<p>So I am now in the situation that I don't know what to major in.
I am currently doing the IB with math, physics and economics at Higher Level and I am enjoying math and physics the most. I know that I don't want to do pure math, I like the applied side of math more and that's why I like physics, in general I love problem solving using mathematical methods. I am very interested how the world and things especially cars, planes, ships, things that move work and I want to know for example which circumstances result in that one plane flighs higher or is faster than the other or why one ship is faster than the other (fluid mechanics).In my physics class I like mechanics the most. Tasks like calculating how much fuel do you need to get to mars would be fun for me. I have to say that I hate art and I am terrible at hand-ons, I am bad with my hands so I don't want a major which involves things like this. I am not good at biology, decent at chemistry but my strong points are definetely math and physics.
So based on this information what major du you think is the best for me?
Thanks in advance for your answers :)</p>
<p>I don’t think any of us on this board can decide which major is “best” for you. Even with you saying that Math and Physics are your strong points, that still leaves a lot of majors as options:</p>
<p>Applied Mathematics
Computational Mathematics
Applied Physics
Engineering Physics
Engineering Mechanics (may be an “off-shoot” of Applied or Engineering Physics)
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Computational Engineering/Computational Science
Engineering Science</p>
<p>See?..there are so many choices for just being good at Math and Physics. The good thing about being undecided when it comes to Math, Physics or Engineering is that almost all of those majors have pretty much the same curriculum for the freshman and sophomore years. This gives you even more time to decide on a major.</p>
<p>^ Is computational engineering/computational science the same as computer science?</p>
<p>I think you should do the one you like the most, but if you like programming I recommend checking out CS/applied math double major. It only takes 3 extra classes due to overlaps and you will be very employable. If you do a pure applied math, you will most likely struggle to find a job…</p>
<p>Thanks for your quick answers!
As abovementioned I don’t want to major in pure math, I like the applied Math much more. But I don’t know if my interest in physics and processes in the world will be satisfied when I major in applied math. I like programming as well and I will think about double majoring cs/applied math. I don’t know about engineering because I hate hand-ons and I am bad at art. And I don’t know about majoring in physics because I am not absolutely passionate about it and the job prospects are not so good and this is very important for me.
Looking forward to your answers, you are awesome guys :)</p>
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<p>No…related but not the same. Computational engineering/science is more concerned with modeling algorithms that can apply numerical analysis or statistical computations for scientific applications (think scientific programming on steroids). Computer science is more concerned with the theory of computation and the design of computational systems.</p>
<p>Probably the best way to differentiate the two disciplines is looking at the academic coursework. Computational engineering & science would require introductory programming and probably algorithms and data structures from the CS department. After that, computational engineering would take courses like computational fluid dynamics or computational electromagnetics or computational biology…areas to apply computation to science.</p>
<p>CS majors would also take operating systems, compiler design, database systems. </p>
<p>A CS major may work to CREATE new or improved operating systems…or to create new computer network software.</p>
<p>A Computational engineer or scientist would USE operating systems or database systems in order to provide computational solutions for engineering and science.</p>
<p>Of course there are jobs that both majors could do.</p>
<p>Note that I would rather study engineering or applied math than Computer engineering/Science, I am more interested in physics and how things work/move than programming :)</p>
<p>Well computer engineering has a huge electrical component to it. You have to know how the computer works, after all. So if you’re into E/M it might be worth looking into.</p>
<p>I am not that interested in EE or Hardware :/</p>
<p>Based on the OP… maybe mechanical engineering?
- you like vehicles and things that move;
- you like mechanics;
- you don’t want to do electrical stuff;
- you don’t want to program.
Mechanical, aerospace, or civil may all be good fits.</p>
<p>@TheMagicMan10, It sounds to me that you should major in either applied math/physics or mechanical engineering(which is very related to physics). Start as either one and take courses that count for the three of them until you decide what do you like the most</p>
<p>Yeah I was thinking about that too thanks for your answer 
do you need to be good at hand-ons? Because I really hate it and I am very bad at it :/</p>
<p>Mechanical Engineering is very hands on from what I have seen, although I am no expert. At the work place most engineers spend most of the time on design. I think physics is hands on as well because of the labs. Maybe applied math is better for you, and the majors globaltraveler mention are good for someone with problem solving skills who is not good at hands on. None of this majors require you to be good at art.</p>
<p>Being interested in how things robots, cars and such work would be part of mechanical engineering</p>
<p>I am pretty much like you! Although, I am going to end up going to graduate school hopefully for physics. I’m bad at hands-on as well, yet I chose a hands-on school. Go figure. I’d say major in Applied Math and get a minor in CS. Or do the double major. I personally am doing an Applied Math/Statistics major with a physics minor. Both me and my friend (he’s doing MechE) wish we were doing physics, though! We don’t want to struggle for jobs straight out of college tho if we look for them.</p>
<p>Why do you wish you were doing physics?</p>