/sci/ - Science & Math

>>4390718
Thanks for your answers!
>Cooking and driving women away
Don't be ridiculous, women love a man who can cook.

Hello, gentlemen (and ladies) of /sci/. I have a few questions for which I've never really been able to get an answer, so I was wondering if you could clear some things up for me. Pick and choose whichever ones you feel most comfortable answering.

Thanks in advance.

>what is the difference between atheism, agnosticism and antitheism?
>why is there such a negative connotation to the word "nihilist", and why does it sound synonymous to the word "hedonist" in most contexts?
>why hasn't there been a more "metric" SI unit of time? The second is fine, but sixty seconds make a minute, sixty minutes make an hour and twenty-four hours make a day. Why not use a unit that follows the standard "powers-of-ten" paradigm?
>why hasn't there been proliferation of "logical" languages such as Lojban in the scientific community? I understand cultural preservation, but science isn't exactly a cultural thing (please correct me if I'm wrong).
>does light exist in the vacuum of space because of its wave-particle duality? There is no medium through which the waves can move (because it's a vacuum), right?

And a couple more questions, just because I personally find all of you really interesting:
>how was your day?
>what are your skills?

>>4387742
That's terrifying.

>>4387717
Can I just get these from their websites?

>>4387724
>I find I might be spending maybe 2 to 3 times more time on school work/studying then my other non engineering/science friends (partly because I have to take more courses than are more difficult).
If you don't mind me asking, could you tell me what courses you're taking this year?

>>4387704
Yeah, Calc 1 definitely isn't enough. Thanks so much for your help in this thread!

>>4387686
Thanks!

>>4387683
>Judging by your two dream professions you just want something with a fancy name and some prestige on the side.
Haha, no, I've just always been interested in the brain and in physics.

>Let yourself grow up a little and watch how you will change as well.
This is very good advice, thanks. I've wanted to be different things in the past (e.g., a neuroscientist) but I've never really wavered from wanting to be a doctor of some sort. At the same time, though, I can't imagine life without studying physics in some way. I'm also interested in sociology and psychology, but not as a potential doctorate.
I'm a commitment-phobe when it comes to deciding what I want to learn because, quite frankly, I'd like to learn -everything-.

>Get good grades, do well on the MCAT, volunteer, research, and get letters of recommendation, you will be fine. Good luck
Thanks!

>>4387661
Er, yes...? Is that relevant?

>>4387673
That explanation made me smile. How is the workload? What level of maths is required? I've taken Calc 1 already, but I don't think that'll be enough.

>>4387662
Sorry, I don't understand what you mean.

>>4387655
I meant the time required to obtain the degree. Sorry for not being too clear about that.

>>4387646
>All I can tell you about is engineering, since that's what I do.
Would you possibly be able to tell me a bit more about that?

>>4387649
>Go into college with an open mind.
There are different universities I'd like to attend for different majors, however. MIT for engineering, Caltech for physics and Stanford for medical. That's why I think I need to make the decision before I'm actually in university.

>>4387640
>From what I know about the premeds at the university, it basically sucks a lot. There is no end to the suckage.
I'm currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program and I've experienced my fair share of "suckage", so I'm fairly desensitized to it.
Regarding the longevity of the process of obtaining a medical degree -- how is it compared to a Ph.D or a D.Eng?

>>4387641
I understand. Thanks for the clarification!

>>4387636
>Most pre-meds start off not knowing what the fuck a doctor's life is like, and many are disappointed or surprised when they find out.
To what sorts of surprises/disappointments are you referring?

>>4387634
I'm not sure I follow -- could you please expand on that?

>>4387623
>deciding on a particular field of medicine to study when you aren't even in medical school [is] nothing short of retarded
Could you please elaborate on this?

>>4387620
I'm not gay, and you make a fair point. Thanks for your input!

>>4387605
Thanks! I am not interested in women, so I'm afraid your second "pro" is voided.

How stressful do you think it would be?

/sci/, I need your help deciding what I will major in when I get to university.

I am currently interested in high-energy particle physics and neurosurgery. I am enamored with both fields and I cannot make a decision about what I want to study.

My past interests have included theoretical physics, astrophysics and mechanical engineering.

If you study any of the aforementioned subjects, please let me know about your experience majoring in it in university. Include both positives and negatives, if possible.

Thanks in advance!