<p>I was just wondering if anyone has dual majored in Mathematics and Physics or are currently in college doing so. If anyone has any knowledge on the subject, I would just like the know the type of classes you take, what careers are a possibility, how time consuming and work-intensive a dual degree like that is, etc. Thank you!</p>
<p>If you aim more the B.A. versions of each major…with enough cross-listed courses (courses that are both part of Math and Physics departments), you probably can dual major. Also, most Physics programs require Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Linear Algebra and Differential Equations. A typical B.A. in Math program would require additionally: Analysis (or Real Analysis), Abstract Algebra and 4 more courses.</p>
<p>Still, your Physics program make ask for a Statistics course and/or Numerical Analysis course which you can use also for the Math degree.</p>
<p>Bottomline: Unless you are taking a lot of Physics & Mathe courses which cannot be cross-listed, you should be able to pull it off.</p>
<p>i know a bunch of people who are doing this/have done this. I’m a math major myself, at my school the usual path they follow is honors calc 1, 2, linear algebra, analysis, abstract algebra, mechanics, e&m, waves and optics, and quantum physics, then there are a bunch of electives you have to take in each. as well as general requirements like english, history, art, language, and so on. they all have done it in 4 years as far as i know. but they do end up having a heavier load for at least 1 semester, ie enrolling in an extra class. </p>
<p>I’m personally not interested enough in physics to do it. Although I have taken mechanics and e&m, and will take waves and optics.</p>
<p>I was also a Math major who liked Physics. I took Computational Physics as an elective because (at the time) I wanted to do scientific software development. My advisor was like “aww…take two more Physics courses and get a minor”…so I did. I also didn’t like Physics “enough” to double major though.</p>
<p>I’m a freshman and i plan on dual majoring in math and physics. Unfortunately, since i’m a freshman i can’t offer too much knowledge on the course work that i will take down the line, since i haven’t figured it out past sophomore year. However, i can offer an idea of what jobs i’m looking at:
1.) Quant for a hedge fund–this usually requires a PhD in math and is highly competitive to achieve a spot on wall st. Usually you’re competing against Putnam fellows and the like, and they expect a lot. Bright side? Pay is gooooood from what i hear, and the math is fun and challenging. You’re basically assessing the risk for certain investments so to mitigate the volatility of the stocks as much as possible using mathematical techniques like stochastic calculus, stats, linear algebra and probability.
2. Cryptanalyst–pretty self-explanatory. John Nash without the craziness, i.e, cracking codes for the govt. Decent pay from what i hear, starting off at around 50,000. Not to mention, if you work for the govt like NSA or CIA, they pay for grad school and continuing education.
3. Work at AT&T or Bell Labs doing research.
4. Professor
Not sure if i can continue this list since this combination is one of the sexiest for employers to see, the rationale being that if you can conquer these two monsters, you can easily conquer most other related beasts. It’s not exactly the material you learn, but rather the way of thinking that is vital.</p>
<p>it seems like there are a lot of people at my school doing physics who get a second degree (BA) in math or BS in applied math or whatever… take a few extra math classes beyond what they need for physics and avoid the proof-based ones as much as possible.</p>
<p>Sounds good. I’m hoping to receive a lot of credit or placement cause I’ve taken AP Classes like Calc BC, Physics B/C-Mech/C-E&M and Comp Sci AB, and I’ve just completed a Linear Algebra course. So at the least, I think I’ll be well off in the classes I take. </p>
<p>Thanks for the input guys, it’s good to see what to expect.</p>