Math/biology undergrad interested in engineering/physics graduate school

[jmatern320]

Hello,

 

I am about to start my final year as an undergrad at a fairly small private school. I will graduate with a BS in pure math, and a BA in biology. Originally, I was only studying mathematics. I took entry level physics my freshman year and had a bad experience with a professor; I ended up failing the lab, and it turned me off to the idea of studying physics as an undergrad. Not wanting to only have a degree in pure math, I decided to take a biology course and it turned into another bachelors degree. I enjoy biology, but I have always been more in more computational/quantitative science, and have recently been interested in pursuing a graduate degree in physics or engineering. 

 

For my last year as an undergrad, I have room in my schedule for two courses that can be whatever I want. There are two options that I am considering. The first is to retake the physics lab the first semester, and then take introductory physics II for my last semester. The second is to take computer science II and computer science III (I have already taken CS I). The physics option seems to be a bit more lucrative considering my goals, at least intuitively, but I know that programming skills are highly desirable in just about any field. 

 

My plan after graduating is to work in a lab somewhere and just do science. It will most likely be biology related, as that's what I have experience in, but I feel that the experience doing lab work and working with data will be useful for any graduate program. I don't plan on applying for graduate school for at least one year, but most likely two or more years. During those year(s), I also plan on taking more undergraduate physics/engineering courses to prepare myself. 

 

My questions: what is the general impression of students applying to graduate programs who have taken one or several gap years? What courses would you recommend taking in my final year as an undergrad, and also during the gap years? 

 

I would also be interested in any advice anyone has to offer about making this transition. Thank you very much!