Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

Right now, I'm torn between doing physics and biology (especially biochem/molecular bio), so I don't want to go to a college that's super-way-so-much better in one of those subjects than the other (because then my choice of college would determine my choice of major, then of grad school, then of career, then of life in general, and then I'd die saying "curse you, Electron U, for being so much better at physics than biology!")

Er, so, anyway...I'm looking for a college that's top-notch in both of those subjects. Right now the colleges that I'm considering (or that my parents are making me consider) are UC Berk, LA, and SD, MIT, Caltech, Hahvahd, Princeton, Stanford, and Chicago, so input about those would be especially appreciated, but feel free to suggest something else. Oh, and if anyone knows about the feasibility of double-majoring or minoring (while still, y'know, getting a decently well-rounded education), in general or at any of those particular schools, that'd be great too.

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies!

By Jab93 (Jab93) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 05:56 pm: Edit

The truth:

You will get an excellent education in biology or physics from any school in the top 50.
It's not like biology and physics are obscure majors that only a few schools have solid departments... any school in the top 50 will have a strong program in these fields...

That said... have you considered majoring in biophysics? Now that is not as common, but it's an up-and-coming field... For example, understanding protein-folding is turning out to be even more critical than genetics...

By Oldman (Oldman) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 07:04 pm: Edit

How about a bit less competitive - say a Michigan, Wisconsin or Maryland?

By Cornellgrad02 (Cornellgrad02) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 09:10 pm: Edit

Cornell, UC Santa Cruz (phenomenal astrophysics group), UC Santa Barbara (again, very good on the physics side). Michigan and Wisconsin are both very good...U of Washington, Rice and the University of Texas...

to add a few to your list.

By Candi1657 (Candi1657) on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 12:30 am: Edit

Yale has a molecular biophysics and biochemistry (MB&B) major.

By Kk19131 (Kk19131) on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 01:05 am: Edit

Good lord, what the heck is molecular biophysics!!!??!!?

By Bunmushroom (Bunmushroom) on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 01:20 am: Edit

Stanford is supposed to be top notch in bio and Physics. Cal tech also.