Major in Mathematics and Minor is Physics?

[Lunasly]

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Hey guys,

I am in my freshman year. I started out by taking a few of my pre-reqs for med school. I have been reading a few threads and I really have to agree with a lot of you in that I believe it is a very good idea to major in something I would enjoy. I really enjoy math and physics and would love to major in them. Perhaps become a professor at a university if I decide medical school is not for me or if I don't ever get in. However, I also read that it is not wise to complete certain majors such as chemical engineering or any sort of engineering as most of the students who complete this sort of major come out with a very low GPA. Would you say that a major in mathematics and a minor in physics will also usually lead to a low GPA? If not, what do you guys think about a major in kinesiology and a minor in mathematics/physics?

Also if I do decide to go this path, I heard in addition to the pre-reqs, that it would be wise if I took some additional courses like biochemistry, organic chemistry, and physiology, and perhaps kinesiology?

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Richardh]

i think gpa depends largely on how a student does in class rather than the major itself. although chemical engineer majors take lots of difficult classes that doesn't necessary mean that everyone who is a chemical engineer major will get a low gpa. if the student loves the subject matter he/she will work hard and get As in the class.

so if you love math and physics then i think you will study hard and get excellent grades. it's really up to you to maintain a high gpa 🙂

it will certainly help if you take biochem, o-chem, physiology, etc on the side while you're a math major and physics minor. this is b/c it will help you understand the subjects covered on the medical college admission test which you will need to take later on. i think you will do fine on the physical science section, but the biological science section might be tough if you decide not to take these classes.

 

[Lunasly]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Yeah I definitely would be more interested in what I am reading. I mean I am not the best problem solver however I want to become better at problem solving and that is why I am taking these classes in addition to my interest. I am worried that because I am not that super smart problem solver that I won't get the GPA I want regardless of how much I study. Then again I have to agree that if it is a subject which I enjoy, I can't see how I won't do well. I guess I will have to try.

Any more suggestions would be great!

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

While the post above me brings up a good point it is extremely optimistic. To manage a good gpa as a chemical engineer you need to be either lucky or a genius the same applies to mathematics. Of course if you love mathematics heavily ( I'm hoping you've experienced calculus) and it makes you happy then you should go ahead and do that.
But statistically speaking your major will get no advantage in the eyes of the adcoms and will not make up for a low gpa. So trend carefully.

Btw there's a well known MD/MTSP mathematics major on this forum. His name is Ivy. Hopefully he'll come and give some advice.

 

[Lunasly]

Thanks for the reply.

I actually did a search before I started this thread and sa a few of Ivy's posts and I am really hoping he will stop by and give me some advice. I took calculus a year ago in highschool and did quite well in it overall (90%). I am currently taking calc I in my first semester of university and we just had our first midterm. It was on limits and the class average was about 50%. So I obviously did not do very well, but now I am very motivated as I am interested in what we are learning and I have an ambition to become better at what I fail at.

I know I would enjoy this major, but I am not sure if it is a good idea to switch over if it will decrease my chances of getting into med school just because it is a major which is more difficult then something else.

 

[Elpenor]

Thanks for the reply.

I actually did a search before I started this thread and sa a few of Ivy's posts and I am really hoping he will stop by and give me some advice. I took calculus a year ago in highschool and did quite well in it overall (90%). I am currently taking calc I in my first semester of university and we just had our first midterm. It was on limits and the class average was about 50%. So I obviously did not do very well, but now I am very motivated as I am interested in what we are learning and I have an ambition to become better at what I fail at.

I would advise you to pick a different major. Physics is arguably the hardest major one can choose and I cannot see you completing a physics major with a decent gpa if you are struggling with limits and calc 1.

 

[Lunasly]

Hmm, good point. 😛 I really appreciate all the comments and advice so far.

I'll be totally honest and say that I am definitely better at memorizing then problem solving. I mean some people get a problem in calculus and work their way through it some way or another. For me, if it is a question which I have never seen, it either takes me a really long time until I figure it out or I can't figure it out. I guess upper level mathematics would not be a very good choice. I heard that Kinesiology is really fun and I think I'd be pretty good at that. 😀

Any comments?

 

[Elpenor]

Just to clarify, I didn't intend to be offensive with my last post, just honest.

I too am very interested in physics / math, but I guess I'm just a wuss and never went beyond physics I and II. Also, from what I understand it is quite hard to get a job as a professor at a university.

That said, if you are a freshman you have plenty of time to make up your mind still. I would finish up calc I and II and then go into calc based physics and see how you like it. Try some introductory classes of w/e else you are interested in also. You will probably change your mind multiple times 🙂.

 

[GrigoriPerelman]

I am a math major and I would say at-least take some additional math courses before deciding to major in math some courses I would recommend taking are linear algebra, multivar and diff eq, finite math after this you sort of start getting the feel of what you are up for...

I also want to add math tends to be not that different from arts in the sense that you can make up only so much by hardwork and practice you have to have ingrained talent to do well and I have TA'd math classes and some student s 'just don't get it' which is quite common and to keep up a high gpa you must have that ability to assimilate abstract thoughts and absorb and understand theoretical concepts much like physics... though I do go to a school that is notorious for the rigor of its math program...

compared to biology or biochem to be a successful math major you have to be a certain type of person you cannot spend hours memorizing equations you must understand them and learn to apply them

Also IvyHopeful20 might have something important to add he always does !

 

[afugazzi]

Why not try taking a higher level physics course to see if you like it and if you can handle it before you commit? Maybe you can even sit in on a couple classes this semester to get an idea of the kind of math they will be dealing with before you sign up.

 

[tls24]

I am a math major and I would say at-least take some additional math courses before deciding to major in math some courses I would recommend taking are linear algebra, multivar and diff eq, finite math after this you sort of start getting the feel of what you are up for...

I definitely agree with this. If you do well with Calculus and enjoy it, then keep taking math. However, if you struggle and start not liking math, then think about choosing something else. You will find something that you like a lot and will be fine. Good luck!

 

[IvyHopeful20]

Hey guys,

I am in my freshman year. I started out by taking a few of my pre-reqs for med school. I have been reading a few threads and I really have to agree with a lot of you in that I believe it is a very good idea to major in something I would enjoy. I really enjoy math and physics and would love to major in them. Perhaps become a professor at a university if I decide medical school is not for me or if I don't ever get in. However, I also read that it is not wise to complete certain majors such as chemical engineering or any sort of engineering as most of the students who complete this sort of major come out with a very low GPA. Would you say that a major in mathematics and a minor in physics will also usually lead to a low GPA? If not, what do you guys think about a major in kinesiology and a minor in mathematics/physics?

Also if I do decide to go this path, I heard in addition to the pre-reqs, that it would be wise if I took some additional courses like biochemistry, organic chemistry, and physiology, and perhaps kinesiology?

Thanks for all the help guys.

Ok, here is the deal:

1. Becoming a professor is much harder than getting into medical school - check out where some of your profs went for their PhD. At research institutions, there are upward of 400 applicants per tenure track positions. The lesson to take from that is - don't bank on it. It is, of course, much easier to find a position teaching community college courses, or as a non tenure track lecturer, or in high school, but that's different.
2. The meat of your question - what's a math major like? IT'S AWESOME! It is by far the best decision I've made in college. You will be surrounded by quite possibly the smartest people in your university, most of whom are mad-awesome at solving complex problems. You will be in awe (I was). You will also avoid the pre-med idiots and the backstabbing. The major tends to be much more co-operative.
3. Is a math major for you? That's a tough question. Most people do badly in math because they've convinced themselves it's too hard and that they don't like it, rather than the subject being intrinsincally hard. If you put in the same hours in math as you would in a biochem class, I truly feel most people can succeed. However, if you are on the edge, I would recommend taking Calc I, Calc II and Calc III. Calc III is multivariable calc, and if you can get an A in that, you will do fine in a math major. It's not the hardest class, but if you can master the concepts and the work, you probably have the aptitude to be a math major. Spend the first two years taking pre-reqs and such while you go through the calculus sequence. After Calculus III, you can make that decision.
4. Overall, it's a personal decision, and no one will deny that numbers play a huge role in the admissions process. However, at interviews, my math major has been a huge topic of conversation, and almost everyone has been interested and impressed by it. Be prepared to work hard. If you get through it, it'll be unique, and much more important than that, I learned some amazing things, met some amazing people, and got my degree in an amazing subject. My PhD will probably be in Biophysics, or mathematical biology (e.g, modeling, etc) where I hope to make full use of my degree.

Good luck, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

 

[Lunasly]

Thank you so much for the advice.

Oh wow I have never known that about professors. Perhaps high school teaching would be fine as I really do love math. I think the best approach on this is to ask my math professor if I can attend one of her higher up classes. I believe she also teaches Number Theory so I will sit through a few classes of that and see I know I probably won't understand a word, but I will definitely get an idea of what I am up against.

I just don't want to be that average biology major because even though I do not have the intention on giving up on my goal to attend med school, I take it seriously when people say most people don't get in.

So perhaps I need to think of what my plan B is. Hmm...

 

[Endolas]

I'm a physics major considering a math minor, heh.

Math and physics majors do the best on the MCAT. 😉

 

[Lunasly]

I'm a physics major considering a math minor, heh.

Math and physics majors do the best on the MCAT. 😉

I am not suprised by that statement. 😛

Just one final question if you do not all mind, but what if I want to become a CRNA as a backup if Id o not get into medical school? I am also considering a mjor in chemistry and a minor in biology/kinesiology. Would that fullfill the requirments?

 

[Knitress]

The meat of your question - what's a math major like? IT'S AWESOME! It is by far the best decision I've made in college. You will be surrounded by quite possibly the smartest people in your university, most of whom are mad-awesome at solving complex problems. You will be in awe (I was). You will also avoid the pre-med idiots and the backstabbing. The major tends to be much more co-operative.

Seconded! Also, you should definitely take a proof class before you commit to being a math major. I really didn't feel like the intro calc sequence and a lot of the pure math courses (PROOFS!) were all that similar.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me!

 

[snowman1]

Honestly, if I could start freshman year again, I would have been a math or physics major because I enjoy these subjects so much more than biology. I think you are in the same boat as me, so don't be fooled into thinking that you have to be a bio major to go to med school. Do what you enjoy, and whatever you do, make sure you do well in it.

 

[Lunasly]

Thanks for the reply. 🙂

I am planning to go to a few Number Theory classes and just sort of listen and see if I enjoy it as I have to agree with you that from what others have been saying that the theoretical math is not like the basic calculus courses.

What do you guys think of say a Major in Chemistry/Minor in Law or a Major in Chemistry/Minor in Kinesiology or a major in Kinesiology/Minor in chemistry? These are all courses I am interested in and what do you think would be the best option to take incase I do not get into medical school. Everyone has been telling me Kinesiology is very fun and interesting.

 

[Lil Mick]

I have always enjoyed mathematics and physics (hope to do something with mathematical biology/biostatistics for my PhD) and had chemistry as one of my majors in university.

For mathematics, try getting through the calculus series and see if it is still enjoying/easy enough to do. If so, go for it. Chemistry will require these classes anyway (I believe it was through differential equations at my school), and you can buy some time to decide/shadow doctors/physicists... If you struggle with the conceptual side, it will be very hard to succeed in mathematics or physics, as it is mostly conceptual (since computers do a lot of our necessary calculations).

In chemistry, we did have some quantum mechanics/thermodynamics/quantum field theory in our physical chemistry classes, as well as a lot of derivations and calculations. Math and physics are also good minors for chemistry, as there can be some good overlap that would help you on the MCAT/applying to graduate school (whichever you decide).

As for law, I had considered that as well in university. However, much of law utilizes the same process of reasoning as the formulation of mathematical proofs and mathematical problem solving. In fact, some of the techniques from law/philosophy have been applied to mathematical proofs and methods in quantum physics.

All of that being said, if you can find something that fascinates you in which you also excel, your grades will be good, and you will be happy studying the amounts necessary to achieve your goals. Good luck, and feel free to send me a message if you want to talk more about a mathematics or chemistry major and what it would entail 🙂

 

[Lunasly]

I have always enjoyed mathematics and physics (hope to do something with mathematical biology/biostatistics for my PhD) and had chemistry as one of my majors in university.

For mathematics, try getting through the calculus series and see if it is still enjoying/easy enough to do. If so, go for it. Chemistry will require these classes anyway (I believe it was through differential equations at my school), and you can buy some time to decide/shadow doctors/physicists... If you struggle with the conceptual side, it will be very hard to succeed in mathematics or physics, as it is mostly conceptual (since computers do a lot of our necessary calculations).

In chemistry, we did have some quantum mechanics/thermodynamics/quantum field theory in our physical chemistry classes, as well as a lot of derivations and calculations. Math and physics are also good minors for chemistry, as there can be some good overlap that would help you on the MCAT/applying to graduate school (whichever you decide).

As for law, I had considered that as well in university. However, much of law utilizes the same process of reasoning as the formulation of mathematical proofs and mathematical problem solving. In fact, some of the techniques from law/philosophy have been applied to mathematical proofs and methods in quantum physics.

All of that being said, if you can find something that fascinates you in which you also excel, your grades will be good, and you will be happy studying the amounts necessary to achieve your goals. Good luck, and feel free to send me a message if you want to talk more about a mathematics or chemistry major and what it would entail 🙂

Great insight! I will definitely be going to a few of each of the classes just to get the idea of things and I will definietely PM you if I have any further questions.

Thank you.