<p>is one possible for the physics option?</p>
<p>No, it’s not. Caltech only offers BS/MS degrees in a few specific areas, and physics is not one of them.</p>
<p>why dont they?</p>
<p>Are you asking seriously or facetiously?</p>
<p>I’m not a physics major, but my guess would be that’s it difficult enough to finish a B.S., never mind B.S. and M.S. at the same time. </p>
<p>If you think you’re talented enough to do it, feel free to cram the physics load into 3 years and then do your masters.</p>
<p>Of course, there are people who’re so far ahead that they can finish a math masters and physics undergrad in 4 years. But they’re much further advanced than most people are when they show up.</p>
<p>Usually a BS/MS program takes five years where you start taking grad courses your senior year and finish both degrees at the same time in your fifth year. My guess is Caltech doesn’t offer a whole lot of BS/MS programs because so many undergrads take a bunch of grad classes already, and the school offers very few terminal MS degrees.</p>
<p>I imagine the departments which only require their grad students to take five classes wouldn’t have much to offer undergrads who have already taken that many.</p>
<p>how advanced are these people?</p>
<p>It really depends on the department. It’s relatively easy to get a Bachelor’s and Masters in EE in 5 years. Don’t get hung up on the specific degree you are looking for–you’re not in college yet, and your ideas about what you want to do should not be solidified.</p>
<p>I’ve heard of at least one person getting a BS math and an MS in physics in 4 years, but that is extremely rare. A MS in 4 years is however manageable with the geology option.</p>