in this post, we will discover if there are benefits to double majoring in physics and computer science. to give you finally a conclusion if it is worth it to do that or not.
can you double major in computer science and physics
It is possible to double major in computer science and physics. It is a good option for students who love both majors, but it’s not easy. It has many challenges, the courses are heavier, and you will be required to complete a lot of difficult topics in both physics and computer science.
In computer science, there are topics like data structure, machine learning, computer vision, and deep learning, and at the same time, you have to complete difficult physics courses like thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and relativity physics.
The most interesting thing to succeed in a computer science and physics double major is to be good at math. in both classes you would be required to complete the most difficult math courses you would find in college including:
- Calculus 1
- Calculus 2
- multivariable calculus
- differential equations
- linear algebra
These subjects are commonly taught in computer science and physics. You would be required to complete thesis topics in your first 2 years of the program. So you can study Physics topics like thermodynamics and quantum mechanics which are based on calculus. In addition linear algebra to study Study Search engines and other programming aspects.
So the course will be stressful and so demanding, but the question is, is it worth it to take a double major in these both topics? This is what we will discover in the next paragraph.
is a double major in computer science worth it
If you are looking to work as a software engineer, especially in unrelated Industries like web design, cryptography network engineering, data science, or system engineering It would likely be that a double major in physics and computer science would not be a good fit.
So the first thing you have to figure out is to check if a computer science domain or industry you are interested in requires physics or not.
For instance, if you are interested in working in the gaming industry, a double major in computer science and physics would make sense, because you would be applying physics like Newton’s mechanics, including speed acceleration, gravity, and so on.
On the other hand, if you are interested in working in data science( computer science branch), physics will not be so helpful in this case. you would be required to have solid knowledge in math like linear algebra and calculus more than have a physics background.
In this case, double majoring in math and computer science would be more valuable than doing it with physics.
In general, having a double major in physics and computer science would help you to become a good problem solver. In addition, build the resistance to complete stressful tasks a company hands you where a lot of people can get easily overwhelmed.
But you have to understand this one thing:
You don’t need to double major to become a good computer science engineer or physicist. Even if you are interested in working in related physics topics like gaming or computational physics.
You can take these courses individually, which would be more efficient than taking the whole physics major, avoiding some unrelated topics that you don’t need.
For instance, if you are interested in working at gaming you will not be required to study quantum mechanics or physics relativity. Both subjects are going to consume a lot of effort and time, you will only need to focus on physics kinematics.
If you find physics and computer science both interesting and love to study them, go for it. But you have to make sure to not risk your GPA being scattered between different topics you cannot afford.
Do computer science and physics overlap?
Computer science and physics have a lot of common overlaps, For instance, if you decide to minor or specialize in computer hardware designing computer boards or Electronics systems you will be required to have a physics background.
In this case, you will be required to have some background in electricity and magnetism to be able to design electronic circuits and program them.
You could also work in any newer industry called the Internet of Things, where you have to design Electronics boards or build softwares responsible for managing facilities from a distance like opening automatically home doors or lighting rooms using smartphones, it is similar to a Google home and Alexa devices.
We wrote a detailed article about how physics is used in computer science. You could check out no detailed information about this topic.
the pros of a double majoring in cs and physics
1 – it helpful for physics research
A double major in computer science and physics will have some benefits especially if you are an applied physics student who requires to have some background in programming, you would have a lot of keys and comfort to do research about physics topics.
For instance, You would have a background in C, C++, and Python which would be helpful to use some Electronics famous boards like Arduino or Raspberry Pi to build some mechatronics projects
2 – Physics is required in some computer science fields
There are two famous physics applications in computer science which are gaming and computer hardware.
If you are looking to work or become a gaming engineer you would likely benefit from doubling a major in physics and computer science. you will Be using physics kinematics to create a real-life environment where characters can move, jump, fall, etc.
If you have an intent to become a computer hardware designer you would be required to have solid foundations in electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. For instance, have awareness about current, voltage, electromagnetic field, conductivity, and so on.
the cons of a double major in cs and physics
1 – it takes a lot of hard work
to double majors in computer science and physics, would be a lot of hard work. In most cases Double majors are required to study for more than 4 years, sometimes you have to study for 4 years in addition to one semester and at other times you have to complete 5 years.
so it is not weird to find some students spending 6 years to complete this double major. this time might not be worth it and to be considered a loss of time and money.
If you are looking to get hired as soon as possible, it is better to take a singular major in computer science and complete it in just four years.
2- lack of internships
You might have a lack of internship. you will be Focusing to complete your courses making you ignore internships. It is a bad mistake, employers focus a lot and ask students about the experiences they have taken.
so you would likely be spending the summer studying some unrelated topics instead of building networks, and soft and practical skills helping to get a job after graduation.