<p>I have loved Harvard ever since I went to visit with my older brother. It has a beautiful campus and stellar academics, not to mention the library <em>swoon</em>.
However, no that I'm looking into colleges myself, it seems to be less of the perfect school.
I am looking for two specific major, one more common than the other, the two being Microbiology and Applied Mathematics. I've been having issues finding microbiology majors, so I've extended my search to include molecular biology. I want to study infectious disease.
Harvard, however, has neither. They have an applied math program, but I would be unable to double major. Also, there is no micro or molecular bio program, only Chemical and Physical Biology.
Would it be worth it to combine Chemical and Physical Biology and pure Math and continue to consider Harvard as a viable option? Would this combination be as helpful as micro/molecular and applied math? Has anyone done the chem and physical bio major?</p>
<p>Harvard has a concentration in molecular and cellular biology. Also, in order to do a double concentration at Harvard, you need to link the two concentrations and write a thesis – just taking the requirements for both concentrations won’t suffice. </p>
<p>[Molecular</a> and Cellular Biology Handbook for Students 2013-2014](<a href=“HarvardKey - Harvard University Authentication Service”>HarvardKey - Harvard University Authentication Service)</p>
<p>I can’t believe I didn’t notice that! Thanks!
Applied math says that it “does not participate in joint concentrations”…</p>
<p>Why do you feel as if you have to combine majors? Do you seriously believe you will be unable to follow the career path you want if you go to Harvard and concentrate in applied math, while taking a bunch of courses in molecular biology, or concentrate in molecular biology and take the four or five key applied math courses (a couple of which you probably have to take anyway for your biology concentration)? Does it occur to you that Harvard – which is pretty universally considered one of the great universities of the world, even by its detractors – might have some valid pedagogical reason for not facilitating joint concentrations?</p>
<p>If Harvard doesn’t do things the way you think they should be done, which of you is more likely to be right?</p>
<p>Just major in something whose title is close to what you’re seeking and then take plenty of applied math and microbiology classes. I’m not seeing the problem. </p>
<p>The fact that your major(s) there would not be labeled “Applied Mathematics and Microbiology” does not mean that the coursework will not be “Applied Mathematics and Microbiology”. </p>
<p>Also keep in mind that there is plenty of space in a class schedule beyond mandatory classes; for example, I was French major in college but even studied abroad in Austria and took a lot of German classes.</p>
<p>So in short, the title of the major doesn’t matter. It’s just a title, and it has little if any bearing on your future or the classes you actually take. You can certainly take classes in your specific fields of interest.</p>
<p>I feel the need to combine majors because of my slightly peculiar interest. I am interested in two aspects of infectious disease, modeling the spread and vaccines/treatment, and therefore would like to have a very strong background in both, depending on which area I choose to pursue (if any, of course. I am aware that I might change my mind).
And yes, I am worried about not having the right skills. I know I’ll have skills, but maybe not the right ones 
You’re totally right, though, JHS, about Harvard having a reason for not combining with applied math. Their reason is that there is a specific study in a related area built into the program. I worry, though, that this will not be sufficient, thus my interest in the two separate programs.
My main question was, however, whether a pure math major would differ significantly. I have looked at the classes, and they seem similar to me, but I lack the knowledge to discern the importance of the differences. I greatly appreciate your advice, and would really appreciate anything else you have to say.</p>