First, the popular science major in the United States
1, biological
Biology in the United States generally belongs to the college of arts and sciences, and the degrees awarded can be BA and BS. Bachelor, a liberal arts major, focuses on liberal notification education, while Bachelor of Science mainly lays a solid foundation for future postgraduate study in related fields. It is generally not difficult to apply for biology in the United States, and it is one of the more common majors in the application of international students.
Undergraduate course: biochemistry, botany, environmental science, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, zoology, etc.
Postgraduate stage: anatomy, behavioral biology, bioinformatics, cell biology, evolutionary biology, developmental biology, genetics, immunology, swamp biology, mycology, ornithology, paleontology, parasitology, pharmacology, physiology (animals and plants), systematics (animals and plants), etc.
According to the different professional settings of American universities, the professional research direction is also different. For example, the main research fields of the Department of Biological Sciences of Stanford University are: (1) molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology and genetics; (2) Plant biology; (3) Population, evolutionary biology and ecology; (4) Marine biology.
2. Mathematics
Nowadays, mathematics plays a vital role in science, engineering, medicine and economy. The application of mathematics in these fields is usually called applied mathematics, and sometimes it will lead to new mathematical discoveries and the development of new disciplines. Mathematicians also study pure mathematics, which is the substantive content of mathematics itself and does not aim at any practical application. Although many studies started from pure mathematics, many applications were found in the process.
With the combination of mathematics and various majors in recent years, some schools have also set up more subdivided majors for students to choose from, such as operational research, mathematical economics, financial mathematics, risk management and so on.
Mathematics major, in the eyes of many people, the employment prospect after graduation is nothing more than being a teacher or doing scientific research, and the employment seems to be not wide. But these are still more traditional. Graduates majoring in mathematics are actually "hot potato" in the fields of finance, IT and scientific research, and the employment prospect of mathematics major is actually much broader than we thought.
3. Physics
190 1-20 15 in the past 100 years, 20 1 scientists who won the nobel prize in physics have been born in the world, including 87 from the United States! It can be said that the physical level of Americans is among the best in the world. Therefore, over the years, friends all over the world who are interested in studying and studying physics have undoubtedly regarded the United States as the first choice for studying abroad.
Curriculum design of physics major in American universities
Physics majors in American schools are basically affiliated to the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences has a special physics department. Since astronomy also belongs to physics, the Society of Physics and Astronomy was established together, collectively known as the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
4. Chemistry
Traditionally, chemistry has been divided into four fields: organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry and analytical chemistry. Organic chemistry studies carbon compounds, while inorganic chemistry studies all other elements. Physical chemistry studies the structure and properties of matter. Analytical chemistry has designed a program to identify and measure the components of complex mixtures.
Before focusing on a certain field, students majoring in chemistry usually study basic courses covering all four fields. And after focusing on a certain field, you may take some higher-end courses. For example, an advanced course to explore the synthetic methods of natural products; Instruments and technical courses for analyzing unknown compounds; Or tell you how to study molecular collisions with lasers. Besides, you need to study math, physics and even biology.
Second, the advantages of studying abroad in American science majors
1, resource concentration
There are few students, so small class teaching is adopted. For example, 37% of classes in California Institute of Technology are below 10, and teachers can give students more targeted guidance.
2. A generous scholarship
Because the funds are mainly concentrated in key disciplines, the probability of applying for the same major is higher than that of public universities.
3. Cutting-edge scientific research and strong teachers.
Emphasizing scientific research and the practical application of science and technology, many famous physicists and chemists have made discoveries that shocked the world at California Institute of Technology.
4. High employment rate
The United States has developed science and technology, and the employment rate of science and engineering graduates is also high. For example, Worcester Institute of Technology (WPI) has a very good recognition in the business community in New England, and the popularity of WPI students is second only to MIT.
Third, how to apply for a science major in the United States?
1, average score
For science undergraduates, there are not many opportunities for scientific research, especially in mathematics, physics and other majors. It is becoming more and more difficult for undergraduates to publish papers. Only by passing the special examinations of GPA and GRE can they prove their ability and professionalism. For GPA, professional GPA is more important than comprehensive GPA; GRE subjects are very important considerations besides GPA.
2.GRE+ TOEFL score is also very important.
GRE+ TOEFL score is also very important. Before 2000, very high GRE+ TOEFL scores can successfully make up for the lack of GPA of applicants. However, in recent years, China students have become more and more good at coping with ETS exams, and their GT scores are generally high, which leads to the decline in the importance and credibility of China students' GT scores in their applications, so GPA has become a more important factor than GT scores. But even so, GT scores are very important for science applications.
3. Professional matching
Another factor in the application of American science graduate students is the matching of directions. If your other conditions are very good and your research direction matches the other professor very well, then you will have a great possibility of successfully getting an Offer. On the contrary, if your GPA and GT scores are good, but your major direction doesn't match that of the other professor, then your chances of success are much smaller. For example, if you study condensed matter physics, you can contact the professors of quantum device physics and physical electronics, but if you contact the professor of quantum optics, I'm afraid the professor will not be interested in you. Therefore, for science applicants, the matching of major direction is another problem that needs attention.