Recent content by Steven Patton

I've heard 'Vector Calculus' used in two different contexts. Sometimes it's used as a blanket term for multivariable calculus (incorrectly, in my opinion), but most often, it refers to Vector fields, curl, divergence, Stokes' Theorem, etc. Make sure you know which one it is. Regardless of...

Ha! Of course, didn't expect cumbia. That'd be pretty lame. No, I don't mean the Walt Disney idea of happy community where everyone's your neighbour and all that bull... No, you are correct. Most campuses contain people from many groups, and with some effort and desire to interact, most...

Aside: I think the MathPhys program is only for masochists... That said, I've met some (successful) graduates of the program, including a TA I had last year. He's doing experimental physics. So also as you say, no one (not even grad school) really cares what your program is, so long as it's in...

This is true. My ambition is grad school, and my policy thus far has been to take the most comprehensive program I am eligible for. My transfer status (as yet un-initiated, but I'm taking care of that come Monday...) adds some factors; if indeed my math background is comparable to that of...

I agree. Certainly more diverse. This is part of my decision. Waterloo's program seems to be more built like an engineering program. For example, they seem to have many more lab components. Also, the UofT physics program doesn't make you take statistical mechanics, optics, and a couple other...

NOTE: I AM NOT A MATHPHYS SPECIALIST... I am but a lowly physics major. Those program requirements are also on the program page. Also, I think that UofT is noted somewhat as having a really tough math department. This doesn't necessarily mean good (doesn't mean not good, either), but yes, the...

The UofT program is "Mathematics and Physics (Science Program)". It's through the math department. It- oh, well, wait, I'll just show you: Mathematics and Physics(Science program) Consult the Associate Chairs, Undergraduate Studies, Department of Mathematics and Department of Physics...

I am so sorry... That is wayyyyy too long of a post.

Interesting. It seems there is a lot of overlap between our programs. MATH137 seems about the same as our MAT137. Actually, MAT137 is a full-year course, so I guess it's the same as MATH137 and MATH138. Content is identical, I think. Start off with proof by induction, contradiction, and...

Maybe. Depends on the person. Many people get 100% on exams all the way through. (Very few, though; they're the true geniuses...) If you work hard, study, you can do very well regardless. But you will hear many excuses from people who do poorly. Maybe they're true, maybe they're not. But that's...

You also really don't need to be worrying about whether you can wander around PI during your free time. The work done there on a daily basis is way, way, WAY beyond either your or my level. Also, in first year, your priorities will be more along the lines of: 1. Party 2...

Yeah, Stewart's books have proofs in the back. That's not what I'm talking about though. Spivak's proofs are right in the text. The proofs are what you are learning. Here's a breakdown of some first-year math courses: MAT135: Calculus I - mainly for Life Sciences kids (Chem, Bio, etc.). Not...

Hmm... Stewart... Well, Stewart's okay. I'm in MAT235 right now, and we use Stewart's Multivariable Calculus. To be honest, I really hate it. It isn't easy to read, it's too wordy; Stewart takes a really long time to say simple things. Many others in the class feel the same way, as have past...

If you're interested in the Math and Physics Specialist at U of T, there are two notes: 1. It is really tough math-wise. First year courses include MAT157 Intro to Real Analysis, and MAT240 Advanced Linear Algebra (I think it's 240, something like that...). 157 is a killer, unless you are...

Hey Kevin, I applied for admission to UofT, McMaster and Queens. All of those schools make you apply as either general arts or science first year (if I recall right), but you can enroll in any program after first year if you have met the requirements; usually, this just means 'pass all your...