Major Definition and 1000 Threads

People never seem to mention optics when they talk about the core courses an undergraduate student majoring in physics should take. Yet, a professor told me it was a very useful course. Is it applicable to other areas in physics? How demanding is such a course? (my college uses Hecht's book...

I'm currently undecided between ME and EE. I have much more of an interest in how electronics work than machines. The thing is that I'm not sure how good I am at electrical circuits, etc. I have never taken an electronics class - only Physics I (mechanics). I got an A- in physics and A- in both...

If you personally had to decide on the college major that you would probably be the most bored studying which one would it be?

Could anyone give an insight as to how difficult a statistics major is? My college doesn't offer any probability classes until the junior year, so I'd have no way of knowing what it's like until then. My fear is that I'll wind up taking all these prereqs and end up hating or not understanding...

I have to choose an undergrad major but I’m not sure.. I’m torn between these 3 majors: civil eng, mathematics, interior design My interests are very vast(that’s why I’m very indecisive about my major); it’s mostly math and arts, buildings/roads/bridges/interiors/furniture/ My strengths...

I'm wondering if I'll be able to find a job once I graduate, if my grad school plans don't pan out. I'm graduating with a BA in physics from a University of California, to be able to take computer science classes on the side (enough for a minor). Am I qualified enough to get software engineering...

I'm starting my fourth semester at the local community college soon and I plan to transfer to a university next fall. At our community college, the advisers have you take precalculus algebra immediately if you place out of all remedial math. We aren't given the option to take calculus...

My ultimate goal is to become a theoretical physicist (after I have received my PhD)researching at a university. I am currently looking at majors and minors available for me as an undergrad. I was thinking of majoring in physics, and making my minor, mathematics? What are your thoughts on what I...

I'm majoring in computer engineering, I already have decided this. But the problem is my minor - I wish to minor in astrophysics. Is this ok with my choice of major?

Ancient Greek over Modern Physics?? I'm a Math, Nuke E major Hi, This fall, I'm 3rd yr math major w/ a nuke E minor, & looking to get into grad school in Nuke E. It's alright if you say this is stupid, I merely want to know what you think. I plan to take ancient greek 101 over modern...

Telling your professors what your major is... I think this is definitely a lower level topic, but a couple of days ago one of my professors asked me what my major is and when I told her...she knit her eyebrows and gave me a look of...scorn I guess. I am not sure really, but it was not a good...

Hello, this is my first post in physics forum and I need some help in my future major selection. I plan to go into research in biology, and would like to go into computational biology in grad/med school (MD/PhD programs). I plan to double major in biochem and either math/statistics, and I will...

I'm an "engineering physics" major. However, I am interested in adding a double major of ME, EE, or AE, due to interest and increased employ-ability. Due to how my university organizes things and other circumstances, it can be very difficult to double major. Would it be to my disadvantage...

Hi, Just a bit of background first: I'm going to be a sophomore this upcoming school year and my current major is Computer Science. I intend to apply to graduate school for a PhD in CS. However, I've become really interested in getting a double major in Applied and Computational Math as well...

I haven't reached Calculus yet and I'm already scoring low on Trig exams. I think I may have to reconsider my options of becoming an engineer. Well the majority of my errors come from careless mistakes and even when I'm careful I make little errors which accumulates. I like the idea of becoming...

I know the field is kind of slow right now, but do you think it will pick up? It interests me a lot and I would love to work for Boeing after college. Do you think it will be in demand in 5-6 years? Thanks! Also, a kid I know wants to be one and he said all the baby boomers will retire in...

Hi, I'm not sure what I should major in. They both interest me a lot. How is the job stability? How is the pay? I know how to write in Java, but I can learn more before college (I have a year). What is you input on this? Thanks

I'm going for my BS in pure math at a state university. However, I know it's pretty difficult to find a job with a pure math degree, so now I'm trying to find a second major that will help me find a job after I graduate. Ultimately, I want to go to grad school, but I know that I have to work a...

I am currently in my last year of a B.S. Physics degree. I have an emphasis in medical physics and have spent the past year interning at the local cancer center's radiation oncology department. I love the field, but interning has made me realize that the patient interaction is not for me. I'd...

Hello all. I'm a recently graduated high school student entering a liberal arts university. Right now, my intention is to major in physics. But I'm concerned about several things: First, I'm concerned about whether there are any career opportunities for a physics b.s. I've heard that physicists...

I contend this cannot be done! A popular method of modeling non-linear cores is to obtain the values for remnant flux density, saturation flux density, and the coercive force at some major hysteresis curve, and to then mathematically extrapolate a curve (a few other parameters are also needed...

I'm finished with most of my Astrophysics bachelors and I find myself struggling to think about what I learned about the universe as a whole. I did the major because I'm very contemplative of the existence of everything. I thought that studying the universe, which is infinite, and trying to see...

Did any of you take General Chemistry 2 as part of a physics degree? Most of my fellow students are engineers and they are only required to take Chem 1, but the physics degree lists Chem 2 as a recommended course. Either way, is this something that would prevent me from taking any third year...

hello, This is going to be my first post on pf, even though I have been following the insightful topics for a long time.I have majored in physics and after that I have decided to follow a grad course and do something where I can apply my knowledge of physics and get a good job after it. can...

I am a mechanical engineering and math double major at a state-university, and as far as math goes am mostly focusing on math that can be applied to the fields of engineering (specifically mechanical and nuclear). I am going to be finished with all of the undergrad differential equations...

I was thinking about majoring in physics with a minor in an engineering like chemical. electrical,or materials science. I want to ultimately have a PhD in physics and an engineering. Do you think this is advisable? Or should i major in an engineering with physics minor?

I'm thinking about what major study. I want to work with developing more efficient alternative energies like solar or some other new emerging energies. I would want to also make these energies available for regular people to actually have powering their cars, homes, businesses, and cities. What...

I will be starting my freshmen year at college this September and I can't wait to do physics. I really want to learn as much physics as possible and do a lot of research. However I feel that I don't know enough math to go at the pace I really want to go at. Compared to most H.S students I did...

I'm majoring in math (2nd year) right now at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. I'm considering switching to a bigger/more well known school that has more credit in the real world. I want to be employable immediately when I graduate, and having an Honours in math from Lakehead to me...

http://www.northeastern.edu/registrar/major-2.html According to that site there is actually a difference. My university has two campuses and each offers one of each. The above is not my university and I don't know if those definitions applies to my university or are universal. At the end...

Hi, I am entering Rice University this fall as a Physics major, with the intention of double-majoring in Mathematics. Although I'd like to take every math class they have to offer, I need some advice on which math classes are crucial in providing a mathematical foundation and possibly a timeline...

I find it odd that most people commit to engineering before they've even tried taking an engineering course. People who go straight to four year colleges generally get admitted to an engineering major in high school. Likewise transfers frequently haven't had a chance to take any engineering...

I'm not sure if it's for me. I've never taken a physics course before, not even in high school. But I have an idea of what I'd be getting into, I've read a bit of material on my own. I have a good GPA (3.7), I'm decent in math (which is my 1st major actually) but I'm still not sure if I could...

Hey I'm currently headed off to University at Buffalo this fall for math and I'm stuck on scheduling. So far I know I'm talking Calculus II, but I'm not sure what else to take. What classes should I take as a freshman math major?

Double major: Astronautics & Astronomy..possible?? From the little research I've done, I've gathered that to double major at any university, there must be great overlap in the topics studied/researched (phd) associated with the degrees. I am curious as to how accurate this is and also as...

Other than C++, which is obvious, and MATLAB, which is unavoidable.

Hey PF, so like a lot of phys undergrads I've been thinking about what my job prospects are going to be out of college. I'd like to have options open to me other than teaching, so my question to you is this: If I were to double major in physics and either aeronautical engineering, electrical...

Hello! I am new to this site as you can see but I plan on being here for a while. I am just finishing my freshman year of college, and I have 20 unites with between a 3.4-3.7 GPA. This year I did not want to declare a major because I was to scared to commit to one.. Ive known my whole life I...

I'm going to be transferring to Virginia Tech from a community college in New York soon for Electrical Engineering, I have always had a strong aptitude for physics particularly E&M. I'm starting to think that I might want to end up going to graduate school for physics. My question is would a...

I wasn't sure where to post this question. I just received my undergraduate degree in Physics yesterday, and I noticed my degree just says "Bachelor of Science" with no mention of Physics on it. Most of the other majors' diplomas say "Bachelor of Science in XXXX", so I was wondering why mine...

Hello, I am currently a Jr. in high school and I am very interested in physics and computers. I would like to get a Ph.D. in physics (with emphasis of quantum mechanics or particle physics). For a career I would eventually like to build/research dealing with quantum computing, or be a particle...

HI, I have two choices right now to finish before graduation: Double major in physics and applied math And MS in physics degree ( concurrent program) I could only finish one of them in May next year. After graduation, I want to apply for a PhD program in finance or financial...

I switched my major to physics from Electrical Engineering, (I am finished with freshman year and will be starting sophomore year as physics major), and many people seem disappointed with the decision. I think it has mainly to do with how much money is made; physics vs. engineering. I have to...

Well didn't even start my degree yet but I'm trying to figure out what a math major does in co-op. What kind of gigs can he land? On another note, if you want to do research while you're in undergraduate, how can you even help? With sciences you can atleast help set up the lab but with math...

Hi, I'm a graduating senior in high school in NY. I'm going to be attending a mostly liberal arts college in NH next year; but I will most likely major in one type of engineering. My engineering interests include AI, cloud computing, semiconductors, energy storage systems (ultracapacitors...

I have heard that social skills are very important. (I'm an engineering major.) What kind of social skills, specifically, are important? I have no problem carrying a conversation with an intelligent person about either a common interest we share or about an idea. This ranges from...

I have no idea about the topics posted on this part of the forum, nor have I had any slight experience about the things posted. Is this okay or normal if I'm still a first year ME major?

Good day everyone, I am currently doing an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering and minoring(specializing) in Instrumentations and Control Systems. I will be entering my final year September 2011, and in order to graduate I have to do a major project on anything involving the...

I'm currently in high school and I know it's a little early to decide on major/minors, but I really enjoy physics and math. The university I will be attending only offers a minor in physics, but it offers majors in theoretical, applied, and general mathematics and I was wondering which would be...

Hi, I'm going to UCI next year as a Computer Science major, and I was wondering about some stuff regarding graduate school. I know its kinda early, but I learned from high school that I should definitely plan things earlier :] So, just cause I'm going to UCI, does that mean I can't get...