<p>I used to want to do engineering, but I realized that I had just succumb to the mainstream idea that engineering = great job. My real interest lies in physics and math, with physics being number one. What I want to know is how doable a double major in physics and math is. I am a fairly dedicated student who works hard for my grades, but I am not willing to sacrifice my life to the double major if that's what it entails. I do have thoughts of pursuing a Ph.D in either condensed matter physics, or in cosmology. Now I know that graduate studies require tremendous amounts of time, dedication, and sacrifice, but I just kind of want to ease my way into my studies, as opposed to diving in head first into an ocean of equations.</p>
<p>The two majors are usually close enough to be able to finish both of them without going too far out of the way, but I suggest that you just look at both major requirements and do the numbers yourself.</p>
<p>It’s a pretty common double major. There’s a significant amount of overlap, but it will require somewhere around 30 extra credit hours of courses in most schools. It really depends on what the individual major requirements are, and what requirements your school has for double majors. </p>
<p>It’s very rigorous but definitely doable. I know a lot of people who have done it. However, if you are only doing it because you think you need a math major to do physics, then you should just do a minor. Other than having a few basic courses in calculus, ODEs, PDEs, linear and algebra, and perhaps complex analysis, all the math you need as a physicist is usually learned along the way. Even for many string theorists.</p>
<p>That’s very worthwhile advice. If you double major with math, you’re going to learn a lot of math that is completely irrelevant to doing physics. A lot of the required courses for the math major will be abstract, proof based, theoretical math courses. These types of things are not really applicable to physics. For a while I considered doing a physics/math double major. I’m really interested in math solely for its own merits, but physics is my first passion. I’ve ultimately decided to do a math minor. I’m mostly going to be taking classes that are more applicable to physics, but I’m going to mix in a couple of more theoretical math courses as well. </p>
<p>Most physics programs have a Mathematical Methods for physics course and that will be more valuable to you than staying an extra year for a second degree. If you add some computation courses, you have a very good background to complement physics.</p>
<p>By the time you have to declare a major, most likely at the end of sophomore year, you’ll know what you want to do.</p>
<p>Assuming you declare physics, you may (from interest alone) find by the beginning of senior year you can easily complete a second major in mathematics. That is, nearly each semester you’ve completed a math course because you found one that was inherently interesting to you.</p>
<p>Also, mathematics programs vary in the extent to which they have more applied vs theoretical versions of content. For example, there could be more proof-focused vs applied versions of linear algebra. You might find you prefer one approach to another. That preference and your math department’s courses can affect your decision.</p>
<p>And, as far as planning goes, physics has more sequential prerequisites. Typically, it takes more semesters to complete the core prerequisites for upper division or advanced courses in physics than for mathematics. So, as semesters pass, from personal experience you’ll know what is best for you.</p>
<p>Thank you all. I did not ask the question, but I am thinking about a Math / Physics major as well. I have a passion for both, with Physics exponentially becoming more fun.</p>