<p>I'm about to finish my second year in college (giving myself another three years) and I'm 99% sure that I want to major in math but I also want a second major. </p>
<p>I can't decide whether to chose physics, economics, or comp sci. Also, apparently all my liberal arts school offers are B.A.'s in those areas. Either way it would be too late to start a B.S., which is superior (hence why I want a double major to make up for it).</p>
<p>I want to do physics purely out of interest, but my chemistry professor said that in order to do anything with it, I'd need a Ph.D. Economics would probably land me a job in business, which would be nice (see my minors below) but I'm honestly not too enthusiastic about the subject. As for comp sci, I haven't explored my options for that yet, but I figured it would be a good pair up with math. </p>
<p>What would be the best choice for someone who is not considering going to graduate school right away, but wants to find a decent job right after college? </p>
<p>I also have a minor in Japanese and French if that makes any difference.</p>
<p>Interesting. I can’t see why Merill Lynch would hire a physics major, so I’m guessing it was more for the economics side. </p>
<p>As much as I hate it, I think it would be safer to major in economics rather than physics. </p>
<p>Also, my school’s crappy schedule is important too. Too many courses are scheduled out of my way and conflict with other essential ones. In this case economics is not looking good unless I take the intro class in the summer (which I just registered for to secure my place until I make my decision).</p>
<p>Whatever I take this summer or next fall will have to be my major, I can’t waste anymore classes. I’m already forced to take some core classes every summer because I need to fit my double major and double minor in 5 years.</p>
<p>Add some specific economics (intermediate micro/macro and finance), statistics (probability, statistics, time series), and computer science (algorithms/complexity, software engineering, operating systems, networks) courses and you will likely find some good job and career prospects in finance, actuarial, and computer software.</p>
<p>Physics graduates have decent job and career prospects, but many of them do not work in physics – finance recruits many physics graduates for their math skills. But if you want to do finance, better to do math/statistics/economics to prepare for it more directly.</p>
<p>Bachelor of Arts versus Bachelor of Science does not matter as much as the reputation of the school in your major subject. At one of the top schools in math, all bachelor’s degrees in math are Bachelor of Arts degrees.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t mind not working in physics, actually. I wanted an employer to hire me for my skills rather than for my major; I’m sure physics would prepare me not only for that but also allow me the option of going into grad school if I ever want to.</p>
<p>Looks like my school does offer a physics B.S. in physics. I’ll go speak with the department soon. </p>
<p>My school does not have a good reputation with science, but we do have a decent nursing program I heard.</p>
<p>Just major in Econ. There aren’t many classes required anyway. Add a second major or maybe two minors in whatever you’re interested in. In the end, internship experiences related to your goal is more important.</p>
<p>Actually, it is more like physics jobs are not plentiful, but finance, engineering (where PE licensing is not required), computer software, and other math-based jobs recruit the “surplus” physics graduates so that they have decent job and career prospects (unlike biology and chemistry).</p>
<p>If you really like physics, go for it, but be aware that you should probably consider the other math-based jobs as a backup in case you do not make it into a physics career. If physics is just something you don’t mind, then it may not be the best idea compared to some other math-based subjects.</p>
<p>I have to concur with other posters. Any math heavy degree will give you a decent amount of job opportunities, just not necessarily directly in that field (especially physics, if you want a job in physics, it does take a PhD practically). My own advice is to take lots of statistics, nothing is more versatile in terms of job opportunities (everyone needs to analyze and interpret data, be it banks, industries or government).</p>
<p>Just registered for next semester. I have a physics course down as well as 3 maths (1 in the summer). </p>
<p>I’m going to talk to the physics department’s Chair next week to discuss the major and if I will have time to complete the B.S. in 3 years (18 credits are in math so my math major will automatically take care of that). If I can, I will go for it.</p>
<p>However if I have to chose between a B.A. in physics and a B.A in economics, I’ll go for the latter. I think a B.A. in physics is worthless. </p>
<p>Don’t double major. Employers usually don’t care about second majors. Don’t waste your time and money taking classes that won’t really help you in the long run. Instead, take courses that interest you on the side (or minor).</p>
<p>Applied math tends to be decent (applied to finance/economics, statistics, computer science would probably be the best for job and career prospects).</p>
<p>Let me just agree with ucbalumnus: math degrees are quite marketable, and most programs give you quite a bit of room in terms of course selection. A little computer programming, applied courses and statistics and, as I said before, there are plenty of job prospects.</p>
<p>Okay, cool. If that really is the case then I won’t have to do economics (just because it sounded marketable). I’ll do comp sci instead, if I don’t go for physics.</p>
<p>The reason that a company like Merrill Lynch will hire a physics graduate is blatently obvious. The physics major prepares you with skills necessary to analyze quantitative situations as good if not better than any finance, economics major can. This is why the many physics grads I know have all told me that a physics major opens more doors than one would believe possible. You won’t get to work in the physics world with a 4 year degree, but there is room out there for you. I would keep the Physics/Math double major in consideration among the options listed. It will leave you with by far an advantage over anyone quantitatively. Also, those of you who have mentioned the Statistics option also bring up a very very valid point worth heavy consideration. You simply don’t need the economics double major to get into the business world. It is arguable that you don’t need the double major at all if you line up your electives right.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about whether your bachelor’s degree is “of Arts” versus “of Science”.</p>
<p>Plenty of math, statistics, economics, physics majors graduate from UC Berkeley with Bachelor of Arts degrees (which is the only type of bachelor’s degree offered in those majors).</p>
<p>I was hoping that at least a double B.A would make up for it not being a B.S.</p>
<p>I spoke to to the physics department chair today. A physics B.S will definitely fit in 3 years. Only problem is that my school has such a limited course schedule that the required courses for my majors might interfere with each other, making it impossible to take them. But she said I can take any courses at other colleges so that works. Either way, if I don’t complete the B.S in time I will at least definitely have the B.A.</p>
<p>So I’m going for it. Thank you for your answers.</p>