Physics/Comsci advice?

College Majors Science Majors
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<p>Hey everyone! I'm entering college as a freshman this fall and would really appreciate some advice on what to major in.</p>

<p>To be blunt, I have a deep interest in physics but I do not want to be an educator nor do I want to spend my life in a lab. The thing is that physics is the only subject I have genuinely enjoyed learning so far. I've been set on taking physics in college because I am convinced that it is the best way for me to obtain a deeper understanding of the subject. However, I am also very concerned about employability. As such, I plan on taking Computer Science as well, but the truth is I have zero experience in programming and am not sure it is right for me. I guess I'll find out about that in due time and I plan to spend some time tinkering around with Python after my finals as a start.</p>

<p>Digressing a bit, I've heard that Physics and Comsci are really heavy on maths and after wrestling with further mathematics for a year, my confidence in my ability in the subject is shaken. As such, I'd like a better idea of the mathematics involved.
I see that there is a focus on calculus, linear differential equations and linear algebra, but I'm not sure i know what they are and how deep they go.
So far, I've learned by parts integration, as well as differentiation & integration for natural logarithms and trig. For differential equations all i know is how to obtain general solutions and complete solutions using auxiliary quadratic equations. I've even less of an idea about linear algebra, but I suppose it has to do with matrices, eigenvectors, reduced row echelons etc. Does the mathematics required go much further than this? Do you think it will be overwhelming?</p>

<p>I'm going to USC, by the way, and USC offers a Bachelor of Science in Physics/Computer Science which I think is a single major. Here's their page of stuff I'll learn: USC</a> Physics and Astronomy
My concern is that learning less of each subject will leave me unemployable or be disadvantageous in some ways. Based on the syllabus, what do you guys think?</p>

<p>In addition to all this, I am determined to become reasonably fluent in a foreign language over my college years, so I am considering a minor in French. This is only relevant in my conveyance of the limited time I have, as I don't think I can spend more than 4 years in college, though I will probably spend every summer there. I am aware, though that I might have to sacrifice some of my interests in favour of others.</p>

<p>All in all, I'm just really looking for a balance between intellectual gratification and practicality (who isn't, right?). I would really appreciate it if someone could offer me some advice, point out things or combinations of majors and minors that I should consider etc. I'm very undecided and fairly open to ideas of all sorts right now, so anything (constructive) at all will be appreciated!
I apologize for how long and disjointed this post is, but thank you in advance!</p>

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<p>Physics graduates often end up working in computer software, engineering, or finance because there are not enough desirable physics jobs but those other jobs recruit them because they are good at math. Fortunately for physics graduates, these alternative jobs are much better paying than the kinds of jobs that chemistry and biology graduates end up doing.</p>

<p>Physics majors typically take at least second year math, including multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. They may take more advanced math such as real analysis and complex analysis.</p>

<p>Computer science majors take math, but emphasizing different types of math, such as discrete math and computer science theory courses.</p>

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<p>How about an applied physics major? You learn theory, but you also learn things relative to a real world application. You could also take that four year degree in physics, enlist as an officer in the Navy and work on a sub. Lots of physics applications there as they are nuclear powered. Then after you serve your time there, go into the public/private sector working for a defense contractor on Missile Guidance systems or something like that.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the answers! I’m beginning to wonder if I should be an engineering major instead. I don’t think there is an applied physics major at USC, though it sounds like a very good idea as I particularly enjoyed learning the applications of physics in my A Levels course. I’ll be sure to check for an equivalent of applied physics.
That aside, I should have noted that I’m an international so I don’t think I’m eligible to enlist in the Navy, though it actually sounds close to perfect. It’s the kind of thing I would like to put myself through at least once in my life. Unfortunately, my home country does not offer me the same opportunities. Thanks for the refreshing ideas, though! Please, keep them coming! (:</p>

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<p>

I was about to suggest that. Engineering might be your best bet to do “applied physics” outside of academia. Have you done any research into the various engineering disciplines and career prospects for each?</p>

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<p>twaih7, I’m pretty much in the exact same situation as you are: incoming freshman to USC, interested in physics but concerned about employability (the reason why I’m considering Physics/Computer Sciences as a second major, the first being Geological Sciences), no experience in programming, confidence in mathematics shaken, interested in minoring in a foreign language (Japanese), trying to find the right balance, etc. Wow, I thought you were me for a second there.</p>

<p>Anyway, I don’t know about you, but I’m more into theoretical physics and modelling, and expect to go into geophysics or seismology. I don’t consider myself much of a hands-on person, though I do wish to apply what I know. Engineering sounds like a great choice, really, but if you didn’t already get accepted to Viterbi, there is no guarantee of getting in. Also, if you do decide to take engineering and if you do get into Viterbi, you have to consider what kind of engineer you want to be. Also know that if you decide to major in some sort of engineering, double majoring - or even minoring - will be difficult and require a lot of planning.</p>

<p>I’m sure you’ll come out fine regardless of what you choose. And if you do decide on Physics/CompSci, I hope to see you at SC! =D</p>

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<p>@Aersus: Check your pm!</p>

<p>It’s been a while since i’ve frequented this forum due to finals and whatnot and I fear that the thread’s title may no longer be relevant. After giving it a great deal of thought, I’ve been looking into doing a Physics and or Astronomy major. Looking through the requirements at my college, I see a significant overlap and believe I can double major in it and leave room for other things i might be interested in.</p>

<p>Now, I hear that physics majors are in demand to work as quants/ banking (honestly, i have no idea what this entails at all) due to their high mathematical capabilities. Could someone please enlighten me on what exactly physics majors who go into these fields do? Also, should i pursue an astronomy major, would I be at a disadvantage if I should seek to enter these fields? The mathematics requirements for both majors are identical at my college. I would also appreciate comments of any sort regarding the usefulness/rigor of astronomy as it stands or in relation to physics.</p>

<p>Thank you for taking the time! (:</p>

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<p>I majored in physics and graduated recently (I’m 22). I’m not really using my degree now, except to tutor physics. I’m not sure if it was all that useful or not. I feel like I learned a lot of critical thinking and problem solving skills. On the other hand, it’s amazing how quickly you forget the specific knowledge from classes when you’re not using it.</p>

<p>Anyway, how sure are you that you want to work in a science-related job when you graduate? A physics undergrad degree basically won’t prepare you for anything, long story short. You’d have to go to physics grad school, and then you could do research or something. An engineering degree would qualify you for some jobs that you wouldn’t be able to get without it.</p>

<p>On the other hand, if you get a physics degree (and do well in school), it will signal to people that you’re really smart, and you’re good with numbers and logical thinking. Most students these days don’t end up in a career that their degree specifically qualified them for anyway (except engineers!). So if you enjoy physics, and you’re pretty sure you don’t want to be an engineer, physics would be just as good a major as any. And you’ll be more motivated to do well if you’re doing a subject you enjoy.</p>

<p>Long story short, depending on your career interests (which, if you’re like me, you probably don’t have a very good idea of what you want to do as a career right now), physics is probably a great idea for you.</p>

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<p>Physics majors who go on to be Quants are generally writing code to simulate financial models, or producing financial models which usually involves solving differential equations. I did my undergrad in physics in the UK but people generally went on to become actuaries (again this tends to be dealing with models involving probabilities, so for example working out how much to charge people for insurance) or finance jobs. There is also lots of scope of management consultancy (companies which help other companies run more efficiently), statistics. I know people who went on to work for London Underground, air traffic control, patent work, some work for google, software design and more boring jobs like accountancy. There really are a full range of jobs available from very highly paid jobs to more interesting jobs (and both if you’re lucky).</p>

<pre><code>The physics degree basically tells an employer that you’re capable of assimilating and processing technical ideas. So if you don’t know for example how to program in C++ it is likely you would be able to learn. Then if they decided to migrate their software to a different language they’d be confident you would be able to learn that too.
</code></pre>

<p>For this reason it doesn’t really matter whether what you learn in your degree applies directly to the “real world”, since you’re unlikely to ever directly apply any of it to a future career. As an example friends of mine who are doing string theory PhDs (possibly the most abstract field they could have chosen) often end up with the highest paid jobs (some start at $100k and go up quickly) because it’s such a mathematically competitive field that an employer can guarantee a very high caliber candidate.
I would advise against committing to specializing in astronomy before you’ve even started your degree. Depending on how competitive you are mathematically you may wish to pursue more mathematical or theoretical aspects of the course (these are generally more interesting but also more challenging). Few people who started an undergrad in physics still found the same area the most interesting when they left.</p>

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<p>Can somebody advise me about the relative quality of these schools’ physics undergraduate departments?: WashU. St. Louis, Univ. of Chicago, Swarthmore, Williams, Carleton, and Grinnell.</p>

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<p>UChicago has, by far, the best physics department of the schools that you listed. </p>

<p>The others I am less familiar with and I can’t really compare WUSTL with the others but Swarthmore > Carleton = Williams > Grinnell for physics from my experiences. WUSTL is still a strong physics school but I can’t really compare it to LACs.</p>

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<p>@physicsdad, uChicago is definitely the best by far. I’d actually say that Washingtonu st. Louis is second best. I’ve heard really good things shot its physics program. Try looking at Cornell and university of Maryland or Illinois if you have kids interested in those school.</p>

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<p>@physicsdad, uChicago is definitely the best by far. I’d actually say that Washingtonu st. Louis is second best. I’ve heard really good things shot its physics program. Try looking at Cornell and university of Maryland or Illinois if you have kids interested in those schools.</p>

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<p>Thank you all for your insights. My son is a senior in high school and, as my name indicates, has a strong interest in the sciences. But he also knows that he loves all of the sciences, and the wide knowledge that LAC’s go for too [he is anticipating that, given his age, maybe he will want to shift majors] so that is why I included them on my list. He has an A average, 4.1 on a 4.5 scale, and scored 2250 on his SATs. Does he have a shot at Stanford or Princeton?</p>