<p>Hey guys,
I'm finishing up my first year of college now as a Bio major, and I've been giving a lot of thought as to my plans for the next 3 years. I am still very set on becoming a doctor, as I really think working in a clinical setting is something I'd enjoy doing (I've volunteered in hospitals before, so i have some experience). But, to be perfectly honest, I really dont like Biology ALL that much. I think some things, like Cancer research and viruses are really neat, but I...just don't like the approach to learning Biology, and it just doesn't seem to appeal to me as much as it used to. </p>
<p>Now on the other hand, physics is something I've always liked as a kid, and I really enjoy reading books on physics (paritcuarly Relativity, Einstein, etc etc), but I've always thought that the major that you took in college corresponded exactly with your career plans. Is it practical/ill advised to consider a major switch to physics, while still fully intending to go into the medical field? Anyone know how the medical school rate is for physics majors? </p>
<p>most of the courses in physics aren't going to be directly related to the medical field, including quantum mechanics, e&m, etc. topics like relativity and einstein aren't huge parts of physics, it's more of their implications on physical systems. it's not going to be like what you read in books, which are usually broad overviews of the subject. </p>
<p>math skills are crucial in physics, as well as the ability to conceptually understand an idea as opposed to memorizing a formula. it's probably also a good idea to take more biology and chemistry courses in search of applications to the medical field as well. i love physics (it's my major), but don't do it if you're not sure about it. are you going to wustl next year imran?</p>
<p>yeah p reepa, i think im gonna be off to wustl next year (unless stanford accepts me by some freak coincidence), but that's an interesting point you bring up; personally, I enjoy learning a subject through understanding it rather than just plain memorization, which is another BIG reason I'm kinda "meh" on the whole sticking with biology thing for four more years. I dunno, it just seems like I should take up something I really enjoy in college, and I like physics (at least what iv'e read in those books you get at Barnes and Noble :P ) more than biology. I'll probably take a course or 2 in biophysics (which is offered at wustl). I'm going to sleep on this idea a bit and talk to my friends and stuff, but I'm pretty enthusiastic about it, so (hopefully) commitment wont be an issue. How is it being a physics major p reepa? if i remember, u were on the transfer boards too, are you going to wustl next year?</p>
<p>yeah, that's why i'm not a fan of biology. i'm not sure about the wustl physics department, but i think they have some biophysics courses offered as a specialization. the first two years of physics courses are very boring...classical mechanics (newton's laws), electricity and magnetism, and optics are usually what's covered. usually after those core courses, you start your specialization courses in your third year. this is when you really apply your knowledge and start to take interesting courses like quantum mechanics and more intensive labs. on another note, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics (related to quantum mechanics) are very closely tied to chemistry, so that might be another possible major choice (physical chemistry / biophysical chemistry). read up on some topics in physics on wikipedia...i find it to be a good introduction to the subject. i might go to wustl, but i'm waiting on 3 more schools. good luck.</p>
<p>^ just, like with the whole memorization thing? Hmm, well in all fairness, I have a good memory, but it's just a pain to drill **** into my head, and I just think taking a more conceptually based science like physics as a major would develop good analytic skills (which can't hurt being a doctor, to the best of my knowledge). </p>
<p>and yeah p reepa, I"ve been reading wikipedia on physics qutie a bit :P I agree though, classical mechanics and E&M doesn't really appeal to me , but topics like relativity and just astrophysics in general is really interesting.</p>
<p>it's good that you bring that memorization aspect / difficulty of medical school aspect up imran and bdm. in fact, that's one of the biggest issues i have with becoming a doctor. do you ever feel like you're not really using the full extent of your brain power in medical school, bdm? is there any room for innovation and creativity in medicine / medical school as opposed to rote memorization?</p>