Recent content by aworrystudent

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    Chem undergrad realizes interests lie in physics; do I have any hope?

    I strongly suggest you consult professors at physics department for career advice, not only your current supervisor at chemistry department. This could give you extra information. Since you are in Oxford, there should be excellent local people to ask. IMHO, the career path depends on what kind...
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    Is that OK to use cover letter template for Ph.D. application

    Thanks a lot. The application requires another statement of purpose, hopefully there is still some room for personalization...
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    Is that OK to use cover letter template for Ph.D. application

    Hi, I saw many templates for the cover letter of Ph.D. application. If I use them and do a little modification, is that OK or regard as a kind of plagiarization? Thank you very much in advance!
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    What are the recommended advanced math subjects for an electrical engineer?

    For physicists, usually group theory and differential geometry come next.
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    Calc 2, Linear Algbera, PHY 1, Design class and Gen Chem 2, bad idea?

    Taking general chemistry course is probably a waste of time. Since all the foundations are physics, you can just read book by yourself.
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    An adult - become a mathematician in the UK

    At least, if you google 2(2+1) ÷ 2(2+1) the result is 9 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_operations#cite_note-5 both multiplication and division belong to level 3
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    An adult - become a mathematician in the UK

    If I read 2(2+1) ÷ 2(2+1) as 2*(2+1) ÷ 2*(2+1) =2 * 3 ÷2*3 = 6÷2*3 = 3*3 = 9
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    An adult - become a mathematician in the UK

    ref http://mathoverflow.net/questions/7120/too-old-for-advanced-mathematics
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    An adult - become a mathematician in the UK

    The notation may be a little confusing 4(a+b)^3/2(a+b)^2 in Wolfram alpha reads 4*(a+b)^3 * 1/2 * (a+b)^2 = 2 * (a+b)^5
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    An adult - become a mathematician in the UK

    Agree. Nevertheless, basic algebra is necessary.
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    Recommend Quantum Mechanics texts

    Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by David J Griffiths Modern Quantum Mechanics by J. J. Sakurai Personally I do not recommend Weinberg's book as a textbook... because the notation is so hard to handle... it may better to serve as an important reference...
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    What background one needs to have to study QFT?

    I heard from professors that for most interacting field theories (except phi^4 in 2+1 dimension), it has not been shown that they are consistent with the Wightman axioms. And proven realistic 3+1 dimensional interacting field theories will not lead to new physics (SUSY, string?...) anyway
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    What background one needs to have to study QFT?

    You may need contour integral, Lagrange/Hamiltonian formulation of mechanics, classical electrodynamics especially specially relativity and the covariant formulation of Maxwell eqns, and a bit Lie group/algebra Unless you are really interested in mathematician's QFT, e.g. Quantum Field Theory...
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    Is Materials Science a good PhD route to pursue?

    I guess the job market for material science is better than high-energy physics, since there are so many practical stuff...
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    Do Physics and Engineering Majors Need Real Analysis?

    IMHO, real analysis is mainly for mathematical physics, like the stuff by Elliott Lieb...