<p>I'm currently a junior in high school that is concurrently enrolled at CU boulder taking calculus 3 for engineers. Eventually, I would like to get a major in aerospace engineering. Next semester I am taking differential equations, but I need to figure what minor or double major and if so, which ones, in order to plan my courses for next year. I enjoy applied mathematics, but am unsure if it would be worth it to major or minor in this. Any ideas?</p>
<p>If you are referring to career prospects, perhaps another type of engineering or computer science if you want to avoid being boxed into the aerospace industry.</p>
<p>Otherwise, out-of-major elective courses, minor, or second major would mainly be for your personal interest. In this case, it is unlikely to be of any importance whether you get an official minor or second major.</p>
<p>If you’re going for marketability, you don’t necessarily need a minor or double major. Instead taking more specialized or grad level classes within aerospace and/or other disciplines to give you more coverage than thr typical AE major would be best.
The supplemental areas that seem to be hot right now within the industry are:
CS (both mission/flight software and cfd/simulation)
EE
Materials research
new manufacturing processes
And to a lesser extent structures</p>
<p>For pure enjoyment, whatever floats your boat. I know two people double majoring in math and it’s just fun for them.</p>
<p>For me, a minor should be just for a subject you would take for fun and not for a career. Instead of a Computer Science minor, you could just learn how to program & get acquainted with C++/python/R/Matlab outside of school, and the cost of a couple programming books and an internet connection is a lot cheaper than tuition. You then should list “hey I can program blah blah blah, I built a program that does this and this” on your resume, which is also important because doing a Computer Science minor/major doesn’t really tell anybody that you actually can do anything with it.</p>
<p>Personally I am minoring in either Art, Anthropology, or a foriegn language (I personally haven’t decided which) because I realize that while I find these three different things very very interesting (probably more interesting than my major), it’s not practical to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to major in Anthropology or Literature or whatever.</p>
<p>So my $0.02 is to find a social science that really interests you because it will expand your horizons as well as inflate your GPA and will allow you to relax & learn at the same time.</p>