The discussion focuses on the subjects required for pursuing a degree in physical chemistry, with participants exploring both undergraduate and graduate preparations. The conversation includes considerations of necessary mathematics, chemistry, and physics courses.
Participants generally agree on the necessity of calculus and differential equations for physical chemistry preparation, but there is some ambiguity regarding the specific physics courses required and the distinction between undergraduate and graduate studies.
There is a lack of consensus on the exact physics courses needed beyond basic mechanics and E&M, and the discussion does not resolve the question of whether quantum mechanics should be taken separately.
gravenewworld said:I'm not sure if you are talking about getting a Pchem degree as an undergraduate or a graduate student. There really is no "P chem" specific degree as an undergraduate, but if you want to set your self up to specialize in physical chem. as a grad student then you must take as many math courses as possible I would say. I think basic undergraduate mechanics and E&M should be all the physics background you would need. The rest of the physics needed will be taught to you in your P chem courses. The would be no need to take quantum mechanics as a phyiscs course and take the same thing again in a P chem course. The math, however is where most chem. students get stuck. Proper undergraduate preparation for P chem would be Calc 1-3 and an intro course to Diff. Eq. If you were going to specialize in P chem in grad. school I would say take as much math as possible. Calc 1-3, Real and Complex analysis, as much linear algebra as possible, Hilbert Spaces, some abstract algebra/group theory, partial differential eq. , the list can go on.