Double majors in the sciences?

<p>I've heard double majoring in math and physics is near impossible. If one is willing to stay for more than four years, perhaps even six or seven, is double majoring in these fields feasible?</p>

<p>Part of the misconception that many students have before coming to Caltech is that they like both math and physics- this is mostly because you haven't seen much of either. A lot of people come here interested in both, but find out pretty quickly which one they really like.</p>

<p>It is also not true that you need a degree in math to understand physics- the physics major doesn't require any more math than an engineering major (core + ACM 95, and physics doesn't even require ACM 95). Wait until you get here, and then I guarantee you'll probably change your mind. Also, staying 6 or 7 years is a bad idea, and would definitely not be worth the trouble for a double major.</p>

<p>jsd, there is a reason why you can't double-major in math and physics and it isn't the scheduling. Physics, math, and astronomy are all in the same division (The Division of Physics, Math, and Astronomy), and you cannot earn two majors in the same division. You can earn an MS in physics and a BS in math, and it's been done in four years, and the student I know of who did it is now a theoretical physics grad student at Princeton. (All of that extra math is really only necessary if you're going into theory.)</p>

<p>As like jdhutchin says, you will probably discover that you enjoy either math or physics more than the other, and you should take as many courses in your chosen subject as you can, so that you are best prepared to keep studying it at the grad level. Also, please don't assume that you want to be a theoretical physicist just because it sounds bad-ass. You may spend several years here before you can fathom what that would entail. (Preview: You risk your career on the hope that you have insights which people smarter and more experienced than you have somehow missed. If the insights don't come or stop coming, you teach physics at a community college/LAC.) In the meantime, SURFs in experimental physics are a good idea.</p>

<p>There would be no good reason to double major in math and physics even if you could. If your heart is set on theoretical physics (keeping in mind snowcapk's warning) and you're good at math, the math major offers enough flexibility where you could probably take Ph 106 (classical), Ph 125 (quantum) and a couple of other yearlong advanced physics courses of your choice after taking Ph 12. Not having to fulfill the physics requirements means you don't have to take the sophomore physics labs, the advanced lab, or the large number of courses that can satisfy the 90-unit advanced credit requirement. If you want to major in physics instead, you can take Ma 5 (abstract algebra) and Ma 108 (classical analysis) for advanced physics credit, which is useful.</p>

<p>Keep an open mind frosh year, explore some different fields, and then see what you want to do.</p>

<p>Also, note that since you must petition to double major, it is unlikely it would be granted if you planned to do it in over 4 years.</p>

<p>dLo is right. One of our housemates, Tim, petitioned to double major MechE / EE in five years and was rejected because of the length. As a result I think he's doubling ME/CS now.</p>

<p>I should reword my question. It's not that obtaining a second major in math is a big deal, it's just that even after looking through analysis, topology, complex variables, etc. I am absolutely positive I want to take many courses in both subjects. I do like physics more, but stopping my math studies after ODE's and PDE's would make me feel like I'm really missing something. Would it be possible to take MANY (above abstract algebra I and one quarter of analysis) math classes while pursuing a physics major? (I originally referred to a double major because this encompasses the many math classes I'm speaking of)</p>

<p>"Also, please don't assume that you want to be a theoretical physicist just because it sounds bad-ass. You may spend several years here before you can fathom what that would entail. (Preview: You risk your career on the hope that you have insights which people smarter and more experienced than you have somehow missed. If the insights don't come or stop coming, you teach physics at a community college/LAC.) In the meantime, SURFs in experimental physics are a good idea."</p>

<p>I don't quite understand what this means. Why would anyone become a theoretical physicist because of how it sounds? Am I misinterpreting this? I would appreciate any clarification, if possible.</p>

<p>For what it's worth, I'm phys (frosh), but plan to take all of Ma 108 (real analysis), and 109 (topology) at some point -- they do count as advanced phys credit, if I remember correctly, & of course are pretty dashed interesting, so there you go. I think, calculating, it's definitely possible to take at least a few cool math courses as a physics major, if not a ridiculous number.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I do like physics more, but stopping my math studies after ODE's and PDE's would make me feel like I'm really missing something.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Planning your life to avoid missing anything will miss you quite a bit. It is possible (and not uncommon) to continue with advanced math classes while pursuing a physics major. But Caltech is not the only place to learn math. It's also one of the more expensive ones, in terms of both direct and opportunity cost. (Even if you had the money to take an extra 3 years without going into ridiculous amounts of debt, there would be much better things to do with it.) Life does not in fact (generally) end immediately after undergrad.</p>

<p>The advice I've gotten from other grad students here at Caltech is if you really want to learn something, you don't have to worry about taking a class on it. If you're here, you're probably smart enough to teach it to yourself, and reading a book or two on the topic will require a lot less effort than most Caltech classes out there.</p>

<p>If that's true, why bother taking classes at Caltech (except to get a diploma)?</p>

<p>So I can pass my candidacy exam. :(</p>

<p>It's also why I'm trying to take as many lab-based classes as possible instead of classroom ones.</p>

<p>Most of my good classes here could not have been taught through textbook alone.</p>

<p>An 022, ACM95A, EE40, EE5x...</p>