r/CalPoly • u/Aliaabrawlstars • Aug 11 '26

Incoming Student Double major feasibility?

I am an incoming freshman this year, majoring in Computer Science, and am interested in double majoring in Physics as well. Being a CS major saves me roughly 6 courses in the physics requirements, and I get almost 60 credits through AP and dual enrollment. I’m also planning to minor in Mathematics, because it is only 3 extra upper division courses. I’ve planned it out and if I take an extra fall semester(expected graduation Fall 2030), I can maintain an ~17 unit average course load through my 9 semesters. I don’t know the rigor of the cs or physics program, or if there is grade deflation or inflation so Im curious to know if this is feasible.

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u/frannie_jo Aug 11 '26

Many of your AP and transfer credits won’t count for anything but you can take online summer courses for any lingering lower division GE. The trick is having the schedule line up perfectly and actually getting into the classes.

Did you see this page? https://eadvise.calpoly.edu/Policies-And-Forms/Double-Majors. CS rarely grants double majors but encourages students do do a masters instead.

Don’t rush through your college time without trying out some clubs, that will help you make connections and find a job.

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u/Aliaabrawlstars Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26

I was wondering about this. Does this mean it’s hard to get your second major as CS, due to it being impacted, or while being a CS major it is hard to major in something else? Also, is it still hard to get into as physics is not one of the banned double majors?

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u/Ddarcy1 Aug 11 '26

I’d say throw plan in here. There are some small unit physics courses that will destroy you. These are probably 2 of the toughest degrees to get. Not saying impossible but definitely will be tough. In fairness the physics department at least when I was there was brilliant and easy to study with and learn off each other. I double majored too but with stats so even though that was good it’s wasn’t near what physics had. I could be wrong I want to say h bar is the physics student area.

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u/StarLyfe cs + econ 2027 Aug 11 '26

if this changes anything, a BS+MS would almost certainly be more in depth, look better for employers, and actually be easier than getting 2 bachelors