Triple Major

Hey, I just wanted to post asking how feasible it is to attempt a triple major for my bachelors degree.

I was wanting to major in physics/mathematics/computer science to get myself into the quantum computing/information/cryptography world because it relies on all of those, and after that, I want to get a PhD in either CS or Phys (depends which I prefer in undegrad years).

After looking at all the required courses for each, and subtracting the ones I completed in high school, it will add up to only about 130-150 credit hours of schooling. Is this possible or even allowed in a reasonable amount of time?

(Also I had no idea which subtopic to place this in, so sorry if it’s not correct)

I think that it is probably okay to start with these. However, whether you initially intend to or not, I would expect you to cut back to one major or at most two well before graduating.

I did NOT double major in math and CS because where I was a CS major required a lot of electrical engineering. I just took the computer programming / algorithms part of the CS major informally, while graduating with a degree in math.

You might similarly find that you like and see a use for all of the required courses for one major, but not for all three.

Ask about this at colleges when you visit and do your research. I suspect you’ll find that practically speaking, you’ll have to pick at most two of those three majors and add in a course or two from the other(s) – assuming that you still want this academic path after you’ve been in college a couple of years. Taking 140 credits over 4 years is about 18 credits per semester, which might be do-able, but leaves you vulnerable to scheduling hiccups that could cost you time at graduation. More to the point, such a tight schedule might not accommodate other things you might want to do, like undergrad research which is likely to be more impressive than a third major when you apply to grad school. Good luck

I wonder if you can try to find colleges where there is a “dual degree program” in 2 out of the 3 desired majors. That way, the school would already have reconciled two of the majors together, and then it might be easier to work out how to add the third.

For example, DePaul has a BS in Math & Compsci

http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/academics/Pages/BSInMathComputerScience.aspx

Then you can add physics maybe

https://csh.depaul.edu/academics/physics/undergraduate/Pages/default.aspx

I did a double major, and it’s not really hard. There is a lot of overlap at the lower levels between those three, so it is probably doable, but you will probably find a lot of older people advising against it. Yes your intended field involves pieces of all three…but that’s what grad school is for, and PhD programs. You don’t have to throw it all into your bachelor degrees, because all those combined won’t get you there anyway. Talk to some experts in the field – that’s certainly not me! – but I anticipate they will tell you that you are overthinking this at the undergrad level.

I would be sure to look at the course sequence for dual degree programs. For example, my son looked at the BS in Physics/Computer Science at USC (the SoCal one, not the Carolina one). It is a watered down degree in either physics or computer science, and does not seem like it would be good for someone intending to get a PhD.

For “quantum computing/information/cryptography” I would suggest either a physics or CS degree at a college where there is some research happening in quantum computation, big data, and/or cryptography.

Either physics or CS will have a significant math requirement. (Physics requires more math, but CS requires perhaps more useful math for those fields if you are in a theory-heavy CS program.) So, you don’t need a separate math major for those fields.

If you major in physics, take CS courses on the side. If you major in CS, get at least a minor in physics (including quantum mechanics if you still like that). The secondary field may or may not be a double-major. Grad schools look at the courses you took.

Make sure you do research as an undergrad in some of these fields that interest you–either/both on your campus or as an REU or SURF during the summer.

I’ll be a senior in college in the fall, plan to go into crypto (I favor cryptanalysis, but still not decided in which subfield of crypto I want to focus), and am a double major in math and CS (I also have minors in music and dance).

It depends on exactly what you want to do with crypto (there’s many ways of approaching crypto, including quantum crypto), but I would double major in two of the topics and minor in the other (or major in one and double minor in the others). Or even just major in one and take classes in the others.

From my independent research, multiple internship experiences, and course experiences, I’ve actually discovered that the math background is actually much more important than a CS background for crypto, and you’ll learn more than enough as a CS minor, or by taking a few CS classes. You can teach a math major to code on the job, but a CS major can’t necessarily pick up the higher level math needed (abstract algebra, number theory, advanced calculus topics). Neither a physics major nor a CS major will include these necessary math courses, so if you choose not to major in math, you will need to add these to your schedule as electives. I’m also not sure you need the full physics major either, as you only really need the courses in quantum mechanics (and whatever prerequisites to take them).

If you decide to triple major, it won’t really be possible in four years, and would most likely take 5-6 years.

You really don’t need to triple major. It will not give you the benefit you probably think it will. You will be able to achieve your postgraduate goals with any one of those majors–most people who pursue those areas for graduate studies will have had a single major. You can supplement your major by taking relevant electives in the other areas.

Thank you everyone for the advice!

After looking at it more I think I have an idea planned out. I want to double major in physics and mathematics (by the time I’m out of high school I’ll have taken 6 semesters of college math, so that shouldn’t be too difficult) and I’m going to take all the “theoretical CS” and “cryptography” classes and not the software engineering courses (unless it’s a prerequisite)

This is also because I prefer the theoretical aspect of quantum computing, so I think physics would be the right way to go.

Honestly, getting a masters is probably more efficient than triple majoring (which can take up to 6 years if you aren’t careful).