Physics/astrophysics or CS?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>which major would you recommend? im currently a 1st yr CS major, and dont know if i should change major or not. i originally was planning to major in physics but changed it at the last minute before school started because i was impulsive. im not a huge fan of programming right now, but im hoping CS will get better as far as subject matter. </p>

<p>what major would you recommend in terms of job opportunities and salary? i really like astronomy but im not sure if i want to get a PHD. im confused between what major i should go with and im stuck between the point of majoring in something purely because i have more interest in it than the other, or majoring in something that i dont care for at the moment but hope i warm up to it due to salary. hopefully its normal for 1st yrs to think like this cuz im doubting my decisions.</p>

2

<p>CS is probably the most demanded major in industry. I promise you, cs becomes pure math when you really get into the coursework. Programming is not what it is really about. I think it is better to stay with cs because you can get a good paying salary with an undergraduate degree whereas physics virtually needs a PhD to do anything with it.</p>

3

<p>it becomes pure math? how so? i only have to take up to math 5B and then ill be done with math classes around end of my second yr. but regardless im glad that its not all about programming, thats def a good thing to hear. </p>

<p>is there anything theoretical involved in CS because i hate to say i dont find math the most exciting thing to study either.</p>

4

<p>CS is a broad field. Here some info. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_science%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_science&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I would also recommend considering computer engineering.</p>

5

<p>CS doesn't become pure math. Some become math intensive, but not all. I've taken a couple of graduate CS courses, and neither are extremely math intensive (compared to graduate level math courses).</p>

6

<p>I think it's fair to say that CS CAN become highly mathematical, if you want it to be. It also depends from program to program. Some programs require that you take some theoretical CS courses, which are basically just math courses. But other programs do not. </p>

<p>I agree with Gatoreng23 that a CS degree is a much more marketable degree than one in physics.</p>

7

<p>I've also heard that there'e alot math involved in higher level CS(which made me quite happy), then I checked out couple of higher level CS books, the stuff on those books are considered math, but that math is quite different than what math is about on our mind.</p>

8

<p>
[quote]
I've also heard that there'e alot math involved in higher level CS(which made me quite happy), then I checked out couple of higher level CS books, the stuff on those books are considered math, but that math is quite different than what math is about on our mind.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well, it's different in the sense that upper-level math in general tends to be different. Most math majors will tell you that it's a rather jarring change to move from the lower division to the upper division. Lower division math is simply analytical (i.e. solving problems) and so is not tremendously different than what you were did in high school. But most of upper-level math is pure proof and theorem based. Solving equations becomes less important, what becomes important is the ability to do proofs. Proofs requires an entirely different way of thinking. Plenty of people who can solve math problems great are just ineffective at doing proofs. </p>

<p>Theoretical CS is also highly proof-based. There are several famous unsolved CS problems that are basically proofs that no-one has (yet) been able to solve.</p>

9

<p>on average, what jobs can a CS major with a BS, MS, and Ph.D? Is it mostly programming, solving proofs or what?</p>

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<p>Cs is almost all math in the latter part.</p>

11

<p>Hey,but the question remains unanswered(or perhapes its my question)......
wat r the opportunities in Physics/Astrophysics n wat bout the salary????</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
on average, what jobs can a CS major with a BS, MS, and Ph.D? Is it mostly programming, solving proofs or what?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>For BS or MS - simple. Become a software developer, i.e. for Microsoft or Google. Or transition to IT. IT is not exactly the same as CS, but the transition is pretty easy. </p>

<p>For PhD, you can become a researcher or an academic. Or you can still opt to become a software developer. I know a guy who just finished his PhD at MIT and is heading off to Google. </p>

<p>
[quote]
Hey,but the question remains unanswered(or perhapes its my question)......
wat r the opportunities in Physics/Astrophysics n wat bout the salary????

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well, the truth is, most true physics/astrophysics jobs require or strongly prefer PhD's, as they are research/academic jobs. </p>

<p>*Because most jobs are in basic research and development, a doctoral degree is the usual educational requirement for physicists and astronomers. Additional experience and training in a postdoctoral research appointment, although not required, is important for physicists and astronomers aspiring to permanent positions in basic research in universities and government laboratories. Many physics and astronomy Ph.D. holders ultimately teach at the college or university level.</p>

<p>Master’s degree holders usually do not qualify for basic research positions, but do qualify for many kinds of jobs requiring a physics background, including positions in manufacturing and applied research and development. Increasingly, many master’s degree programs are specifically preparing students for physics-related research and development that does not require a Ph.D. degree. These programs teach students specific research skills that can be used in private-industry jobs. In addition, a master’s degree coupled with State certification usually qualifies one for teaching jobs in high schools or at 2-year colleges.</p>

<p>Those with bachelor’s degrees in physics are rarely qualified to fill positions in research or in teaching at the college level. They are, however, usually qualified to work as technicians or research assistants in engineering-related areas, in software development and other scientific fields, or in setting up computer networks and sophisticated laboratory equipment. Increasingly, some may qualify for applied research jobs in private industry or take on nontraditional physics roles, often in computer science, such as a systems analyst or database administrator. Some become science teachers in secondary schools. Holders of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in astronomy often enter an unrelated field. In addition, they are qualified to work in planetariums running science shows, to assist astronomers doing research, and to operate space-based and ground-based telescopes and other astronomical instrumentation. *</p>

<p><a href="http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm#training%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm#training&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Here is some earnings information. Keep in mind that this is mostly about people who hold PhD's.</p>

<p>*Median annual earnings of physicists were $87,450 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $66,590 and $109,420. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $49,450, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $132,780.</p>

<p>Median annual earnings of astronomers were $97,320 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $66,190 and $120,350, the lowest 10 percent less than $43,410, and the highest 10 percent more than $137,860.</p>

<p>According to a 2005 National Association of Colleges and Employers survey, the average annual starting salary offer to physics doctoral degree candidates was $56,070.</p>

<p>The American Institute of Physics reported a median annual salary of $104,000 in 2004 for its full-time members with Ph.D.’s (excluding those in postdoctoral positions); the median was $94,000 for those with master’s degrees and $72,000 for bachelor’s degree holders. Those working in temporary postdoctoral positions earned significantly less.</p>

<p>The average annual salary for physicists employed by the Federal Government was $104,917 in 2005; for astronomy and space scientists, it was $110,195. *</p>

<p><a href="http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm#earnings%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm#earnings&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>great!!!........thanx sakky.......</p>