<p>I'm currently a Junior Chemistry major in College. As of now, I have found myself conflicted in whether or not I want to finish my degree in Chemistry (which I do find enjoyable, don't get me wrong) or change to a degree in Physics (which I find I may possibly find more enjoyable). The problem with changing is that I would probably end up being in college for several more years if I changed it. </p>
<p>Is it reasonable for somebody with an undergraduate degree in Chemistry to get into a graduate program for Physics, such as if I decide to go into astrophysics or something?</p>
<p>You are a junior - if you want to finish Physics you probably need at least 1 - 2 years depending on how your physics courses are offer. At my school all physics courses beyond introductory 1 and 2 (some schools split intro into 3 semesters) are only offered either in fall, or spring.</p>
<p>You can definitely get into graduate program for physics - but you might need to complete pre-requisites like everyone else that are not B.S. in physics.
Depending on your undergraduate major, these pre-requisites might take extra semester or two. </p>
<p>IMO you should finish your chemistry right now. It’s quite late to make the switch right now.
Also speak to the physics advisor - usually the undergraduate physics advisor is a professor. So speak to the person - and get his advice as well.</p>
<p>why would you switch from the easiest, most rounded, most employable and best science degree, into the 2nd hardest, 2nd narrowest, least employable degree?</p>
<p>there’s alot of physics in chemistry that you can learn while filtering out the useless physics that no one uses like theoretical mechanics and mathematical physics. thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, solid state, semiconductors, spectroscopy, quantum mechanics, all of that is right here in chemistry.</p>
<p>The reason why I’m considering switching to Physics is because I have developed a very strong interest in astronomy and astrophysics. </p>
<p>If it is reasonable to be able to get into a graduate program for Physics / Astrophysics which a Chemistry major as an undergrad (also taking into account a reasonable amount of pre-requesites I’d likely have to take) then that would be great as well.</p>
<p>If you take as many upper division Physics courses as you can as electives while finishing your Chemistry degree you could probably get into an Astronomy/Astrophysics graduate program but you have to understand you are going into the area of Physics that probably has the fewest employment opportunities. Also the few jobs that are available in Astronomy and Astrophysics will require a PhD.</p>
<p>I got my BS in Astronomy because I found the subject fascinating but ended up going to medical school and becoming an MD, partly so I could earn a living.</p>
<p>There’s astrophysics in chemistry as well. Analytical astrophysics is very heavy on spectroscopy to determine the chemical composition of far away stars. Where do you learn spectroscopy? Chemistry.</p>
<p>Chemistry can do anything. Even astrophysics, business, law and writing. Chemistry will help you even if you do basket weaving. Just stick to chemistry. There’s alot of physics you will never use in astrophysics.</p>
<p>It is reasonable to go from a chemistry undergraduate degree to a physics masters program. You would run into trouble if you were applying straight into Phd programs in physics unless you had some significant physics research experience. I imagine the challenges you would face in doing this will be in convincing admission committees of your reasoning- do you have substantial reasons for liking physics? is this based on more than a physics 101 course? do you know what research in physics is like? how well do your goals fit with a masters degree in physics? can you apply your background in a meaningful way to the study of physics? I guess if I were in your position, I would do my best to interact with physics professors (but probably not double major or switch majors)- take classes in physics, take on a lab project with one of your professors, get a letter of recommendation from a physics prof.</p>
<p>biology, the study of a tiny subset of homogenously catalyzed organic reactions in aqueous solution. if that’s not narrow i don’t know what is. since these reactions are too hard for most people to handle instead of analyzing them chemically, there’s just a list of features to memorize.</p>
<p>How about Astrochemistry - what is this field all about? You always hear about astrophysics but I never hear anything about astrochemistry? Is it an actual field? Is it as competitive as astrophysics?</p>
<p>Also, if I get a minor in Physics, would that make getting a PhD with a Chemistry undergraduate degree if I wish to in the future? (no decisions are final, I just want my options to be as open as possible).</p>
<p>Astrochemistry is using observational data to analyze the chemical composition of beyond earth objects - mainly spectroscopy. For example, an astrophysicist looking through a telescope at a dust cloud might be interested in how the dust cloud moves, if it is contracting, expanding, rotating, etc. a astrochemist would use the telescope, attach it to some sort of spectroscope and analyze the chemical composition of the cloud.</p>