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Major in ComSci, physics grad school?

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:05 am
by CyberShot
I'm in my 3rd year and I just switched my major over to computer science from physics, as this allows me to keep my career options much more open. This means I've already taken the required lower division math/physics classes for a physics major.

Now, I know it'd be hard to get accepted to a physics PhD program from just a CS B.S., but could I at least get into some lower level Masters programs in physics (maybe with a computation physics emphasis?) if I decide that physics is what I really want to do post-graduation?

I'm doing undergrad in Northern California at a UC, if it helps.

Thanks

Re: Major in ComSci, physics grad school?

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:26 am
by admissionprof
CyberShot wrote:I'm in my 3rd year and I just switched my major over to computer science from physics, as this allows me to keep my career options much more open. This means I've already taken the required lower division math/physics classes for a physics major.

Now, I know it'd be hard to get accepted to a physics PhD program from just a CS B.S., but could I at least get into some lower level Masters programs in physics (maybe with a computation physics emphasis?) if I decide that physics is what I really want to do post-graduation?

I'm doing undergrad in Northern California at a UC, if it helps.

Thanks
The degree isn't as important as the courses. Do you really think you should go to grad school in physics without the upper division (junior/senior) physics courses? Jackson without junior level E&M? If you take one each of QM, EM, CM (level of Griffiths), then you'd have a decent chance of a lower level graduate program, regardless of the degree.

Of course, if you don't want funding, then you can probably get into many places, take the undergrad courses for a semester or two, then graduate courses

Re: Major in ComSci, physics grad school?

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 3:22 am
by pqortic
CyberShot wrote:I'm in my 3rd year and I just switched my major over to computer science from physics, as this allows me to keep my career options much more open...

...if I decide that physics is what I really want to do post-graduation?
first you need to sit and think about your future. what do you really want to do? do you want to make money with physics or Comsc? you cannot work in both of them.