A question to physicists: Should I have an advanced level of mathematics?

[N2020Ar]

Hi there.

I'd like to ask you, educated folk, a question.
I'm graduating from university next summer. My major is the law.
Although, all the time I keep some kind of passion for physics. Even though I am not a techie. I realize that I graduated as a dummy in math, physics, and chemistry due to my teachers. They're good at their business but not at teaching.

I have one year of more or less spare time. And I decided to dedicate myself to something new. I would really like to try to submit for a physics major at some university. I would like to employ myself in the space industry. Or maybe astrophysics. It's my dream.

The question is. In order to become a physicist/astrophysicist, should I have an advanced level of mathematics?

*Excuse me for my English. It is not my native language.

 

[PeroK]

The question is. In order to become a physicist/astrophysicist, should I have an advanced level of mathematics?

Yes. A large part of modern physics is applied mathematics. Astrophysics is perhaps the most competitive area (if you look on this forum everyone wants to be an astrophysicist) so you'll need a good PhD.

 

[N2020Ar]

A large part of modern physics is applied mathematics.

Do we can single out some subset of mathematics which is especially applied in physics?

 

[PeroK]

Do we can single out some subset of mathematics which is especially applied in physics?

Calculus, vector calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, complex numbers and some complex analysis. For astrophysics you would need differential geometry and tensor analysis (for GR). Probability and statistics would be useful. Plus a whole bunch of mathematical methods: Fourier Analysis, Laplace Transforms etc.

 

[N2020Ar]

Calculus, vector calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, complex numbers and some complex analysis. For astrophysics you would need differential geometry and tensor analysis (for GR). Probability and statistics would be useful. Plus a whole bunch of mathematical methods: Fourier Analysis, Laplace Transforms etc.

Thanks for your answer. I'll keep it in mind, that's exactly what i need.
One more question. Is it ever possible to meet a person who became a physicist or a mathematician not being a techie before?

 

[PeroK]

Thanks for your answer. I'll keep it in mind, that's exactly what i need.
One more question. Is it ever possible to meet a person who became a physicist or a mathematician not being a techie before?

I suspect they are few and far between. Like musicians who had no interest in music as a child. Maybe it happens.

If you want some serious advice: teach yourself Special Relativity (it doesn't need much maths). If you can do that you've got a chance.

http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~djmorin/Relativity Chap 1.pdf

Or:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6453378-special-relativity

 

[N2020Ar]

I suspect they are few and far between. Like musicians who had no interest in music as a child. Maybe it happens.

If you want some serious advice: teach yourself Special Relativity (it doesn't need much maths). If you can do that you've got a chance.

http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~djmorin/Relativity Chap 1.pdf

Or:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6453378-special-relativity

Thank you very much. I'll learn it.