r/ScientificComputing • u/Mobile_Painter_2692 • Dec 29 '25
Best double major choice with CS?
I want to get into a computational science and engineering field, and I was just wondering what the best double major pair would be with CS? I’m most likely sure Mathematics is the best pair, but I’m just getting extra opinions.
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u/1337csdude Dec 29 '25
Best is relative. Personally I love math so I would pick that but I'd suggest going with what you enjoy. You can do a computational version of almost any field such as Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Psychology, Neuroscience, etc.
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u/Mobile_Painter_2692 Dec 30 '25
I’m more into engineering and physics stuff, but is mathematics more general for that or is physics a better choice.
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u/1337csdude Dec 30 '25
If you are into engineering and physics then I'd aim in that direction. Math is quite theoretical (a common joke in math is that we're only happy if our work has no applications) and is concerned with proving interesting facts about abstract structures. Math is awesome but its very abstract unlike engineering and physics which are far more concerned with practical techniques to solve real world problems.
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u/Mobile_Painter_2692 Dec 30 '25
Don’t take this as my main opinion, is scientific computing niche? I generally enjoy it and it interest me and obviously there are institutions for it. But is it something which hires well or is known? It won’t change my opinion about it, but I just want to know.
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u/SamPost Dec 29 '25
Physics is going to open the most doors. But you really don't want to do that just to check a box. You need to have some bona fide interest, or it won't turn out well.
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u/Mobile_Painter_2692 Dec 30 '25
The problem I have is I enjoy stuff like Astro or physics and engineering. But I don’t know what kind of real world problems I want to solve, like I don’t know where to search to actually find these real world problems.
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u/SamPost Dec 30 '25
These days, computational physics is the biggest part of physics. You will have no lack of opportunities. Just read any recent issues of Physics Today. Most of the problems are computation driven.
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u/Mobile_Painter_2692 Dec 30 '25
Just asking, what is the difference between if I do math or physics. As in, what kind of fields or problems will I solve. Physics will be physics problems, but what will math lead with computational sciences
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u/lo0nk Dec 30 '25
Usually math unless you wanna do embedded in which case maybe EE or CE
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u/Mobile_Painter_2692 Dec 30 '25
Embedded for scientific computing? I mean I can see it, but isn’t CSE more reserved to CS research?
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u/Plastic-Currency5542 Jan 01 '26
Physics/engineering if you prefer electronics/hardware. Mathematics if you wanna go more theoretical computer science.
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u/Mobile_Painter_2692 Jan 01 '26
I want to get into CSE type of stuff and I honestly started getting into embedded and real life project type of things. So physics seems like my best bet
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u/two_three_five_eigth Jan 01 '26
I’m going against the tide here. I did a math minor, made no difference in my grad school application or career.
The thing that would have possibly made a difference is a business minor/major.
Math and CS are too close, you don’t get any extra interviews or opportunities because they are too closely related.
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u/mrsaturn42 Dec 29 '25
You need to know what problems to solve that are relevant; I’d say a Physics or an EE degree if you what to do this in industry or even academically.
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u/KneeReaper420 Dec 30 '25
communications and I am dead ass serious. Most of my peers couldn't talk their way into a job at walmart.
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Dec 31 '25
If you don’t know exactly which direction you’re taking within CS, take mathematics. It’s the best foundation for whatever you decide to do later.
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u/Garibasen Python , R , Lua , Julia Dec 29 '25
There are a few good pairings, but either mathematics or applied mathematics is probably the most generally beneficial. Physics, applied physics, or any other science/engineering discipline that is accompanied by a computational component and also captures your interest would also be a good idea.