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Articles: Expert Advice
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How hard is it to double major?
g30rg3
Registered User Posts: 178 Junior Member
How much harder is it to double major than to just declare one major? How much more would the workload be if, say, I double majored in biochemistry and French than if I majored in biochemistry and minored in French?
Post edited by g30rg3 on
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Replies to: How hard is it to double major?
Gen Ed is probably 30ish credits, each major is probably around 30, and biochem probably has outside science requirements (physics? obviously chemistry/ochem). So maybe you'd have like 20-25 credits of optional classes while in college, depending on how much gen ed and your majors overlap.
If you do this route, I'd recommend taking as much gen eds as possible the first semester or two, so that if you change your mind at least your credits are useful.
If you double major in East Asian studies and Biochemistry, I dont think you'll have many overlapping classes
I don't know how much 'harder' it will be, but it will certainly require more effort, more classes, and a larger workload.
I am planning on getting a BS in both Computer Science and Psychology. I'll have to fulfill all of the general education requirements of the university, the requirements of the college in which both of my majors are in (College of Science & Mathematics at my school), and then finally the requirements of both majors. It will probably take me an extra year or two, for which I am prepared.
It can also depend on what system your college uses. For example, I've heard a lot of people say that it's easier to double major at a school that's on the quarter system than at one that's on the semester system.
How many courses does a major typically require in the department? 10-12 out of your 40? You'll still have a significant amount of electives after double majoring.
A slightly more difficult challenge, depending on your school, is getting a double degree. For instance, if you want to get a BS in one major and a BA in another major, that would be a double degree. This sometimes might include a requirement of taking an inordinate amount of total and upper level credit hours. However if you have 20-30 hrs of AP credit this may not be a problem at all.