Major

[jaz_saini]

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I need to know what different types of majors people are doing? Are most people major's in science related fields? I need to know because iam think about majoring in computer science.. and going to med school.

 

[mpp]

Major in whatever you would like. Just be sure to take the courses required by medical schools, a minimum of one year of chemistry, one year of physics, one year of biology, and one year of organic chemistry.

 

[Mutterkuchen]

I majored in chemistry and regret it. I am very interested in international issues and wish that I would have majored in international affairs. I am making up for it by getting a masters in it.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

I'm double majoring in Spanish Language and Literature and Latin American Studies and I love it. You should major in whatever you want, I don't think it makes a difference to adcoms...although cosci is very time consuming while you're taking the mcats and applying....

 

[Diogenes]

Like everyone said, major in what you like. Yes it matters how you do in your pre-med courses, but this doesn't mean these type of courses need to be your major. In fact, med schools like all types. Nationwide, humanities majors have basically the same acceptance rates as science majors (actually a fraction of a percent higher, depending on the year). So if computer science floats your boat, go for it. Whatever you do, just do it well, and you'll be fine.

 

[none]

Yes, most people do major in science and, within that, most people major in the biological sciences (by a long-shot). There are good and bad points to every major in general and there are good and bad points to every major in relation to med school. For example, some will better help you prepare for the MCAT and for your future med school classes, but if you abhor the material, you'll get bad grades and not end up getting into med school. Think about where the opportunities are for independent research and what majors might impress adcoms/provide for interesting conversation. Also, consider if your major will make you employable if you never go to med school. Remember, most people don't end up getting in to a med school, at least not initially. It all balances out and it sounds like you need to spend some quality time with pre-med/major advisors at your school.

 

[PMPMD]

It's true, you *can* major in humanities and still get into med school, but I doubt that only taking the minimum pre-med requirements adequately prepares you for the MCAT. I'm majoring in Biomedical Engineering, and I know that taking 90+ hours of math and science courses definitely gave me an edge on that test. It's true that you could just study a lot more if you're a non-science major, but I think that having all those semesters worth of science made the difference for me. Comp.Sci. is a lot of math, which won't help too much on the MCAT, but it does involve a lot of problem solving, which will help. If that is what truly interests you, then go for it, because you will be more motivated to study for classes that you find interesting. How anyone could find advanced algorithms interesting is beyond me, but its your call. There have been previous posts on other threads by current CS students who complain about the amount of time they have to spend on your classes, so you might try searching for some of those.

 

[nebula7]

I'm sure if you just complete the pre-reqs you'll do fine, but like PatDaddy said, a lot of science courses you would take as say, a biology major, would be helpful on the MCAT. Maybe if you could fit in a few extra science classes (in addition to the minimum requirements) it would help you get a higher score. I was an English major for a while, and I'm sure I would have done fine in that, I just started missing the biology courses I had gotten used too, and switched back to bio.

 

[leorl]

Do a search using the keyword "major." This subject has been beaten to death.

 

[Droopy]

I majored in Electrical Engineering and have been an IT Manager for the past 3 years and I'll be going to Med School this fall. I only did the pre-req's also.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

I'll have to agree with some of the above posters. I felt that I was at a major disadvantage not having taken advanced science courses, in regards to the mcat.

 

[Tobtolip]

I'm currently a Pre-Med computer science and math major.

One thing I recommend, is that you think long and hard before choosing computer science as a major. Unlike many majors, computer science requires so many requisites that it takes up many of your elective slots, so switching majors later on can literally mean starting over from scratch(In fact, I have to attend summer sessions just to get in some humanities). It IS a lot of work, but I would say the difficulty is on par with that of other engineering majors (all of these applied sciences are very tough!).

I agree with the above posts in that you should make sure you enjoy programming before you get into it. Another thing, Computer Science courses are so time consuming that its hard to get everything done, especially with these pre-med courses hanging over your head. Also, more than likely you may have to attend a few summer sessions, because like I said earlier, you have very little room for electives. ( I personally have to attend 3 summer sessions if I want to graduate in 4.5 years)

Also, computer science is definately unique from any other major. The reason is that unlike many majors, you study computer science by tweaking and playing around with programs. Thus, you can't take mini study sessions (1-2 hours at a time), rather you have to have large blocks of committed time (3hours - all nighters). Lets just say that for me, all-nighters are not an uncommon thing when working on programs :wink:

There is one nice thing about computer science. Its courseload is so math intensive (reason why you have so little electives), that becoming a double major at most schools in computer science is relatively easy. At many institutions, 2 more math classes will get you a SECOND degree in math, which I would say may look impressive on any application, including your med school apps.

- Good Luck,
If you choose a computer science-premed route, I'd say good for you! It is a long and very VERY difficult route to medical school, but in the end I think it will pay off. Not only do you have a great degree as back up for med school, but I believe medical school admissions boards know the difficulty of the curriculum in computer science + math and will take that into consideration. Btw, don't fall into the trap by judging the major on the first intro cs class. Many people make this mistake, lets just say that comparing my computer science courses to other classes, classes like even my upper-divisional math and pre-med pre-reqs are a breeze compared to the upper-divisional CS.

 

[MacGyver]

I wouldnt put computer science in the same field as engineering. I'm not saying that either one is harder than the other, but they are different.

I was an electrical/computer engineering major. CS majors dont take as much math as engineers in general, but its still more than the standard premed route.

CS or electrical/computer engineering are good majors, as is biomedical engineering. All 3 will give you steady backup jobs in case you dont get accepted at first.

Droopy,

I'm curious as to why you chose IT over pure engineering. Is it just the money factor? It just seems to me that all the hard core math courses and engineering courses you took in colleg arent really being utilized in the IT arena.

 

[Tobtolip]

Well, I guess the math portion is dependent on what school you go to. For example, at my school computer science majors actually take more math classes than engineering majors (my friend (an electrical engineer) only has to take up to calc III + diff eq, whereas CS majors are required to take diff eq, matrix algebra, 2 computer programming combined wtih math classes, and abstract math (coupled with discrete structures). So in essence, take 2 more math courses and Pop* you get a math degree :wink: (hence CS is practically a math major wrapped up in a few cs courses)

I chose the IT because I wasnt originally a pre-med, it just sorta happened. As for choosing it over engineering, well, over here we have a digital logic/ circuitry course for CS majors, lets just say it discouraged me from going into computer or electrical engineering :wink: All those little wires going every which way trying to figure out what turns what on and what off... its what I call a headache!

Tob

 

[labrynth79]

I actually started out as a chemistry major but got smart and transferred out my sophomore year. Now I'm a double major in Molecular/Cell Biology (Biochem track) and Anthropology. I think it's a great combination and I love it! I just picked up the anthro randomly when I took and introduction to archaeology class. It was the easiest class that I had taken at that point (everything else was chem/physics/math), and completely different from biochem. I think you should choose a major that makes you happy, even if it isn't a hard-core science, because you have the rest of your life to specialize in medicine. I hope that you enjoy your undergrad experiences as much as possible and take classes that really interest you. Hopefully you'll still like the pre-med courses that you are in, but it would be great to take those art classes or history classes that you would never have time for when you graduate. That's my $0.02. 🙂

 

[Forensic Chick]

My freshman year I was a biology major with a chemistry minor. With my strong interest in law enforcement, I realized that it would take me forever to finish my undergrad double majoring. So, I took it a step further and looked into my university's "Special Major" requirements and I was able to integrate my pre-med requirements in with criminal justice classes for a major in Forensic Science. Whatever you decide to do, ensure that you are doing what you enjoy and always make sure to leave time for yourself. I know this is especially difficult, especially with the upper division bio and chem classes. Good luck!

 

[MacGyver]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Tobtolip:
•Well, I guess the math portion is dependent on what school you go to. For example, at my school computer science majors actually take more math classes than engineering majors (my friend (an electrical engineer) only has to take up to calc III + diff eq, whereas CS majors are required to take diff eq, matrix algebra, 2 computer programming combined wtih math classes, and abstract math (coupled with discrete structures). So in essence, take 2 more math courses and Pop* you get a math degree :wink: (hence CS is practically a math major wrapped up in a few cs courses)

I chose the IT because I wasnt originally a pre-med, it just sorta happened. As for choosing it over engineering, well, over here we have a digital logic/ circuitry course for CS majors, lets just say it discouraged me from going into computer or electrical engineering :wink: All those little wires going every which way trying to figure out what turns what on and what off... its what I call a headache!

Tob•••••Well, my experience is that calculus is used in virtually every electrical engineering course, whereas in computer science thats definitely not the case.

I'm surprised that EEs at your school dont have to take complex variables or linear algebra.

Math is integrated throughout the EE curriculum, whereas in most CS cources math is not used very much. So even though you technically might have to take more courses in the math department, over the whole major I'd say electrical engineers get exposed to a lot more math than CS majors, simply because the electrical engineer deals with it every day in class, no matter if its a EE class or a math class. I've taken enough CS courses for a minor, and the math is not nearly as pervasive. Sure, there was some extra stuff on the side, but CS majors dont rely on math as an every day tool when writing programs in C++

I'm curious as to why you took differential equations, since you would only need to know that if you plan on doing specialized computer programming in a scientific environment. I'd say 99% of all computer science professionals would never use that level of math.

Keep in mind that EE courses like linear systems, automatic control systems, and signals and systems are pretty much math courses, they are just not typically listed in the math department.

 

[Droopy]

•••quote:••• Originally posted by MacGyver
Droopy,

I'm curious as to why you chose IT over pure engineering. Is it just the money factor? It just seems to me that all the hard core math courses and engineering courses you took in colleg arent really being utilized in the IT arena. ••••MacGyver,
I definitely agree with you but I am currently in the military. I put in for a telecommunications job but the "Needs of the Service" dictated that I go to an IT job (not by choice). Since the military is so far behind the civilian sector in the arena of IT, they grab from the already limited field of EE's to fill the gaps. I did not have a grad degree in Comms or DSP, so I was stuck with the IT job. I had a steep learning curve at first, ramping up on UNIX, SQL, and ORACLE Forms, but I am getting by fine.
Although, I do miss the days of Auto Controls and Semiconductors......

 

[Tobtolip]

•••quote:••• Math is integrated throughout the EE curriculum, whereas in most CS cources math is not used very much. So even though you technically might have to take more courses in the math department, over the whole major I'd say electrical engineers get exposed to a lot more math than CS majors, simply because the electrical engineer deals with it every day in class, no matter if its a EE class or a math class. I've taken enough CS courses for a minor, and the math is not nearly as pervasive. Sure, there was some extra stuff on the side, but CS majors dont rely on math as an every day tool when writing programs in C++

I'm curious as to why you took differential equations, since you would only need to know that if you plan on doing specialized computer programming in a scientific environment. I'd say 99% of all computer science professionals would never use that level of math.
••••Well, I took diff eq cause I am also a math major. (double majoring in CS and Math) so its a requirement. Also, it counts as a cs elective I believe... it somehow integrates well with my cs curriculum is all i know =P

Actually, math is very much used in CS. Unfortunately, its not readily seen in any of the data structure courses taken by cs minors. Although you are probably correct when saying that calculus is not really used much in the cs curriculum (well unless you take the cs/math combined courses :wink: ), the abstract math is definately used heavily in the upper divisional courses. A simple example is when you have to model the efficiency/time of your program, abstract math helps you model certain equations that fit the efficiency of your program. Using that you can isolate where your problem areas are and maybe manipulate the abstract equation to perhaps find a more efficient way to programming (closely related to all the Big-OH stuff you do in the data struct courses).