<p>I was planning on majoring International Affairs and a minor in physics. Because I do have a passion for science and math, but I don't want to become a rocket scientist and go too specific into physics. </p>
<p>Is this decision worthwhile and would the workload kill me?</p>
<p>Any recommendations?</p>
<p>Workload wouldn’t kill you at all, don’t worry about it. Nothing will “kill you” if you enjoy the major and don’t leave five assignments until 1am the day they are due (and even then, you’ll probably survive, just with a lower gpa). Physics is certainly one of the hardest subjects here, but obviously there are plenty of physics majors that like it enough to put in the effort… its just that most people hate physics…</p>
<p>But why do you want physics? If you like math, then do a math minor- its pretty easy to complete and looks good to co-ops. Certainly if you like physics then go for it! But often people use minors as a way to add to their major with a specialty they enjoy (like doing an economics major and math minor, or history major and poli sci minor, or chemical engineering major and environmental studies minor) or to study something they always really loved but don’t want to pursue full time (like doing a spanish or french minor because you love the language, or doing an english minor because you love to write but don’t want to actually go into the writing world). </p>
<p>If physics is that to you, then I’m sure you’ll do absolutely fine. Take the beginning classes and go for it- just of course don’t forget to make sure you fit in your required major classes before squeezing in minor courses. But if you sort of liked science in high school and passed physics, why not try taking some random science-y courses instead of the hardcore Physics I for Physics Majors courses. Glance through the registrar’s listing and check out some that interest you. You don’t NEED a minor to graduate (exception- history majors), so don’t go into it thinking “I need to take these five classes to get a minor”. Just take a few classes that interest you, and if it’s going well then sure, take the last two. But I’m two classes away from about three different minors and it doesn’t bug me in the slightest.</p>
<p>Side note: I love when people take majors that have a traditional pathway (ex: economics going off to do economic-y things, or to become finance gurus) and combine them with minors or just random classes that they really love (ex: an elective called “food economics” and a few environmental studies classes) and finding a career path that combines both in really fun ways (ex: getting a job creating statistical models that help show what will happen to endangered species). The examples are (duh) from someone I know who graduated a few years ago. She makes my happy little math and econ major look very stupid and boring.</p>
<p>I was going to say the same thing neuchimie said in the last paragraph… I think it’s really cool when people pursue a minor or double in something sort of random (not that physics is random, just unrelated to int.affairs). I think it’s 100% worth it to take classes just for the sake of learning about something you’re interested in.</p>
<p>It’s doable. I don’t even really like physics and math makes me whine, and I thought physics was pretty manageable on top of my science courseload, so if you’re someone who actually enjoys physics, I’m sure you’ll have no problem handling the courseload. It WILL mean some long weekends in the library and some scrambling to throw lab reports together last minute (oh hey, that’s what I’m supposed to be doing RIGHT NOW), but it’s not going to be that hard. Plus, physics minor is what, like 5 classes? Pretty easy to fit into lighter semesters and arrange your schedule in a manageable way. </p>
<p>I think in an international affairs field, a physics minor is useless like 95% of the time. But, off the top of my head I knew a NEU math major who worked in the physics department at the CIA. Baller. So that other 5%… your major/minor could really do cool things for you.</p>