<p>I am a (pure) math major looking to choose a minor. Everyone is directing me to computer science, but I have no experience in the field whatsoever. How about physics or chemistry? I am more interested in chemistry, but I realize that physics applies more to math. What are my options for jobs/grad school if I choose to minor in only one: compsci, physics, or chem?</p>
<p>I have to agree with “everyone”, programming and other computer skills will be more useful (as in generally marketable) from a job market point of view than physics or chem for a minor. However, for grad school or more specific employment around your minor field, your math skills could work very well with chemistry or also bio (especially in interdisciplinary areas, such as biostats and the like). With physics, I’m not so sure, because physics already involves a lot of math, and thus you’ll be less special among other candidates in an area where, as far as I know, there are fewer jobs. </p>
<p>In the end, minors usually don’t matter that much, so I would recommend picking something you enjoy more. There is no wrong choice, and if it happens to be chemistry, then from my point of view, it’s also a smart choice because it’s a less common one, thus you may stand out more.</p>
<p>I have to agree with everyone as well: a few focused computer science and/or applied math classes (e.g. statistics, scientific computing, …) in addition to your pure math major will make you employable straight out of college. A minor in econ can help you get a job in finance or consulting if that’s something you are interested in. Physics or chemistry classes won’t add to your employability, but they can help you prepare you for graduate school in a more applied field.</p>
<p>What kinds of focused compsci classes should I take for best employment opportunity? </p>
<p>What are examples of applied fields I could enter with a chemistry minor?</p>
<p>Intro to programming, some more programming, analysis of algorithms… if you do a minor in CS, you won’t have that much choice anyway (computer architecture, operating systems, assembly language…). I have a minor in CS, took the minimum 6 courses and “snuck in” 2 math courses, the max allowed to be double counted, one was numerical analysis (there was a similar course offered in CS but being in math, took the math one) and another was on fractals and chaos. Also took a few more applied math courses that did involve a decent amount of CS related stuff (linear programming, more numerical analysis).</p>
<p>I am not entirely sure about the second question, but I have at least one friend in applied math who does things related to the oil industry. It’s all about modeling differential equations and solving numerically, finding the best algorithms, etc. He was a double-major math and CS though (and computer engineer, long story…). Anywho, I’m pretty sure it could also be useful in the pharmaceutical industry.</p>
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That depends largely on what sort of employment you are looking for, and what classes your school offers. </p>
<p>If you only take a few computer science classes, don’t worry too much about completing a minor. Many of the “core classes” in the field (computer organization, compilers, theory of computation…) aren’t nearly as useful as high-speed computing, computer graphics, database management, web design, or many other electives that your CS department might offer.</p>