minoring in physics

[mitochondreia]

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hello everyone, i’m a biochemistry major interested in a physics minor. physics fascinates me and i feel like it would enhance/compliment my bio and chem knowledge. i want to pursue some type of research in the vet field, but i know a DVM isn’t necessarily required and a PhD is fine. i am thinking a physics minor would help with the PhD, especially since one of the programs i’m looking into is biochemistry and molecular biophysics. my school also has a biophysics sequence under the physics minor.

however, my parents are skeptical. i graduate in three years with the biochem major alone. with the physics minor, it would add a fourth year. they don’t want me to stay in college for four years because of financial reasons. but i also don’t want my college experience to be cut short. additionally, i have a job so i can help my parents pay off student loans. my parents would only be supportive if the physics minor would benefit me career wise.

so, would it be beneficial to me academically or career-ly? or even applying to vet and/or grad school?

 

[JaynaAli]

Honestly, it probably wouldn’t add much or make you all that much more competitive. There’s very little applicable physics in vet med. I mean things like radiology and respiratory phys have some aspects of physics behind them, but the knowledge you need is extremely superficial. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing if it interests you. Ultimately, you’re an adult so it’s your choice with you want to do. However, if your parents do help you financially you may need to consider their wishes too. This is really between you and them and only you can decide if it’s “worth” it.

 

[supershorty]

From a veterinary perspective, a physics minor is not going to help you. I don't know that it would from a PhD perspective either - I'm not sure that a minor brings much value at all, and if it does, whether that value would be negated by needing to do an entire extra year of schooling for it.

In today's political climate when it comes to student loans, I would heavily consider what adding another year of schooling means financially. It's not something to take lightly, especially if you're considering advanced training that may or may not pay for your doing it.

 

[Tech_Penguin]

Is your research interest medical physics or biophysics. Bc if it’s the latter, cell biology would be much more useful for those grad programs. But if it’s the former, you actually do need a physics minor to get into those

 

[pp9]

hello everyone, i’m a biochemistry major interested in a physics minor. physics fascinates me and i feel like it would enhance/compliment my bio and chem knowledge. i want to pursue some type of research in the vet field, but i know a DVM isn’t necessarily required and a PhD is fine. i am thinking a physics minor would help with the PhD, especially since one of the programs i’m looking into is biochemistry and molecular biophysics. my school also has a biophysics sequence under the physics minor.

however, my parents are skeptical. i graduate in three years with the biochem major alone. with the physics minor, it would add a fourth year. they don’t want me to stay in college for four years because of financial reasons. but i also don’t want my college experience to be cut short. additionally, i have a job so i can help my parents pay off student loans. my parents would only be supportive if the physics minor would benefit me career wise.

so, would it be beneficial to me academically or career-ly? or even applying to vet and/or grad school?

I agree with what jayna and shorty have said, but also wanted to suggest that you ask someone who has a career/position you think you might be interested in about this, or the admissions teams for some graduate programs. A physics minor isn't helpful for the DVM, but we don't have anyone on here with a PhD (who is also physics-focused) that would be able to give you a solid answer. I would think having heavy research experience is more important than a minor here, but I haven't been down this road myself

Edit: Might also be worth venturing over to Physician Scientists ?? I've never been on this forum in my life/don't know their culture or vibes but this group might have some input on the PhD stuff, even if they are MD/DO focused

 

[supershorty]

Edit: Might also be worth venturing over to Physician Scientists ?? I've never been on this forum in my life/don't know their culture or vibes but this group might have some input on the PhD stuff, even if they are MD/DO focused

That forum is specifically for people doing MD/PhD or DO/PhD programs, so I'm not sure they'd be able to give OP a lot of help on this front.

OP, I think your best bet is going to be talking to some of your physics professors to see what they think in regards to a PhD.

 

[battie]

Maybe going over to that forum would give the OP clarity on if the DVM is even necessary too. Not the first time I would encourage someone to become a human doc over animal doc.