, specifically in math and physics, but should I also look into studying computer science? Besides, MIT doesn't even offer credit for AP Computer Science A or AB. What do you guys think I should do if I am a prospective physics major hoping to attend top-tier universities?</p>
<p>I have never heard that comp sci is important for physics... at MIT, Physics is a pre-req for Comp Sci (so, I think that would mean physics is important for comp sci, not the other way around)</p>
<p>I think you'll be fine with Calc BC and Phys C...</p>
<p>if you are planning on astrophysics, I would recommend taking calculus classes beyond BC at your local university, if possible... and of course relevant physics classes (I think comp sci would be fairly useless for you)</p>
<p>yeah. that is my thinking as well. I will take math and physics beyond AP Calc and Physics C, and I will hopefully attend the Summer Science Program (SSP). In that program, you do alot of computer programming, but that programming is related entirely to physics and astronomy. I think that exposure to this would be better than taking something just for the sake of taking something.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if computer science is a requirement for a physics major, but it can be useful to one just like math courses are useful for computer science majors. It'll help you to think more analytically and be a better problem solver. As for whether it's necessary, probably not directly, but knowing certain languages might be useful later on (I think MATLAB is one of those, maybe for math majors). Nothing you should worry about now though. If you're interested in it though, it can't hurt.</p>
<p>Computer Science, despite not being required, is still a fun course because of the applications it offers. You also have an opportunity to hone your mathematical and problem-solving skills just as you would in physics. For schools like MIT, it won't hurt your chances if you don't take the class, but if you do take it, it shows your interest in math, science, and problem-solving, which might be required for physics/cosmology.</p>
<p>Putting the admission consideration aside, I strongly recommend taking computer science AT SOME POINT, as you will have to get along with CS if you concerntrate in science anyway. If that's where you're going, you will be better off starting it early. I won't say it hurts if you don't take it in high school; but since so many people are underrating CS, I should just say, in real world, even sociologists need CS.</p>
<p>"What is in Computer Science that I need for studying astrophysics? "
In short, there are problems that can't be solved at all without 10 computers running for a week...</p>
<p>"MIT doesn't even offer credit for AP Computer Science A or AB." -- My understanding is that they want you to take that anyway, which just shows how important CS is.</p>