math and physics vs. math and engineering

<p>I'm a freshmen and am trying to decide what I want to major in. I'm thinking about a double major in math and ee, but lately i've been enjoying physics a lot. So, I've been wondering if I shouldn't do a double major in math and physics, and do ee in grad school. But, I might also be interested in doing math in grad school. Any opinions?</p>

<p>What kind of job do you want to get?</p>

<p>I'm not really sure. I'm interested in computer music, and would maybe like to design and build synthesizers. So, another possible option is computer engineering as opposed to ee. But, I also wouldn't mind becoming a high school math teacher either. I am also interested in cs, but i think that is really more of a hobby, and the stuff i am interested in is mostly academic and probably isn't used very much in industry.</p>

<p>you've probably already considered this, but, be aware: It will be very hard to fit an engineering and math major in the course of four or even five years. I consider the Physics and Math option to be better for you. In addition, the course material past the first two years will probably overlap much more than the eng/math route.</p>

<p>If engineers take the same math courses as science students, I don't think it would be that difficult to pull it off with some work. If they don't then I would say do honors EE with/without a math minor. There's probably enough applied math & physics in EE to satisfy you. You could then minor in math and get the fundamentals like algebra and analysis leaving the door open for grad school in math.</p>

<p>Double majoring will not help you much in getting into grad schools or industry so double major only if you are really interested in the subjects.</p>

<p>It's easy to go from physics to EE for grad school, so maybe do that.</p>

<p>i am in the same boat, right now i am a freshman declared as EE and math but am finding the parts of EE i like are the more math/physics based parts. my only concern in being a math and physics major is that the competition for jobs that aren't in engineering/teaching high school i have heard are extremely competitive. don't know if that is any help but that is what has gone through my mind, all i really know i want to do is research but have no idea what field i want to go into.</p>

<p>Do what you love!!!</p>

<p>wow, someone above said it doesnt help double majoring? Im an EE and im minoring in Nuclear. Its been hard ( see my post, its on the first page) and now i am considering sticking to the original ee course load. Can you justify your statement? Its going to help me decide.</p>

<p>I'll try and justify it. Double majoring is only worth it if you plan on getting a specific job that uses knowledge from both majors. Having two majors usualy doesn't put you ahead of people who only have one major related to the job. If you apply for an EE job a second degree outside of EE doesn't help you. </p>

<p>Double majoring in EE and math for example has no real advantages. That second degree in math isn't going to make you any better a candadite for an EE job than people with just EE degrees. Now if you have a personal interest in math then go for it. </p>

<p>Also to the OP if you plan on doing EE in graduate school I would do yourself a favor and also do EE as an undergrad.</p>

<p>Double majoring helps will make you stand out when it comes to competitive jobs though, it shows that you are a capable person that are not afraid of working a bit extra.</p>

<p>Yes but having a double major in math does not show that you are a capable EE. Employers are going to look at GPA from a college graduate, they will test your knowledge on EE material, and they will make sure you have a degree in EE. That extra major or minor does not give you an edge on the competition unless it directy relates to the job. And I'm sorry but a second major in math doesn't make you a more capable EE which is what the employer cares about.</p>

<p>but there are fields within engineering/math where both skills are very useful. i spoke to at least one professor who holds a dual appointment in math and EE, he researches communications and from what he told me there is a strong link between game theory/number theory and communications systems. no there aren't a huge number of jobs that require both but if you get to higher level research there is definite overlap. even in robotics i have seen research which relies heavily on graph theory and probabilistic modelling</p>

<p>Read my post again. I have said many times "unless the second major directly relates to the job".</p>

<p>But your knowledge in EE is not the only thing that matters, if you ace your EE and still went for a math major in addition it will show that you are better at working than a person who went for easier subjects.</p>

<p>Also there is so much you don't learn at college, you learn a ton when you start working and thus if you have proven that you are a very quick learner (Aka can take harder courses) they will be more interested in hiring you. Of course if you are working in a EE field the EE courses are the most important but saying that anything else is worthless is not true either.</p>

<p>You know that a ton of engineers become management consultants even though it have nothing to do with the field they studied?</p>

<p>The thing is that the companies want people that can deliver, that's why they don't just look at the courses which directly relates to the job you will do but also other courses, your previous job experiences, hobbies etc.</p>

<p>It probably do not matter for your personal work performance, but what matters is that it shows your capabilities and thus will increase the chances of getting a better job.</p>