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So here is my situation.

I'm an undergraduate physics major right now (second-year) at a moderately-good university. I've experienced a bit of analysis and algebra (and almost nothing in topology, which I should change), and I like it (I do study maths on my own time - I like [complex] analysis best). However, my style and preference gears me more towards physics than anything. I've experienced working under an experimental nuclear physics group for some time now, and I love it, but it has shown me that I'm probably better suited with theoretical physics. I'm not saying that because I've proven to some people to be a genius at mathematical physics [maybe I could become one :-) ], but rather because that's where my interests seem to lie.

But I've noticed something. A lot of smart students here and theoretical physics professors at various universities come from a double math & physics backgrounds (a few just from math), and I was wondering whether I should go down that same path. I've avoided it so far because I felt that with the topics I've learned on my own, I've gone more in depth and personal as compared with my classmates, and so I feel that it is in my best interest to continue to do so with my math courses. Also, I feel that getting the math degree will only take up time and my full-attention from my normally planned physics track.

On the other hand, I feel that I could probably learn quite a few things from my math classes that I wouldn't learn otherwise. Professors already know the material they're teaching, so they typically know what to teach you. On top of that, if I wanted to enter a theoretical physics program for graduate school, I might have more of a chance of being considered with that extra degree.

Does getting a double degree in mathematics and physics better increase your chances of being admitted to a graduate program in theoretical/mathematical physics?

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Arturo don Juan
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    How about combining formal lectures and self-study together and then you get the best of the both worlds? If you are already capable of learning higher mathematics on your own then taking a course will probably not add any considerable extra workload for you. – Drecate Dec 03 '14 at 23:31
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    If you get a 2nd degree in math, you'd probably have to do research for a thesis and perhaps that's where your self studying skills could really show so yeah I would say with and undergrad mathdegree, you would have demonstrated ability to do basic research. I'd like to believe math research is different from physics research. Disclaimer: math grad student here with no research experience in undergrad – BCLC Dec 06 '14 at 16:57
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    Then again if your undergrad thesis is on theoretical/mathematical physics, what's really the point of getting a 2nd degree? You'll learn the math you need in physics BS or MS. Maybe a few extra courses will help but a 2nd degree seems kind of over doing. However, if you are passionate about math as you are physics,want a 2nd degree and can handle the work load and it doesn't conflict with your passion for physics, go ahead! – BCLC Dec 06 '14 at 17:02
  • The quesiton asks about a double major. In the US, this is not a second degree. – Anonymous Physicist Dec 07 '14 at 04:49
  • As an experimentalist, I have not found the analysis I studied as an undergraduate very useful. Group theory is useful. It seems to me that theoretical physics and nuclear physics are not well funded in the US compared to other branches of physics. – Anonymous Physicist Dec 07 '14 at 05:05
  • Related from the "other" side (coming from math): For a future in physics, should I pursue a dual major as opposed to just taking extra physics courses in mathematics degree? – Stephan Kolassa Dec 10 '14 at 08:07
  • @AnonymousPhysicist What is the difference? Finishing 2 majors gives 2 bachelor's degrees right? – BCLC Feb 14 '15 at 20:22
  • @BCLC no, a major is only part of a degree in the US. If you get a double major, you have fulfilled the requirement to complete a major twice, but you have not completed the other degree requirements twice. – Anonymous Physicist Feb 15 '15 at 00:21
  • @Drecate Your insight is not helpful. If you're capable of a large additional load of formal lectures and self-study, you may as well get A letter grades for it and a major in math for free. Using the word "self-study" doesn't magically add 20 hours to the week that coursework does not have access to. –  Oct 13 '15 at 23:39
  • @AnonymousPhysicist My experience is different universities handle this differently. Some universities seem to only award one degree to graduates, regardless of number of majors. Some seem to award 2 pieces of paper, although whether this really counts as 2 degrees, I can't say. – Kevin Driscoll Oct 14 '15 at 05:30
  • I would also add that depending on the physics you want to do, some programming / computer science courses might do you good too. For numerical topics as: conformal bootstrap, S-Matrix bootstrap, Complexity/Gravity/Tensor Neworks, quantum computing (IT from Qubit related things). – Kvothe Feb 11 '21 at 19:30

2 Answers2

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Obtaining a double major is helpful but not necessary. In making your decision, consider what you would do instead of obtaining the double major. Research experience will count for more than a double major.

Anonymous Physicist
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    As a current PhD student in theoretical physics, I find that the concepts from upper-level math courses are often helpful, the theorems sometimes helpful, and the tools almost never helpful.

    For example, when working on research-level quantum mechanics one should have a good handle on what a Hilbert Space is. Sometimes theorems about Hilbert spaces are helpful, but it is rare. The methods use to prove such theorems basically never come up.

     – Kevin Driscoll Oct 14 '15 at 05:42
  • There is one additional small advantage to doing a double major in math or physics (or double bachelor degree in some countries). If you want to continue in academics you will quite likely find out you will want to continue in mathematics instead and will be able to do so. (This happens to be personal experience where none of the many double bachelor students I knew chose to continue in physics in the end. Some did in maths.) Also Math seems to have way better career opportunities in academia. (At least compared to theoretical physics.) – Kvothe Feb 11 '21 at 19:24
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Yeah, you probably need to know a lot of serious math to succeed in theoretical physics.

I wouldn't belabor the question of completing the major. If you know the stuff and complete the coursework it doesn't matter if you get the major or not.

I'd suggest talking with your physics advisors about what math they think you should take and know, and combine this with what you can learn from math professors about the curriculum. You will probably want to be in the most challenging math courses (e.g. if there's an honors class or track, or a graduate version of an undergraduate course, you probably want the more advanced one.) But your physics advisor might suggest you take a subset of the rigorous math courses needed for a major, and whether you'd be better off completing the major or taking more physics courses is up to you.

If there's a thesis requirement for a math major, that is probably less valuable to you than more research in physics.