<p>Yes, I’m definitely planning on grad school. </p>
<p>I don’t necessarily just want to take these other math classes for their applicability to physics, I do also have a huge interest in pure mathematics in general. However, you’re probably right. I should probably just focus on trying to get research experience in the summers.</p>
<p>The functional analysis class had the grad level real analysis class as a prerequisite, but it looks like I’d be able to take something like Lie Groups/Lie Algebra instead, without needing an additional prerequisite. From what I’m reading in various places, it sounds like a class like that would ultimately be more beneficial anyway.</p>
<p>Not to hijack, but I plan on transferring from CC to UMD next Fall and am also looking at a Physics/Math dual-major. I’m going to take the time to talk to department advisers to make completely sure that its what I want to do. Like you, I enjoy math, but I also enjoy the idea of learning how the universe works. I’m not too worried about spending more than too much time taking several upper-division courses. If its what I need to do, its what I need to do. Everyone is different, understands things at different rates, etc, so I wouldn’t let people who aren’t in your shoes determine your schedule (no offense to anyone in this thread). At the same time, however, I’m expecting a State school to be more rigorous than a CC, so I would avoid taking an overloaded first semester myself… at least so I really know what I’m getting myself into.</p>
<p>I’ve pretty much switched my plans from a double major, to a physics major/math minor. A lot of the pure mathematics courses that would be involved in the math major would certainly be interesting, and I’d love to take them, but they won’t really be that relevant to studying physics. My plans are definitely to go to grad school for physics, so it seems more sensible now to just major in physics, and minor in math, focusing on just the math courses that will be directly beneficial for a physics major. </p>
<p>I’ve done more research, and I think I’d be able to finish in two years, assuming that I took 4 courses each semester, plus a couple of summer classes. I’ve pondered the idea of trying to stay for an extra year to take some upper level graduate courses, but I’m starting to lean away from that idea now. Grad students are frequently done with their core/elective course requirements by the end of their 2nd year, but from what I’m reading, it’s not at all unusual to spend the first 3 years taking grad level courses to catch up on gaps in your education, and get a broader exposure. I would definitely be able to get all of the courses I want completed in that time. There would definitely be other classes that I would “want” to take, but if I were to stay in school long enough to complete all of the courses that I “want” to take, I probably wouldn’t be done with school for another 20 years…lol</p>
<p>Although I agree with rmelzer in that what other people say may not directly apply to you… I’m going to go ahead and give you advice anyway. Especially since you’re planning to go to grad school, make sure you don’t completely neglect your higher math background - a surprisingly large amount of “pure” math is extremely applicable in physics. Real analysis would definitely be good for you to learn as an undergrad - it’s quite important in quantum (Hilbert spaces, Fourier series, etc.), and undergraduate quantum mechanics courses don’t always teach the theory very well (some of my physics major friends have had trouble with this).</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. That has been my biggest concern…I don’t my background in math to be inadequate. I’m still going to minor in math, and I think I’ve figured out the classes that will be most crucial. I’m taking Calc I-III, and an intro Diff EQ course before I transfer. After transferring, I’d be taking a fundamental mathematics course(intro to proof writing), an advanced diff EQ course, abstract linear algebra, intro to abstract algebra, real variables, complex variables, differential geometry, partial differential equations…and possibly one more. Perhaps a topology course, or Lie Groups/Lie Algebras.</p>
<p>Does that sound like a decent plan? Anyone recommend any additions/changes?</p>
<p>It seems like a pretty well rounded variety to me. The Diff EQ course and the Abstract Linear Algebra course are part of the requirements for the physics major. The math minor requires a minimum of 18 credits. The courses I listed would add up to around 19-20 credits or so. Obviously I have no idea how scheduling and such would work out at this point, but I think I’d be able to squeeze one additional class in during my last semester before graduating. </p>
<p>I’m probably jumping the gun by planning this far ahead, but I feel like it’s never too early to start laying down a tentative plan.</p>
<p>I have a listing of the classes I need in order to double major, so you aren’t alone planning so far ahead.</p>
<p>Looking at my list, however, I have ~19 courses that are major-specific. If I was to limit myself to 2 years at a 4-year school, that would mean a little under 5 classes/semester. I will still have a couple of gen-eds to go too though, so I might take advantage of another year if I have the financial aid to do so.</p>
<p>Doing that, I will be able to fulfill the departmental honors requirement for both majors (If I remember reading right, they each require just 1 or 2 graduate level classes or a thesis). That way I can knock out 2 birds with one stone. I can not only achieve Honors, but also get a leg up on other graduate applicants by actually having graduate-level experience. Now THAT is thinking far ahead, lol.</p>
<p>But yeah, I have the same viewpoint as you, the longer it takes you to realize what you want to do, the more money might be wasted taking classes you won’t end up needing. Much better to plan as far ahead as is feasible.</p>
<p>Yeah, that’s how I see it. The sooner I start preparing, the sooner I’ll know what I need to do, and what I’ll have in store for the future.</p>
<p>I’ve been doing a little more research, and laying out tentative schedules(I’ve been bored lately…lol), and it’s starting to look like it wouldn’t really be that unrealistic to complete a double major in math and physics. I’ll need 126 credits for the specialized physics curriculum. I’ll be transferring in with about 94 credits from CC, and I’ll have 37 credits at UIUC in the physics major, so that’s no problem. I would need an additional 30 hours to finish a dual degree in mathematics. Two of the classes I’d need for the physics major would also apply to the math degree. I’ve got 28 hours of coursework in this tentative plan…35 altogether, assuming that I’d be able to apply the two math courses for the physics major to the math degree as well, which I imagine I’d be able to. </p>
<p>From what I’ve laid out here, I think I’d be able to finish both degrees in two years, with 4 courses each semester; two physics courses and two math courses. It would add up to about 12-15 credits each semester.</p>
<p>We’ll see though. This is all just very tentative obviously. I’m just bored as hell and ready for this fall semester to start, so I don’t have much going on aside from thinking about future college courses right now…lol</p>
<p>Just want to reiterate because it’s very important: taking advanced classes is great and will help you somewhat, but don’t neglect research. Research experience and great recommendations (which you want to get mostly from professors you did research for) are the things that will get you into a good grad school.</p>
<p>I have a good question about that then… assuming I feel comfortable taking on a Math/Physics dual major, and am looking to going to Grad school for Physics, would a Grad school look for research background in general?</p>
<p>Basically, if I decide to focus just on Physics, or work on a project in Physics and one for Math, would either path be more beneficial? Or is undergraduate research mainly to show Grad schools that you are able to engage in research?</p>
<p>My professors say it is much better to focus on one area and really excel than spread yourself too thin. Math research is much different from physics research so if you want to go to grad school in physics you should do physics research.</p>
<p>research in either is definitely better than nothing, but research in physics will help you more for physics (and math for math). One thing to note though is that undergrad research is pushed a lot less in math; you will probably need it to get into the top schools and it will help you a lot regardless, but my impression is that it’s not quite as expected as in the sciences.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m definitely not going to neglect research opportunities. My adviser and I have already talked about trying to get an internship at Fermilab next summer through the DOE. That would be pretty freakin awesome. My eventual goal at this point is to go into particle physics, so an internship at Fermilab would be ideal. </p>
<p>I definitely plan on using my summers after transferring for research opportunities.</p>
<p>I’d imagine that research in physics would be preferred for a physics major, but research in other fields like math or chemistry would also be of benefit, just because it shows that you have what it takes to do research. But, you should also shoot for a position within your given field.</p>