<p>My DS is currently a high school junior and based on guidance recommendations and everything we've read, Rice is his first choice school. While he likely would apply to the college of engineering (a stronger career building choice), his passion is physics. Can someone pursue a double major at rice in both engineering and physics? Thanks for your replies!</p>
<p>It seems that most Rice students are double majoring in something. They really seem to make it easy to do so. Does anyone have specific information as to whether these 2 majors are doable?</p>
<p>Would you recommend double-majoring on a pre-med track?</p>
<p>Do what you want, but keep in mind that there is no real practical benefit to double majoring. A degree is a degree. If you want to be an engineer but have an interest in physics, take some extra physics classes. I am a double major, but my majors provide a nice foil to each other. Engineering and physics is not entirely doable, because they both require a lot of hours to complete.</p>
<p>Most engineering majors are too structured to make double-majoring practical, especially in an area as demanding as physics; however, I don't think you'll find any schools where such a feat is practical or advisable.</p>
<p>Just fyi: Engineering students usually take 2 semesters of physics freshman year. I know that's not your question, but it does mean that your son will be taking physics while he makes up his mind what direction he wants to head... :)</p>
<p>A double major in this case is pretty much impossible, as both majors have extensive requirements, assuming you're talking about a B.S. in both. I think he'll find that doing engineering with a lot of physics classes or just a physics degree will be enough/satisfying.</p>
<p>One person doubled musi with elec (in 5 years, of course), so anything is doable</p>
<p>Some of it depends on how many AP credits you start off with. My son came in with a lot of AP credits and has mapped out a plan to double major in ECE and CS (although a number of requirements overlap for these two majors). For the second major -- CS -- he's going to get a BA (not a BS like in ECE).</p>
<p>Although doubles are doable, not many who answered the survey from last year's graduates had double majors in those areas. Career</a> Services Center : Undergrad Students
You can scroll down to the bottom of the page and look at the last couple of years. One area of the survey indicates if they had a double major. Of course, not everyone answers and it is self reported, so not a total picture.</p>
<p>(sorry, off topic again ;))One of the many reasons I'm glad my kids are at Rice, as opposed to a state school, is that it is totally possible to graduate in 4 years (except for arch - which is a 5-year program)- no strain, no problem. Many of friend's kids at public U's will be taking 5 years to graduate due to difficulty scheduling classes, etc.</p>
<p>Agreed. The only class my son has had trouble getting into is an LPAP -- I don't know exactly what that even stands for, but it's essentially a PE class. He wanted ballroom dancing (!?!) first semester, but couldn't get in. But he's taking Latin dancing this semester. Who knew?</p>
<p>Architecture is actually a 6-year program.</p>
<p>One of the things that makes your son's choice a little tough is that engineering and physics are in two different schools. You are talking about a lot of requirements -- a difficult hurdle to oversome, even if you have AP credits out the wazoo. Maybe MechE might satisfy his engineering and physics appetite.</p>
<p>LPAP = Lifetime Physical Activity Program. AKA -- Phys Ed</p>
<p>DS claims to be interested in mechanical or electrical engineering (too early to really tell) even though he would prefer to discuss quantum physics all day. We think (DS included) that an engineering degree would be more of an asset for him in the future than a pure science degree but if he could at least fuel his interests with additional classes, he would be happy. </p>
<p>Thanks all!!</p>
<p>There's certainly nothing stopping an engineering student from taking physics classes. There are a few mechanical engineers in my modern physics class right now. Whether an engineering degree is a better asset than pure science is a debate for some other time, but I would encourage your son to take whatever courses he enjoys and wait at least a little while before settling on a major.</p>
<p>A caveat from a current student..
Many people double major at Rice just because they can, and put pressure on themselves to do so. It's like "oh crap, I better do a second major!" pretty silly really. it often makes more sense to just take courses that interest you and not worry about getting that second major, because in most cases it won't matter. not saying it's not a good idea--it's great that Rice makes it so easy to do--just think about if it's right for you.</p>
<p>This is a little off-topic in terms of all this discussion on engineering and physics, but still relevant in terms of double majoring.</p>
<p>Would it be possible to double major in economics and history while also doing premed? Or is that being a bit over-ambitious? I want to do premed but also want to have a back-up plan in case premed doesn't work out for me (hence, econ for business or whatever). Would it be wiser to have a double major AFTER freshman year, perhaps?</p>
<p>What are Rice's distribution requirements (I was accepted into the School of Social Sciences)? Does anyone have a link to Rice's list of accepted AP/IB credits?</p>
<p>hotasice -- here's a webpage that has links to the AP/IB credits AP</a> & IB Credit | Office of the Registar | Rice University</p>
<p>I realize that to some extent what you can major in/double major in might influence what college you decide to go to, but beyond that (i.e. if you have already decided to go to Rice and are now planning out your four years) stop worrying about it right now. Once you get to Rice in August you'll have a lot of advice from academic advisers and current students on what classes to take and what you should major in that will be far more informed and tailored to you than what we're probably going to offer here.</p>