<p>Hello, I am an incoming freshman, i will be starting school in about two weeks and it just dawned on me that I need about 26 hours in a support field and although I'm fairly certain I could just minor in something I feel I would much rather have a double major. I've talked to the advising staff at my university and they seemed to believe that it would be totally fine for me to do a double major, there was no talk of it requiring me to take an extra year of school or anything of that nature.</p>
<p>All of that aside I'm strongly considering either Computer Science of Computer Engineering as these both interest me but I don't know quite to what degree these would complement physics. I know that the physics background would help with getting a job doing something like comp sci or comp e in the future but the plan is to get a job doing some sort of theoretical astrophysics no matter how wishful that dream may be it is still my goal.</p>
<p>So with that in mind that I want a job in theoretical astrophysics once I get a PhD which, of course won't be for quite some time. I'm wondering if maybe there's another major that would better suite this. I figure Comp Sci would be good so that I'm more accustomed to coding and can design computer models more easily.</p>
<p>Tl;DR Version
I want to have a double major with physics, something that would compliment it well with the idea in mind that my ultimate goal in all of this is to go into theoretical astrophysics in the future most likely. Definitely something involving astrophysics though.</p>
<hr>
<p>I do already have a thread up in this same forum I just figured starting a new one considering I have a new question would be the best idea. I am sorry if I made a wrong decision and that I should of posted this as a reply in my old thread I just assumed a new topic would get more attention as this is a pressing matter for me and it is a completely new topic.</p>
<p>Nothing wrong with a double major, and that one isn’t particularly outlandish in any way. I say go for it. CS majors definitely benefit from the perspective that having a specialty outside of just “tech” gives you, whether that is math, finance, engineering, law, political science, economics, physics, etc. I recommend computer science over computer engineering, unless you plan to design computer hardware. It definitely “complements” physics more.</p>
<p>Just consider this: while most physicists DO manage to find a job, very few end up working in the field they were trained in/ their first choice. So don’t be upset if astrophysics turns out to be a pipe dream. No reason not to try though.</p>
<p>CS is a perfectly good option. If you end up doing an Astrophysics Ph.D., then computing is a big part of the field. Another viable option might Applied Mathematics.</p>
<p>Computer Science is a beneficial complement to just about any scientific field. Astrophysicists benefit greatly from knowing how to write programs and simulations and such. Physics majors at many schools are required to at least take an introductory programming class, and it’s because it really is beneficial. </p>
<p>I’m a physics major, and I’ve considered doing a minor in computer science for this very reason. I’ve ultimately decided to do a math minor instead, but I still contemplate whether I should do a computer science minor rather than math. </p>
<p>I just wanted to say that just because there was “no talk” of it requiring longer to graduate or that your advisor seemed to think you could do it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t actually plan it out for yourself. Look at all of the course requirements and see what your four year plan would look like with both majors. Be aware of how difficult or easy it would be to do both majors. It might require heavy loads every semester or taking summer classes or having the inability to take other courses of interest. It might take away from time from research or other activities that would strengthen a graduate school application. Don’t assume it’ll be fine just because your advisor “seemed to believe that it would be totally fine” unless you both actually looked at what your schedule would look like with this double major.</p>
<p>That’s a very worthwhile point. You really should sit down and see what classes are required for both majors, and work out a rough schedule of when you would be taking what courses. If you end up with semesters in which you’re taking 5 upper level physics/math/computer science classes, you’re going to have a very rough time. </p>
<p>It might require summer classes. Do you plan on doing internships or research over the summer? If so, having classes is going to make that very difficult. You need to consider all of the factors before dedicating yourself to it. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that there are a lot of aspects of computer science that would not really be relevant to physics. The relevant parts are some of the more specific applied parts of it. There are a lot of aspects to a computer science degree that would be completely irrelevant to a career in physics. Doing a minor would allow you to focus on the more relevant aspects, while still leaving some free time for elective courses and research. That’s a point worth considering. </p>