Programs Should I do a math or an astronomy double major for general relativity?

[professorprogfrog]

Hi! I'm going into college during the fall, (Stony Brook University in the US) and I want to research general relativity in the future. I can choose to do an astronomy or math double major alongside my physics degree, and I want to know which degree will best prepare me for a graduate program in GR

 

[Choppy]

There's advantages and disadvantages to each path, including just majoring in physics alone.

One thing that can help you decide is to go through the course calendar and pick out the courses that you most want to take and then see which program best lines up with what you want to do.

It can also help to book an appointment with an undergraduate program advisor.

Keep in mind that you may change your mind at some point as well. So it's a good idea to have a broad enough base at the start so that you can change gears if you want to without too much back tracking.

 

[CrysPhys]

Hi! I'm going into college during the fall, (Stony Brook University in the US) and I want to research general relativity in the future. I can choose to do an astronomy or math double major alongside my physics degree, and I want to know which degree will best prepare me for a graduate program in GR

Why tie yourself to the additional requirements of a double major? You can always take specific math or astronomy courses as electives. A double major has value only under limited circumstances (e.g., you want to go to grad school and are on the fence as to which major to pursue; or you apply to a job in which an undergrad degree in a specific major is required).