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/sci/ - Science & Math

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1142127 No.1142127 [Reply] [Original]

Guys I need help. I think I'm fucked. As you'll be able to obviously tell, I am going to college next year.

I'm definitely majoring in Biology - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. But it's also definitely a double major.

I can choose physics or math as a double. I know next to nothing of physics; I am very very advanced (for my age) in math.

I would ideally like to do Biology and Physics with a Math minor. But its a fucking ridiculous course load.

Ideas? Help?

>> No.1142137

Why do you want physics or math majors? If you're going into biochemistry wouldn't chem be better?

>> No.1142144

>>1142137

What this guy said.

That seems like a weird mix.

>> No.1142151

>>1142137

It would, but I don't like it. Also, I've been doing research and talking to a lot of graduate students who have told me that you really don't need to go farther than organic chem for bio. And if it turns out that I do, I can always make that up.

>> No.1142150

What are you looking to do with your degree?

>> No.1142169

>>1142150

I'm definitely going to graduate school. My goal is to be a researcher in a biological field. But I have little experience with such fields, so it could be anything from genetics to proteomics.

>> No.1142192

>>1142151
I don't think such an advanced understanding of physics will help you, unless you know of some specific area that others have told you links to physics. Mathematics beyond some calculus and statistics probably won't help you either.

>> No.1142193

I'm doing a triple major. Physics requires you do most of a maths major anyway, so it's really not that much of a problem.

>> No.1142207

>>1142193

Triple major sounds insane.

But yea I'm not really worried about the math. I only need 4 courses total for a minor because I've got so much already. But I'm worried about bio and physics as majors...

>> No.1142227

I'm doing a major in women's studies and a minor in religious studies.
Does anyone know who I am?

>> No.1142232

>>1142169
Physics is probably your best bet of the two choices you've given. A double major in chemistry would obviously also be helpful, should you choose to go that route.

Your best bet is to speak to an advisor or gain a relationship with a professor once you make it to your campus, and spend your first semester taking classes that you'd have to take no matter what your double is.

>> No.1142234

Alright. Well I can see this is too specific for much help.

Anyone just wanna share their experiences with biology, physics or math majors? Double major with anything is a bonus. I'd appreciate it.

>> No.1142236

>>1142207
Hey I'm also majoring in Molecular Biology next year OP.

I don't really understand why you are going to do a double major and have a math minor.

>> No.1142251

>>1142207
My majors are computing/physics/maths.

I've done a great deal of bio outside of uni, and while I can't tell you the course load you might have, I can say that I haven't had a problem. Computing isn't as difficult as bio, but it is probably just as time consuming.

>> No.1142316
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1142316

>I am very very advanced (for my age) in math
How advanced are you?

Also, what university you're going to?

>> No.1142347

>>1142316

I'm going to a state school, which is all the more reason why I need to be beyond exemplary to get into a good grad school.

My math credits carry me through Calc III, Matrix Algebra and Differential Equations 1

>> No.1142372 [DELETED] 

>>1142123

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>> No.1142378

OP will be in geology in two years. gl op

>> No.1142379

I quad majored molecular bio/bioinformatics, physics, chemistry and math. Why? The particular field I wanted to do in bioinformatics overlaps with theoretical chemistry (need physics and chemistry obv. I got the math since it was pretty much done after physics and I got a minor in comp sci because it overlapped with bioinformatics. BUT it took me 6 years of undergrad so pick you battles wisely if you want out in 4 years.

>> No.1142383 [DELETED] 

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>> No.1142403

>>1142379
huh, i knew a guy who did molecular biology, physics and math. he did math because it was only like 2 more classes after all that physics but fuck knows why he even did physics in the first place...

>> No.1142405 [DELETED] 

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>> No.1142411

If you are dead set on choosing a double major (it's very difficult if you burn out or get in over your head), I would go with Biochemistry and Math. This will help you out tremendously if you want to go into research, a higher level degree, or a nice genetics-based job.

>> No.1142415

>>1142379
I call bullshit. Noone wastes that much time in undergrad when they could have been doing grad research WHILE taking the other classes.

>> No.1142427

OP is going to drop out middle of fall semester.

>> No.1142433

>>1142427
I bet he'll make it to thanksgiving break... at most...

>> No.1142434

Biochemistry is very difficult, and will provide a lot of education that will be helpful in genetics research based projects. Math will provide you with enough pain and unbearable stress that you will be a god of dealing with number crunching your data compared to everyone in your lab.

>> No.1142443

Our university made it easy for us to double major in Biochemistry and Genetics. That lasted a semester when I found out how much fucking chemistry biochem required.

>> No.1142453

Well you guys are making me feel really good about this.

>> No.1142482
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1142482

>>1142453
Just being realistic bro. You should go into it headstrong and try what you think will be awesome to accomplish. Just don't get too depressed when you take O chem, and realize you have 2+ years of even harder shit ahead of you. It all works out in the end if you keep your cool.

>> No.1142490

>>1142482

Sounds good.

Also how hard would it be to do some research on the side? Or is research more important than majors?

I'm very ignorant as far as graduate schools are concerned.

>> No.1142498

Personally, i'd stick with Bio and math for where you're going. Depending on your university, you can take additional classes for knowledge in chem if you need (or they may even be prerequisite)
I wouldn't say Physics would help you TOO much, but it could give insight and additional perspective. It very much depends on how your university is structured too though. Keep in mind, if you so desire you can complete another degree at a later date. It takes a bit of time, but science takes patience. =P

>> No.1142504

>>1142490
Your second semester, or during your sophmore year, after you get the hang of things, talk to your adviser about working in a lab. If you go to a decent, well funded public university, they usually have a lot of on campus research. And most of the professors in my department have an undergrad or two working for them 6-10 hours a week for credit or minimum wage. You clean dishes, and do the repetitive tasks. But you also absorb a lot of understanding how labs work and how to conduct research.

>> No.1142509

yea, what universities are you considering?

>> No.1142530

Physics major here. OP, physics is a very time-consuming major. You have no idea. Unless you're okay with completely eliminating sleep and recreational activities from your daily schedule, I strongly recommend that you do not pursue Physics as your second major.

I realize that telling you to give up on your dreams is the granddad of all dick moves, but unless you do then your college experience will be transformed into a living Hell. We're talking Wishmaster/Hellraiser type shit here.

>> No.1142538

>>1142509

I'm considering really top-notch universities, such as MIT and the likes.

>>1142504

Getting the research isn't the problem - I already have several connections. The problem would be finding the time to work there. Would research be important enough to take the place of a class or two is what I'd like to know

>> No.1142547

>>1142530

That's what I'm worried about. Bio I'm ok with, but looking at the physics curriculum...it looks a little daunting. But getting math as a second major would be a little too easy...I think...

>> No.1142551 [DELETED] 

>>1142126
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>> No.1142553

>>1142538
if the class is somewhat a blowoff class, yes. If it's something important you are recommended taking, no.

But you should try hard to work in a lab for at least a semester if not a year by the time you graduate. It will really help.

>> No.1142563

Well biochem and physics will certainly allow you to study biophysics and physical chemistry...

>> No.1142584
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1142584

OP, you took some kiddie-level Calc 3 and think you're "very very advanced in math" for your age? I bet you won't even make it through AMC 12.

I would suggest you tone it down. Otherwise you'll get to college, find that most students are way above you, and fall down hard. Just a friendly advice.

>> No.1142613
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1142613

A nice bit of advice is to find a half price books over the summer. Preferably one of the larger "warehouse" style ones, and search for old college textbooks. They update the editions so fast, that new editions come out every ~3 years or so. The old ones are still very helpful, and worthless to any college students. Pick 'em up cheap and read them! Try a section a day on your favorite subject.

>> No.1142617

>>1142584

I'm not trying to be arrogant.

>> No.1142640

>>1142613

I'm actually already doing this for physics and chem

>> No.1142647

if your going to do that much work do engineering so you can actually get a job when you graduate. biologists get shit jobs.

>> No.1142660 [DELETED] 

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>> No.1142697

>>1142547
I can't speak to mathematics. All I know is that I have 4 classes whose weekly homework assignments take 10+ hours apiece to complete. Don't even get me started on studying for exams. The only sane way to get a degree in physics and still double-major is to make mathematics your second major. The sole reason for this is because all of the math courses required for physics are also required for mathematics. At the end of the day, you only have to take another 4-6 math courses on top of your physics curriculum. I myself had considered doing this for a while, but I suck at proofs. I have a friend who's majoring in Mathematics. When I asked him what sort of things he was doing in 400-level math courses, he replied "proving addition". I don't care about that.

Anyways, that's the secret of double-majoring and NOT driving yourself to madness and/or suicide like one of Lovecraft's short stories: pick majors with a lot of overlap between their required courses. If you're solidly decided on biology, then some "nice" complementary majors would be things like biochemistry, physiology, zoology, etc. Picking up a pre-med concentration might be worth it if there's even a remote chance you'll want to go to med school.

>> No.1142710

bro, physics is math.

>> No.1142723

>>1142710
You sit on a throne of lies.

>> No.1142753

>>1142127
Yes. Chill the fuck out with your undergrad and put all your energy at grad school. God damn, jigglypuff.

>> No.1142772

>>1142723
do i now?

physics is nothing but a collection of equations and formulas

>> No.1142780

Okay, major in chem and math, you fucking retard. You can do a biochem concentration as well as a concentration in math. Physics is completely retarded, regardless of what 99% of /sci/fags will tell you. Chem is your best bet in the sciences; biochem is especially profitable.

This is all assuming you're gonna get at least a masters. If you're a BA-only kinda guy, study econ or applied math. Any other field you pretty much need a masters or PhD to make any money in.

>> No.1142795

>>1142723
In university one learns that biology is really chemistry, chemistry is really physics, physics is really math, and math is really hard.

>> No.1142797

>>1142780
>i have no idea what i'm talking about

>> No.1142815

Mathemathics and biology can work together without physics

>> No.1142819
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1142819

Besides Calculus, Differential Equations, and Statistics, what other math classes do Physics majors usually need to take?

>> No.1142835

Alright. I'm seriously thinking Bio/Math then...

I don't know. Thanks everyone.

>> No.1142844

>>1142835
mathematical modelling can really be applied to any science, and if you like biology then there you go

>> No.1142865

>>1142819
possibly non-linear dynamics, they do at my school

vector analysis ( just more calculus though, i suppose)
PDE's
linear algebra