No Maths/Physics. Advice?

[Calis]

Hi,

 

I am currently trying to decide what to do with my degree. I have been doing a Geology/Chem double major but have come to the realisation that my lack of university Maths/Physics may result in my inability to attend grad school in the US (I am international). I have done roughly up to Calc II done as a university equivalent to the hardest high school maths class which was the prerequisite for the Geology major and a required Geophysics course but I worry that they will not be enough. 

 

I have the option of dropping my Chemistry major and picking up the 1st year math classes (Calc, Linear Algebra, ODEs) however no Physic courses. 

 

Any advice/opinions on what I should do? 

 

Thanks. 

 

[TakeruK]

What do you want to do in grad school? If it's geochemistry or anything chemistry related, you're much better off keeping your chemistry major, in my opinion.

 

You should also check the requirements for the schools you're applying to. In my Earth science program, there is a first year grad course that is basically "ODEs and PDEs for earth science majors", so I don't think you necessarily have to worry about taking ODEs prior to grad school in my program. It is good that you have an equivalent to Calculus II. In my program, you may be required to take undergrad physics courses, depending on your exact degree program.

 

Overall, I think it's okay if you are lacking in something like math/physics if you are strong in other parts. Each program might have a different philosophy but my program seems to prefer people who are really good at X and want to come here to apply their abilities in X to solve problems in geology and planetary sciences. All the other stuff that they didn't pick up because they were studying X can be taught in grad school. For example, I had absolutely zero earth science background prior to grad school (not even in high school). But I had a lot of astrophysics and physics and math experience, and I just learned all of the earth science I needed here.

 

Again, it would depend on program, but if you're going to my school, you would be much better off with a double geology/chemistry major, and learn the math/physics here rather than dropping your chemistry in favour of low level math courses. However, if you can keep your chemistry major and squeeze in one or two math courses, it would be good too.

[GeoDUDE!]

if you could get linear or calc 3 (or both) while keeping your major that would be really great imo. 

[Calis]

Thanks for the replies!

 

What do you want to do in grad school? If it's geochemistry or anything chemistry related, you're much better off keeping your chemistry major, in my opinion.

 

You should also check the requirements for the schools you're applying to. In my Earth science program, there is a first year grad course that is basically "ODEs and PDEs for earth science majors", so I don't think you necessarily have to worry about taking ODEs prior to grad school in my program. It is good that you have an equivalent to Calculus II. In my program, you may be required to take undergrad physics courses, depending on your exact degree program.

 

Overall, I think it's okay if you are lacking in something like math/physics if you are strong in other parts. Each program might have a different philosophy but my program seems to prefer people who are really good at X and want to come here to apply their abilities in X to solve problems in geology and planetary sciences. All the other stuff that they didn't pick up because they were studying X can be taught in grad school. For example, I had absolutely zero earth science background prior to grad school (not even in high school). But I had a lot of astrophysics and physics and math experience, and I just learned all of the earth science I needed here.

 

I am most interested in Geochemistry or something very related to it. However I haven't chosen a specific area I want to study or school I want to go to as I still have another year of my degree and then I intend on doing Honours year. But I have a few ones I have been looking at and some of them have listed that it is preferred/essential/desired for applicants to have Maths/Physics which is what got me concerned. 

 

However it is nice to know that it isn't the end of the world to not have Maths/Physics although I still hope of finding some way to gain them. 

 

Again, it would depend on program, but if you're going to my school, you would be much better off with a double geology/chemistry major, and learn the math/physics here rather than dropping your chemistry in favour of low level math courses. However, if you can keep your chemistry major and squeeze in one or two math courses, it would be good too.

 

if you could get linear or calc 3 (or both) while keeping your major that would be really great imo. 

 

That is unfortunately my problem. I'm limited in the number of courses I can take in my degree and my double major only just fits into my degree due to some irrelevant courses I took during my first year when I didn't know what I wanted to do. My only option it seems would be to try find a short course with maths and/or physics.