Unsure Math Major

<p>Okay, I'll be a junior this fall at Cal Poly Pomona. However, during orientation, I learned of something that kind of struck me as bad. I had wanted to double major in both applied mathematics & physics, but they are not allowing us to double major anymore at this university. I don't really want to pick one or the other or just take a minor in physics.</p>

<p>So, I thought about transferring because maybe another institution (in particular, UC Davis because they allow a combination of 4 year + CC units that isn't capped and although I know my admission is not their highest priority, it's still worth a shot) would let me do this. My math advisers kept telling me that I might need to take three years to graduate, but if this is the case and I find that I don't like it at CPP, why would I want to stay three years to complete only one major? I feel like I'm missing out on a major part of my education by being limited.</p>

<p>What do you mean by they won’t “allow” you to double major? You be able to take your electives in anything you wish…provided that you meet the prereqs and there is space available after the Physics majors registered.</p>

<p>As in they will not let you graduate with two degrees. It’s the state’s way of making people graduate in the “traditional” time, I guess. I was told this directly at orientation.</p>

<p>They will allow us to minor…but yeah. I want both degrees.</p>

<p>Like GLOBALTRAVELER said, you are free to do the work for a double major (without getting it recognized) if you sincerely care about both subjects. Why do you care so much about getting the double major recognized? A double major in math/physics is not going to give you an advantage over a single major on the job market, and graduate schools will be able to tell from your coursework that you did the work for both majors.</p>

<p>If you double majored in geology and computer science, or management and engineering, I could see where you are coming from. Those are combinations that might qualify you for more jobs and I’d definitely want my resume to say, “Look, I am trained in both!”</p>

<p>You don’t need two degrees if your interests are in both applied mathematics and physics. You just take the courses. Let’s say that you selected a graduate program that does research in mathematical physics…that school (like b@r!um pointed out) will know that you have the course background by your transcripts.</p>

<p>On top of that, since applied mathematics and physics are so closely related, you should be able to complete both majors within the 120-semester/180-quarter hour degree program anyway.</p>

<p>Alright, thank you for both of your advice.</p>