Double Major: Comp Sci & Physics

College Majors Science Majors
1

<p>So I have some general and specific questions about double majoring. Here's a bit of info on me that might help you help me:</p>

<p>~I am an incoming freshman
~I will be attending Fresno State this Fall (go Dogs!)
~I will be majoring for sure in Computer Sci, I'd like to say i have a lot of experience in it (if you need more info on this, just ask)
~I am considering Physics as a double major
~Not sure what kind of Physics I'd like to get into, as well as my application of Comp Sci (I know a lot of programming languages though)
~I have my first year of GE done (roughly 1.25 of the two years, actually)</p>

<p>I have been fascinated by Physics (and Astronomy) since I was small, and some of my non-school projects have involved Physics (and math, obviously). I also hear that comp Sci and physics double major are rewarding/worth it/good on apps.</p>

<p>Math is the other consideration as a Double major, and I have done some work with CS and combinatorics, but I think I may like Physics more. I wouldn't mind math though.</p>

<p>I also am aware each school is different with double majoring, but any input is well appreciated :)</p>

<p>My questions (please try to number your answers to correlated with the questions, thanks :)):</p>

<ol>
<li>How hard is double majoring in general? How about with Physics and Comp Sci?</li>
<li>At what point would i declare a double major, in terms of what year (if i choose to)?</li>
<li>Is it worth double majoring in Comp Sci and Physics? Is there a better combination?</li>
<li>Who would I most likely talk to about double majoring?</li>
<li>How long would a double major take to complete? How about double majoring in SC and Phsyics specifically?</li>
<li>Assuming my GRE's, exams, and grades are good, how will double majoring effect my chances of getting into grad school?</li>
<li>I know we go to college to study, but I have to ask: how will double majoring affect my social life?</li>
<li>Any other useful info, advice, or comments :)</li>
</ol>

<p>Thank you so much for reading this, and for helping me out. Also, if there are any spelling/grammar errors, please forgive me, for I am writing this on an Itouch :)</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>It can be hard, if the programs have very few shared requisite courses. But since comp sci and physics are very closely related, it shouldn’t be difficult, and may be easier in some ways, as you’ll see some of the material in both disciplines.</p></li>
<li><p>It’s usually in either your second or third year. At many schools, this can be changed after this time (at my school, I think you can change your program up to a month before graduation).</p></li>
<li><p>I think that’s a great combination. Another useful combination is one of the two with math, or you may want to consider doing a single major in computer or software engineering.</p></li>
<li><p>You would talk to your academic advisor for the relevant faculty or department(s) (depending on how your college makes the distinction).</p></li>
<li><p>Whatever you choose to do, I hope you enjoy it! :)</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

3

<p>How much physics do you really want to do? You might just want to take some physics instead of doubling in it.</p>

4

<p>I’m not sure how much I’d like to do. I took a look at the catalog a while ago and compared CS to Physics, and saw that aside from G.E., CS only really requires two-three semesters of it. I’d like to double major because I have an interest in both, and the willingness to explore both fields. Since I placed myself down as a CS major, I’m not familiar with the amount of work involved with Physics as a major, but I figured that the application of it might broaden my opportunities for a job, as well as continue my interest with both.</p>

5

<p>Well, unless you know what you’re doing, I’d stick to one.
However, since you’re not sure, take a schedule that would essentially complete the first year of either program. Most first years let you do that.</p>

6

<p>To “test out the waters” so to speak?</p>

<p>Also, I’ll keep that in mind, that’s actually a good idea, rather than realising what you want later on in college.</p>

7

<p>You can always work towards both majors, if they fit in your schedule, then drop one if you decide you don’t care for it. (Of course, check beforehand that this is doable at your school.) There’s no way you’ll know until you get there how much you’ll enjoy either major, as they’re a lot different from what you’ve encountered in high school.</p>

8

<p>CSU Fresno’s majors in question:
[Bachelors</a> of Science](<a href=“http://www.fresnostate.edu/csm/csci/degrees/bach.html]Bachelors”>http://www.fresnostate.edu/csm/csci/degrees/bach.html)
[California</a> State University, Fresno - Catalog](<a href=“Fresno State - Acalog ACMS™”>Fresno State - Acalog ACMS™)
[BA</a> in Mathematics](<a href=“http://www.fresnostate.edu/csm/math/degrees/ba.html]BA”>BA in Mathematics - Department of Mathematics)</p>

<p>CS = 70 to 74 units
Physics = 74 to 76 units
Math = 49 to 56 units</p>

<p>CS + Physics = 140 to 146 units after subtracting overlapping courses
CS + Math = 108 to 119 units after subtracting overlapping courses</p>

<p>But then there are also 45 units of CSU general education required. This makes the total to be significantly greater than 120 units that normal course loads of 15 units for 8 semesters would give. So how feasable doing one of these double majors depends on how much college or AP credit you are starting with, and how willing you are to take greater than normal course loads.</p>

<p>CSU Fresno does have a four year graduation pledge program, although you may have to ask how it may be used if you double major.</p>

9

<p>Apparently Fresno doesn’t offer a BA in physics; doing a BS in physics plus presumably a BS in CS would be difficult unless you’re coming in with a lot of credit or want to take a lot of summer school (if you want to go to grad school, which it seems you do, you do not want to be doing a lot of summer school, you want to be doing research). A minor probably shouldn’t be too bad.</p>

<p>As a side note, Apparently the physics BS at Fresno has two semesters of advanced classical mechanics, only one semester of quantum, and statistical mechanics is optional. That’s really weird.</p>

10

<p>So this is sort of a side question, but what careers can someone do with a Physics and Computer Science double major?</p>

<p>The only things I’ve really done with Physics and Computer Science is things with Astronomy.</p>

<p>I know that game programming/design is something you can do with the double major, but is there anything else that one can do?</p>

<p>Also, besides Math and Physics, what other similar/career-beneficial majors would work with Computer Science?</p>

11

<p>Courses (not necessarily a second major) in an area of application of computer science may be helpful if you go into that area of application. E.g. some familiarity with economics and finance may be helpful if you go into development of finance software. Or various social studies topics like sociology and psychology if you want to go into social networking and the like.</p>

12

<p>If I were u I would definately do a double major in CS and MATH instead of physics. If you’r interested in physics you could take some extra courses in it, but I would definately focus on CS and Math. Why? because of future career oppertunity’s, and synergy between the 2 majors. I did both these majors (bachelors, in europe) myself, and landed one of the best paying jobs I could dream of. (+ its exciting). During university I shared allot of math classes with people who did physics. Most of my friends who did CS+math all came to work in all kinds of industries, one even works at CERN. If you are really interested in physics you could always get a master after you’ve finished your double bachelor. The guys i know/knew who combined CS with Physics got mostly worse jobs then the CS/Math guys. (The Math/Physic guys also got great jobs though). Math is the purest exact science you can studie, and combining it with a “less pure math science” eg; physics, cs, astronomy, is a very powerful combination. </p>

<p>You have to do what interests you most ofcourse, but I would definately consider atleast taking math if your planning on getting a double degree. Programmers that know high math can do crazy stuff. And believe me, after you’ve got a degree in math, learning physics is way easier then the other way around. </p>

<p>Feel free to ask me any questions related to this topic.</p>

13

<p>Mkays, so double majoring (for me) is now almost impossible (I want to get out in 4 years, and even with my 1.25 years done of GE, it’ll take too long).</p>

<p>I know this is sort of a twist in my story, but how is a Comp major . with a Comp Sci minor? Or doing any of the combinations previously stated, but with a minor instead?</p>