<p>The caltech catalog is confusing and brief on this subject:</p>
<p>Can you double major in both Aph and ESE (Material science track)?
In this case, can a course such as aph114abc count both for the aph advanced classes requirement and the ms advanced classes requirement? or would i have to take two series?
in general, can i satisfy two requirements (one from each option) with one course? what about labs, etc?
also, if i do a thesis, could do one to thesis satisfy both thesis requirements?</p>
<p>Double majoring in closely related fields is generally disallowed. So, for example, you probably couldn't major in both Economics and BEM (Business Economics and Management), even though you'd be very could plan your classes to fulfill requirements for both with the same courses.</p>
<p>In general, as mentioned above, it's pretty hard to double major in two options in the same department - the materials science track is inside the E&AS department, and the applied physics option is as well. With that said, you can pretty much do whatever as far as double majors are concerned as long as you have the consent of the option reps of the options you're interested in. </p>
<p>The catalog is very specific as to what's allowed for double-counting -- requirement/requirement or elective/elective double counts are not typically allowed at all, but sometimes if a class is a requirement for one option but an elective for another it might be allowed (the only place I'm aware this is mentioned is for the chemistry option, but it might still hold for others; it again depends on the option reps). Lab classes are probably a little bit more leniently double-counted as opposed to lecture courses, the same probably goes for theses (although this is purely speculation).</p>
<p>That said, I'm currently planning to complete a double major in chemistry and applied physics, with a focus in materials science (which sounds a lot like something you'd be thinking of doing). My point then is that there are multiple ways of being able to take classes in lots of different areas, most of which don't require a double major - most majors have room for a reasonably large number of electives, which can be used to explore different areas you're interested in.</p>
<p>Hey, if you guys are interested in Materials Science, start clamoring for the option to offer more classes! We've got a pathetic number of them right now, and I really don't want to have to be a TA for one of the APh classes instead. ;_;</p>
<p>Also, APh and Materials Science at the graduate level are almost identical programs. Actually, as a MS student, you can take all of the APh required courses and have them count towards your requirements. I don't know if anyone's ever bothered, but it probably wouldn't be that bad to get a Masters in APh and your PhD in MS.</p>