Hey everyone,

I am in my last year of high school and reaching the time in which I have to select what I'm going to take in university. I'm basically looking for any advice I can get on whether or not I should major in math or physics (or perhaps, but less likely, astronomy). Whatever I majored in, I would be working towards a BSc.

I was decided on Physics at the end of last year, but this year have been doing a university math course that I am really enjoying - despite its difficulty. Calculus is my favourite class currently, but my marks have always been higher in physics. I know that Physics in university contains some math, but I don't know how much.

Also, if anyone has double-majored, or knows about double-majoring, I would be interested to know whether they think that would be a good idea.

I've been struggling with the exact same question, but I realized that I like physics, but I LOVE math. So, I'll major in math and minor in physics. The great thing about this siyuation is, is that physicists NEED math people. The biggest reason is data analysis. So, I'll get the best of both worlds this way. Plus, I'm not the best at coming up with an hypothesis on some type of phenomena. But I can EXPLAIN phenomena in the beautiful language of math.

My advice, Major in whichever you like more, but if is math, have a periphreal focus toward application of the math.

And about the whole double-majoring thing, give yourself a semester or two to think about it. If you make the transition well, then go for it. A;so, don't forget that college is about having fun, so have time for that. You're still REALLY young. You've got all the time in the world to get PHDs in both.

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There is more to math than calculus

What you may want to consider when going on to college is if you want to study applied or pure math.

Applied math would consist of the Calculus I-III sequence, (Ordinary and/or Partial) Differential Equations, Statistics, Vector Calculus, (Real and Complex) Analysis, etc. [Analysis may be pure math...]

Pure Math would consist of Abstract Algebra, Topology, Geometry, Number Theory, Logic, etc.

However, in physics, you use calculus quite often. When you get more advanced, though, you use more [advanced] math. For example, I'm taking Quantum Mechanics this fall, and we will be using Calculus III and Differential Equations a lot in the class. Also, the math required and the difficulty with which it is presented varies from what kind of physics you study (Mechanics, EM, Modern, etc).

I was considering a minor in Physics, but I don't have time to work on it.

If you plan on Double Majoring in Math and Physics, go for it. It would be worth it (since the majors will share some coursework required to get the degree(s)!!). Note that it may take longer than 4 years to complete both majors.

Also, if you decide to double major in math and physics, consider going into applied math...

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I have pondered that very question a number of times myself. I like physics very much, at least at the level that I've dealt with, but in the end I really have a deeper passion for math. It's something not only have a great deal on interest in, but really enjoy doing.

As Chris L T521 mentioned some courses will be shared between both degrees. Given that you are just about to start university I would take as many classes as you reasonably can in each, and go from there. If you really do love both, then a double major is surely the way to go. If one stands out over the other than maybe a major-minor combination would be better. And at that point you could very well have enough for a minor regardless.

As also mentioned Applied math is a great way to lean your mathematical interests towards other fields. You can always pursue mathematical physics.

First a lot of the advice you will have received in this thread is from people in the States, but I presume that University maths in NZ is more like that in the UK than the US.

What I would say is that you have no idea what University maths is about or will be like, get a book for these transitioning from school to University maths, a good example is "The Foundations of Mathematics" by Ian Stewart and David Tall, an alternative is "Mathematics: a Very Short Introduction" by Tim Gower (The former is probably better for your purposes).

You should have a better idea what University physics will be like so you probably will not need any transitionary reading for that.

CB

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Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.

Giordano Bruno