<p>I understand that certain double-majors are pretty easy if not natural, such as computer science and mathematics or computer science and electrical engineering. I've also heard of students getting stranger double-majors like physics and economics. What I'm wondering is if an astrophysics/philosophy double major is feasible or even possible. Cuz that would be awesome.</p>
<p>Physics is a pretty common half of a double-major, since the degree only requires seven classes outside the GIRs (General Institute Requirements). Major requirements for physics are [url=<a href="http://web.mit.edu/catalogue/degre.scien.ch8b.shtml%5Dhere%5B/url">http://web.mit.edu/catalogue/degre.scien.ch8b.shtml]here[/url</a>].</p>
<p>Ironically, philosophy looks a little more logistically challenging to complete: degree requirements [url=<a href="http://web.mit.edu/catalogue/degre.human.ch24a.shtml%5Dhere%5B/url">http://web.mit.edu/catalogue/degre.human.ch24a.shtml]here[/url</a>] indicate that six subjects must be taken from the lists given, plus five additional subjects that must form a "coherent unit". (I really don't know what that means, or what some examples of "coherent units" would be. My guess is that they're not too picky about the classes being strictly coherent.)</p>
<p>So that major combination, 8-B (physics) and 24-1 (philosophy) is definitely feasible. The question is whether you want to do 8-B with a minor in astronomy (requirements [url=<a href="http://web.mit.edu/catalogue/degre.scien.physi.shtml#under%5Dhere%5B/url">http://web.mit.edu/catalogue/degre.scien.physi.shtml#under]here[/url</a>] under "minor programs"), or just get the degree in physics and take your electives in astrophysics without getting a specific notation on your degree. Although I do think the physics/philosophy/minor in astronomy combo would still be possible, doing a double-major/minor starts to put you in a situation where you're a slave to departmental schedules (if they don't offer X class during a particular semester, you might not be able to complete the program). </p>
<p>So I would vote for the double in physics and philosophy (with your electives in physics being astrophysics electives), but not for the minor in astronomy.</p>
<p>the course catalogues are a bit difficult for me to decipher, but what ur saying makes sense. adding the astronomy minor into the mix is admittedly enticing (admittedly enticing = friggin sw33t) but it seems that might be a pain.</p>
<p>in any case, if i get in, ill definitely ask my advisor/counselor about it. astrophysics/philosophy/(astronomy?) if guys can swoon, im definitely swooning :D</p>
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I understand that certain double-majors are pretty easy if not natural
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<p>I would object to this choice of words. ** NO ** double major (technically, a dual-degree) is "pretty easy" at MIT. Heck, I wouldn't even characterize a single-major at MIT as being "pretty easy".</p>
<p>Haha, it depends on your scale of difficulty. I forget that I'm a senior, and I really have no concept of "hard" anymore. :)</p>
<p>It is true that a double-major -- in whatever fields -- is hard; if you don't come in with a huge amount of AP credit, you will be taking 5 or 6 classes a semester. (Normal courseload is 4 classes a semester, and is not a walk in the park.) Being a double-major myself, I have taken several terms of 72 and 75 units (where normal is 48) -- it's sort of a controlled insanity.</p>
<p>The reason this is so is that for a single major, you are required to complete 180 units outside the General Institute Requirements, which can be accomplished by taking 4 classes a semester. To double, you are required to complete 270 units outside the GIRs -- substantially more.</p>
<p>When I say that some doubles are "easy" and some are "hard", I'm not referring to the difficulty of the curriculum or the per-semester courseload -- that's going to be hard no matter what. What changes is the logistical ease with which it's possible to complete two majors -- if there's substantial overlap between two fields, or one major has very few required classes, you will have to scramble to complete both majors less than you would for two majors with many required classes. </p>
<p>For example: it's very difficult to double with course 10 (chemE) or course 16 (aero/astro), because those majors have the most required classes. Course 18 (math) and course 8 (physics) are considered "easy doubles" because there are few classes required for the major -- but not because they are intellectually easy classes.</p>
<p>by "easy" i meant easy to coordinate in terms of classes. like majoring in math and computer science would be easy in the fact that they share a bunch of classes, not the actual difficulty of the joint program</p>