<p>I just discovered that Computer Science is the only major in the SEAS that doesn't have engineering in the title. What the heck? That means, since I must get a BS in Computer Science (don't want a BA), I have no way of minoring in pure math or pure physics, which is what I want to do. </p>
<p>You need to ask whether an engineering major can do a minor in the College. There are many other cases where people are in majors and minors that cross the borders of the schools. </p>
<p>Well, I personally want a BS in CS. But I’d imagine a lot of engineers would want a minor in a pure science. And I’ve also heard that cross majoring between schools is a nightmare. </p>
<p>My S is doing a dual major - Engineering in SEAS and Physics in the College. Didn’t seem to be considered much of a problem to set up. </p>
<p>My son did a BS in Commerce (McIntire) and a second major in Econ (College). No issues at all.</p>
<p>Many students double major because they arrive at UVa with tons of AP credit. The more AP credit you have, the easier it is to meet requirements of two different programs.</p>
<p>From an engineering standpoint, it doesn’t make sense to minor in a pure science. I don’t see what’s wrong with the BA? It’s almost identical. It’s not like a BS in chemistry vs a BA, it really is equivalent. There were two students - one did a BS and one did a BA - guess which one had the 3.94 GPA? Both went to Berkeley for grad school. You can minor in applied math.</p>
<p>What I personally do not understand is why there is not a dual CS/math major being offered.</p>
<p>As an aside, SEAS offers an Engineering Science major which may be of interest to some students interesting in combining disciplines. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.seas.virginia.edu/acad/programs/engrsci/”>http://www.seas.virginia.edu/acad/programs/engrsci/</a></p>
<p>I majored in SEAS and minored in the College. It’s very achievable, you just have to be able to get into the required classes (which isn’t hard once you get up into second year and beyond). </p>
<p>Keep in mind that minors play very little in future things, such as jobs and grad school. Minors are designed to focus an interest in larger majors or express a minor skill/expertise. Double majors are much more valuable.</p>
<p>Also, engineering isn’t a pure science. It’s a blend of sciences and the <strong>application</strong> of them to solve problems or make process/product improvements. Engineering is a science of its own, it’s an applied science though, not a natural one like organic chemistry or plant biology or quantum physics. When you look at a chemistry degree versus a chemical engineering degree, they’re extremely different: chemistry studies the reactions that occur naturally, whereas the ChemE will use apply the science of those reactions to create/modify/etc something. Engineering doesn’t happen without a brain applying thought to the natural sciences to make something else occur. That’s why it’s so much fun :)</p>