Dual Major

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Orion952

5-Year Member
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Jan 16, 2011
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Hey, I'm kinda new here, but I was wondering how possible would it be to get a Dual Major in Physics and Math? I know most colleges make you take a fair amount of math with the physics degree anyway, so I figure it wouldn't be as difficult as some dual majors. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of situation?
 
Pretty tough, if at all possible. Others may clarify/confirm. There are so many required courses outside one's major that it is very difficult, perhaps "impossible?", to find enough slots to be able to pick up enough courses. Conversely, even as a math major and a few course validations, you could pick up plenty more physics. A minor might be much more doable.
 
Back in the day, a youngster in my company was on track to double in physics and math, but it's very difficult. He had validated all three semesters of calc and one semester each of plebe chemistry and physics; I'm not sure that it would have been possible otherwise.

It may be possible, hypothetically - if the stars align and you're wearing your lucky socks - but the more pertinent question may be, why would you want or need to double-major, especially in such closely related fields? There are other opportunities to improve your intellectual and professional credentials, such as the Trident Scholar program, co-ops and internships, even the opportunity to complete some graduate-school coursework while still a mid. Truly outstanding mids can apply for Fullbright, Truman, Marshall, Rhodes, and other prestigious scholarships and fellowships.
 
I'm at the academy right now and I have to say that unless you validate a lot of classes you are going to hate your life because it will be rare that you have a semester throughout your time at the academy where you take under 21 credits.

Physics and Math are somewhat similar but not like some of the more do-able double majors like Computer/Electrical Engineering and Computer Science/ Information Technology where the two majors share many of the same classes and I just went and looked at there appears to be no overlap between the two programs.

That said, you might be able to pull off heavy class loads particularly if you are good in mathematics because it will make the physics classes much easier.

-Go Navy, Beat Army FREE19
 
I am aware that there are a lot of required courses that USNA gives you, and the credit load is really high. But as you said, Physics and Math are fairly similar, but with the other colleges I visited, when you looked at the physics track they gave enough math courses to have a minor in mathematics. I would assume it is somewhat similar at the USNA, I figure if I'm going to try to Dual Major in anything I should do it with physics and math, seeing how I love both and am really good with them.
 
Orion952 said:
I am aware that there are a lot of required courses that USNA gives you, and the credit load is really high. But as you said, Physics and Math are fairly similar, but with the other colleges I visited, when you looked at the physics track they gave enough math courses to have a minor in mathematics. I would assume it is somewhat similar at the USNA, I figure if I'm going to try to Dual Major in anything I should do it with physics and math, seeing how I love both and am really good with them.
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Keep in mind that the Academy is not like other colleges in that there are other required demands on your time other than pure academics. You will have Military and athletic commitments that will easily eat up 4+ hours of each of your days. As you become an upperclassman leadership responsiblities will eat at your available time. Time is probably one of the most cherished comodities at the Academy.

Not saying it can't be done but my Mid tried it and she found it got old after a few semisters of getting by on 3-4 hours of sleep.
 
Not sure how dual majors in Tier 2 major group is useful in the long term - seems like a lot to squeeze in when the end game is a commission and assignment to your first choice. For example, if you want to go into Nukes, majoring and doing well in Physics would probably be the way to go, but the added pressure of a dual in math probably wouldn't be worth it - you'd get to the same place in the end.
 
Alright that makes more sense.

Say for example if you went to a college for a year and re-applyed, could you validate those plebe courses if they are equivalent or close to the USNA's course (as long as you got good grades of course)
 
But.. why?

Orion952 said:
Alright that makes more sense.

Say for example if you went to a college for a year and re-applyed, could you validate those plebe courses if they are equivalent or close to the USNA's course (as long as you got good grades of course)
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But would an undergraduate double major degree really be worth the extra one year of your life still in school?
Double majoring sounds great, dont get me wrong, I'm even thinking about minoring in Spanish (because I can validate), but..
Think career. Where would a BS in the extra major get you that only on BS in one major wouldnt?:bsflagsmileyface:
Not to mention, it's relatively harder to get accepted to USNA, and then to get accepted, reject it, then get accepted the following year? :yikes:
You could always get multiple masters later on, and IMO, those degrees are what gets you advancements/promotion/ranks.
Just my two cents.
 
My Mid is dual majoring (Physics & English) because that's what interests her. Interest ==> enthusiasm ==> effort ==> grades ==> OOM ==> career choice.

(That said, yes, she validated almost all plebe year academic classes.)
 
IF you validate a lot and IF you really want to, you can double major in certain things/certain combinations. Typically, one or both is a Group III (humanities) major because you don't have to contend with two sets of labs that suck up your time.

My general advice (the above poster's mid notwithstanding) is don't do it. USNA is hard enough and, as others have said, that free time is great. Also, if I had the free time and the grades, I'd rather do VGEP. However, it is a personal decision.
 
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