<p>What can a CS/physics minor can do that a pure CS major cannot?
Are the things you learn in a physics class worth learning?</p>
<p>Or would an EE minor be better for CS?</p>
<p>I think there is someone who posts a lot on these threads that is doing a CS/Physics or Physics/CS type of major.</p>
<p>Having said that, Quantum Computing is the first thing that comes to mind as far as meshing Physics and CS…and probably some areas of computational engineering/science.</p>
<p>
Maybe take upper-division physics courses? If you mean “what do CS/physics minor” students <em>learn</em> that a pure CS major doesn’t, the answer is clear: intermediate to advanced physics. If you mean “what can intermediate/advanced physics allow you to do in the workforce”, the answer is that you’re probably not increasing your employability by getting a physics minor.</p>
<p>
You need to define “worth” for this to make any sense. Depending on what you believe, everything could be worth learning (knowledge is power, free the mind, etc.) or nothing is worth learning (cynics, nihilists, etc.)</p>
<p>
Depends entirely on what you want to do. An EE minor might be more or less useful than a minor in physics, depending on individual circumstances and preferences.</p>
<p>I think so.</p>
<p>@aegrisomnia, I mean if taking undergrad physics classes will help me understand how the natural world works better. I took the first physics class and really enjoyed it. I heard the next physics class deals with electromagnetism and is very different from the first physic class. </p>
<p>How are the rest of physics classes besides the two core classes?</p>
<p>For physics majors, it usually goes:</p>
<p>Intro calc-based sequence covering classical mechanics (which may or may not include gravity), electricity and magnetism, special relativity, quantum, nuclear, optics, and if there is time thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. This is a year-long sequence and spends much more time on classical mechanics and e&m than any other subject, you only get a taste of relativity and a very Mickey Mouse version of quantum. This sequence usually has a lab component for each thing you are learning in addition to lectures, exams, and homework.</p>
<p>Next comes a sequence on classical mechanics, which is sometimes coupled with mathematical methods (a dab of linear algebra, Fourier series, complex analysis, series and summations). At this point lab courses and lecture courses are decoupled, so this will just be homework and exams. It goes into a lot more detail than the intro classical mechanics, will cover more advanced topics like effective potentials, orbits, maybe Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, and even though this is classical mechanics this is usually where they stick some significant time on special relativity. The hardest part of this sequence is doing angular momentum in three dimensions. :::shudder:::</p>
<p>Next will come two sequences, one on intermediate quantum mechanics and t’other on intermediate e&m. The quantum class will be “real quantum” using bra-ket notation, linear algebra, etc. The e&m class will be “real e&m” using vector analysis, quite abstract and very mathy, not very physicsy.</p>
<p>At the same time you’ll take lab courses, at my school I took an error analysis class and am taking an electronics class. In the error analysis class we did things like write programs to simulate random events, experiments involving radioactivity, or simple stuff like throwing darts, etc. It’s all to learn about probability and statistics from a physics point of view. In the electronic class we build circuits and analyze them on the oscilloscope or computer. We built an AM radio, next project is some kind of microcontroller thing.</p>
<p>After that there are classes in optics, statistical mechanics/thermodynamics, theoretical mechanics (Lagrangian and Hamiltonian), and various other electives. And a senior lab and senior capstone course of some kind.</p>
<p>A physics minor will probably require the intro-sequence, the classical mechanics sequence (or part of it) and one or two other electives.</p>
<p>@Tom Servo</p>
<p>It’s been over 25 years since I had the Physics sequence but I do remember after the year-long first sequence, I took (as an elective as I was still an EE major at the time), Modern Physics. What I do not remember was what was in that course…I am thinking more of the “mickey mouse” intro to quantum.</p>
<p>Some schools do it your way, Globey. Darn shame more fluid mechanics/thermo isn’t covered since it is in the PGRE!</p>
<p>Also, I did the sequence under quarters where it went: classical mechanics, e&m, and modern physics (which covered nuclear, quantum, optics, and relativity).</p>
<p>Perhaps not, but the point of a minor is to additionally study something that you love. It’s hard to ever regret such an endeavor.</p>
<p>
Taking more classes in physics will, if anything, help you understand physics better, sure. Since physics is the study of (some) aspects of the natural world, the answer here is “yes”.</p>
<p>
Other posters have basically got it right: you’ll take courses that add breadth and depth to what you learned in your introductory physics courses. You’ll learn to employ higher-level mathematical tools to tackle harder physics problems, and will get more exposure to experimental and computational methods. Some places may even offer elective courses (which may have prerequisites a minor would satisfy) in topics not generally addressed in introductory sequences… solid state physics, plasma physics, nonlinear physics and chaos, quantum computing, etc.</p>